No reads on villian. Stacks $100.

1. I raise [8s] from UTG to $4 and BB calls.
2. Flop comes [9d][7c], BB leads $4 I raise to $16 and BB calls.
3. Turn , pot $40. BB checks. Hero?

Check

Am I only checking this because he might have Xd?

Would I still check if this was a rainbow.

I think having repped a huge hand on the flop, it makes more sense to bet out here.

The flop is very draw heavy - at $100 6 max a lot of folks will call down a flop raise with the str8 or flush draw here (thinking that you have an overpair and can be busted if they make it), but then will lay down to a 2/3-pot sized 2nd barrel on the turn (if the draw misses).

Unless he is an inveterate trapper his 1/2 pot lead into you makes little sense with a strong made hand (even with the J8 you would expect him to check raise or bet out more to protect vs the flush draw) and the call of the raise would make little sense for any weak made hand that isn't a draw apart from maybe A9.

I think he is on flush or str8 draw far more often than set, 2 pair or Ax here. I would probably fire about $30 in. Whilst you could check behind you aren't going to win a penny more if he misses and are giving a clear signal that you are weak here (or at least afraid of the Ace - he might put you on KK or QQ for example) so he could take it off you on the end if he's awake. By betting out again you are the one repping AT or better and I think he folds most of the time.

I would also bet.
Villains range is draws, both flushes and str8s, some combos draw/pair like JT or a QT, and sets.

You would charge the draws, and keep the initiative so you might not need to think what he has if beeting into you on river. You might also get a JT or QT to lay down their hand.

If he has a set you still have outs, and can get paid big if you hit on river.

So I would bet and reevaluate river if called.

IMO this is a great spot to bet. You have outs if called and can fold out a lot of hands that beat you like Tx.