Quote Originally Posted by Spandrel
It was early on in the going, and I didn't have much of a read on the new guys, and I get dealt pocket 7's. I raise pre-flop pretty aggressively (I don't recall the exact amount), and I'm matched quickly by one of the new guys.

...so I throw in another bet that leaves me with only about 10% of my chips, and with 90% of my chips in this pot...
Sorry to dissent here, but I think it could have been played better. You say it was early on, and you didnt have a read on the new guys, yet 90% of your chips end up in the pot before the river comes.... That's a hellavuh lot to invest in a pot you are uncertain about, especially early on in the game.

The preflop raise I question question the most. It sounds like you are in EP with middle pocket pair. Why the huge preflop raise? I think EP raising with groups 5-7 hands like this is a big leak and will end up costing you in the long run.

Quote Originally Posted by Spandrel
I pretty much buy the big pot with my initial bet, and as expected, he calls.
You can't buy a pot if you are expecting the guy to call. All you can do is value bet (assuming you are certain you have the better hand).