Ive been experimenting with this recently, playing it instead of check raise (Ill save that for the river). Seems to scream out "want a free card, but will pay if I have to", so I think its very useful in cases where for example you make a set on the flop and they make a pair+kicker or two pair and theres a flush draw on.. does anyone do this a lot? How well does it work?

I'll use it in situations where i flop a monster, with no draws out.

I think it works quite well against tight players in latter stages of tournaments.

For instance you have about 5k, they have 3.5k and three smaller stacks have around 1.5k each, the blinds are about 200/400 enough to do damage to the smaller stacks.

You get dealt K9 in LP and raise 1xBB everyone folds except the tight player who calls. The flop comes something like 34K and you know that all tournament this guy has been calling raises with any ace. You check he checks, the turn comes a blank, you check he checks, the river comes another blank. You bet 200, he calls 200 and you win the pot, him showing you A7suited

Obviously this doesnt work against some players, but against the right players ive found it to be very successful.