first one, your implied odds were questionable, but with so many callers i think you're fine.

and, i would bet the absolute nuts with players like these. i think people overrate the idea of check/calling to get more money in. betting gets money in, not check/calling. true, with a flop like that, i'm sure that absolutely nobody hit, but i find people are more willing to go all-in on the flop with ace high than on the river. check/calling leads to no money going in on the flop and turn, then you gotta push the river and they fold. only time i'd do that is if the board was draw heavy, like i had jacks and it came JJQ, two suited. then i'd probably give it a try.