BRAG: (got lucky) A non-standard play (even for me)
 

I have been working hard at becoming a tighter player (regardless of what you are about to see;) ).

That is the disclaimer.

Now for the hand.

This was a funny table. If the first to act limped, everyone limped. If they made a standard raise, everyone called. So I was willing to limp, knowing a lot of people would come along for the ride...

PokerStars Cash game, $0.10/$0.25 No Limit, 9 players
Hand History by

SB: $24.85
BB: $4.75
UTG: $49.10
HERO (UTG+1): $35.30
MP1: $20.70
MP2: $19.30
MP3: $22.60
CO: $24.65
Button: $16.40

SB posts Small Blind $0.1
BB posts Big Blind $0.25

Pre-flop: 9:h: T:h: ($0.35)
UTG folds
HERO calls $0.2
MP1 calls $0.2
MP2 calls $0.2
MP3 folds
CO calls $0.2
Button folds
SB calls $0.1
BB checks

Flop: Q:s: J:s: 8:h: ($1.25) triple checked the board to make sure I was not seeing things
SB checks
BB checks
HERO checks being so far out of position and pretty sure that this flop hit someone, I checked hoping that someone would bet. And yes, if it had checked around I would have pooped my pants in anger
MP1 checks
MP2 bets $1.5
CO folds
SB folds
BB folds
HERO raises to $4.5 Thoughts on the amount?
MP1 folds
MP2 raises to $19 and is all-in thank you:)
HERO calls $14.5

Turn: Q:s: J:s: 8:h: 9:d: ($39.25)

River: Q:s: J:s: 8:h: 9:d: 6:c: ($39.25)

MP2 shows 8:c: 8:d:
HERO wins $37.65 with a straight Eight to Queen

EDIT: He had quite a few outs. He was 28% after the flop and 20% after the turn, if my approximations are correct

I prefer leading out at this flop (a lot)as it's very likely to have hit many of your opponents.

check-raising the flop with the extremely-vulnerable-nuts is pretty standard.

bet/shoving is good too

Yeah, I imagine that betting is also a lot less likely to shut down the action than a CR.

Clear check/raise IMO. A Bet will receive too much unwanted action with the vulnerable nuts

With this board and THIS MANY opponents (there were SIX people in this hand), I think there is a good chance someone will raise and you'll end up squeezing multiple callers when you shove over the top. That's why I prefer leading out. Typically though, with a reasonable number of people in the hand, yes, I like check raising with vulnerable nuts.