NL 2 Pocket 7s

I think here it would be the best option to check/fold flop - you have neighter iniciative nor position. You have called preflop for setminimg, on flop you didn't hit and there is J - an overcard and two opponents - so I would give up this hand, unless I would hit free card 7 on later streets.

(In your description is probably mistake - you didn't raise preflop)

Hi, VorpalF2F!

Well, check/folding the flop is seldom a mistake indeed. You haven't invested much, saw a cheap flop with the chance of hitting a monster hand, and now only have 2nd pair, playing out of position in a multiway pot with a possible flush draw on the board.

Depending on quite a few factors, betting with your 77 is *ok* (not "fistpumping great" but *ok*) to "protect", i.e., to make all overcards fold and not give them free cards. Problem is: it will be very tough to play turn and river, even if you have very good player/board/range reading skills. Vs. 2 opponents it is VERY thin though, especially since any of them can easily have a J. To avoid those problems altogether, I myself would just check/fold and save my chips for clearer spots.