NL 200, squeeze with 44 on button?

[sneaker]

UTG is 35/15, CO is 19/16 with a preflop aggression factor of 4. Thought a squeeze play in this spot is fine, since UTGs range is wide and aggressive CO would raise very good hands.

Party Poker, $1/$2 NL Hold'em Cash Game, 5 Players
LeggoPoker.com - Hand History Converter

Hero (BTN): $196
SB: $352
BB: $220.55
UTG: $203
CO: $200

Pre-Flop: 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 4[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (BTN)
<font color="red">UTG raises to $7</font>, CO calls $7, <font color="red">Hero raises to $22</font>, 2 folds, UTG calls $15, CO calls $15

Flop: ($69) 5[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 3[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] 3[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (3 Players)
UTG checks, CO checks, <font color="red">Hero bets $40</font>, 2 folds


ok, my raise size is arguably not high enough, but a small raise is a good way to pretend a big pair?!
Thoughts on the hand, too risky with 44?

[Daddy Warbucks]

Don't love it but don't hate it. Agree that flop bet sizing is wrong.

[XHitman014]

I guess it's okay but set mining in a multiway pot in position is way more profitable.

[sneaker]

thought my preflop raise is too low, not flop bet. The flop is very dry, if i bet little more than half pot on flop most hands will fold. Maybe pocket pairs from 66-99 also fold, and if i get raised i can easily lay down my hand without having invested too much on conti bet.

[Daddy Warbucks]

Actually yeah, your squeeze should be at least 28.

And betting half pot will not definitely fold out overpairs. You can't make it look like a scared bet, so betting to fold is a bad reason. You have to bet like you would if you had the hand you're representing.