This all sounds like you're thinking critically about poker, which is good.

You seem to be asking, "What is the right way to play SC's?"

I made a lengthy and naive thread about said topic when I first started posting on FTR. It was largely a waste of time. The conclusion:

There is no single answer. Sorry. There is no "right" way to play poker. Every decision is based on your assumptions about what Villains can do and what they are doing.

Think about what their bets/checks/raises/folds mean about their range.

Think about how deep their stack is pre-flop before you consider playing a hand that needs implied odds to win.

Think about how likely you are to be in a HU pot. Multi-way pots are a good way to increase implied odds with drawing hands.