One more- pocket 8's in late position

[MoonOrb]

I couldn't tell from your post whether their were 3 callers including UTG or 2 including UTG. Either way, I'm more likely to call here than raise preflop. It's pretty sweet when you're holding a PP and the growing number of limpers encourages even more behind you.

I'd raise the flop here hoping to knock out whoever is still to act behind you (which looks like only the CO?). In any event, assuming that you're probably ahead here, I'd rather not have the CO hanging around holding an OC to the 8s. So I'd raise here to protect my hand.

If it turns out that UTG has a J here and bet out into the preflop raiser, than good for him. But I discount that since the typical play here seems to be check/call the flop and then c/r the turn. I'm thinking that with your preflop raise he put you on AK/AQ and is trying to grab the pot.

BTW, possible UTG holdings are 99/TT, too, it's not uncommon to see them limped UTG. But I think more often than not you're ahead here so I'd prefer to bet out and and protect the hand.