Cleaning outs with a double gutshot draw.

[dozer]

Paradise Poker 1/2 Hold'em (9 handed) converter

Preflop: Hero is UTG+1 with A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img].
UTG calls, Hero calls, MP1 calls, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, MP3 calls, CO calls, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: (7 SB) 5[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], 4[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 7[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(7 players)</font>
SB checks, <font color="#CC3333">BB bets</font>, UTG calls, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises...

is a raise correct here to clean outs?
I raise here to try and make anyone with an 8 or a better Ace fold.

[cmwck]

Looks pretty standard to me, for the reasons you gave.

You would call here even if you ace outs were no good. Throwing in an extra small bet to increase your outs from 5.5 to 7.5 is definitely worth it (You're increasing your equity from about 22% to 30%, a 36% increase).

[grjr]

Got the back door nut flush goin on there too.