protecting my hand

[MD_]

You're absolutely right!
You would rather have that gutshot put in two bets incorrectly than fold correctly. The problem is that if you bet right out, there is no guarantee that it will get raised. He may call one bet corretly and never put in another one (on this round). You're trying to induce your opponent to make a mistake, or failing that, fold. Also, you have to consider the turn action. If you make the pot too large on the flop, they could be getting odds for a gutshot on the turn. Often, the best play is a checkraise, even if you know they will make the correct play and fold.

Furthermore, henceforth, and wheretofore, situations can arise where you can get an opponent to fold INCORRECTLY for two bets. Example: you are first with TT on a flop of 982. You checkraise the button who has A9. QJ will have a tough time calling, even though he should, if he could see what you were holding.

-MD