The last two replies are correct as well in my thinking - you protect a little bit on the back end by not reraising with just one pair - and if he's bluffing he's just going to fold anyway most likely. I am not quite sure why he didn't just put me allin since he came close - maybe a miscalculation on his part.

Anyhow - thanks for the kudos bdawg - this was one I was proud of because it was a 'play the player' type of hand rather than just flat out ABC poker. And I thought it was an interesting discussion hand in general - though I honestly expected a few more "fold he's got a boat" type responses