Quick facts by PokerStrategy
- Checking is a move that allows you to pass the action to the next player without betting any chips.
- You cannot check when faced with a bet or raise, only when there have been no bets made so far during the round.
- Checking can be a very weak and passive play if used badly.
- Checking can be very useful in poker, particularly when it comes to controlling the size of the pot and occasionally for trapping.
What Is a Check in Poker?
A check in poker is a move that allows you to pass the action on to the next player without putting any chips in the middle. Essentially, it’s like betting zero. The next player in the betting order will then have the option to check or bet.
Checking is often used as a way to keep pots small or to avoid committing more chips to the pot. Be aware, though, that when checking from out of position, you may still be faced with bets or raises from opponents who are still to act.
Whether you’re playing at a live table or online, understanding when and how to check is an essential part of a solid strategy. This guide explains what checking means in poker, the rules for checking, and when it can be a smart move. With this information, you can use checking effectively at the best online poker sites.
When Can a Player Check
The main poker rule for checking is that you can only check when it is your turn to act and no bets have yet been made during the current betting round.
For example:
Action is on the flop, and Player A is first to act. They decide to check. No bets have yet been made on the flop, so Player B has the option to bet or check.
Whenever you are faced with a bet or raise, either when players act before you or when they bet after you check, checking will no longer be an option. You’ll have to decide whether to call, raise, or fold.
For example:
Action is on the flop, and Player A is first to act. They start with a bet. Player B cannot check. They must decide whether to call or raise the bet, or if not, fold their hand.
Examples of Checking in Poker
Checking for pot control:
Player A: K♣ J♣
Player B: ?
Board: A♠ K♣ 2♥ 3♣
Player B checks, and Player A makes a continuation bet in position on the flop, which Player B calls. The turn is a blank and doesn’t change much. Player B checks again. Player A could bet here with a pair of kings, but decides to slow down with a check. This prevents them from losing a big pot if Player B has a pair of aces and makes it easier to reach showdown with their medium strength hand.
Checking as a trap:
Player A: J♣ J♠
Player B: ?
Board: J♥ 5♠ 2♣
Player A has flopped a monster with a set of jacks, but there’s one problem. The board texture and action preflop make it unlikely that Player B has anything. Player A decides to check to allow Player B, who is known to be aggressive, to attack the perceived weakness with a bet. Player B bets the pot, and Player A calls. Checking here also gives Player B a chance to hit on the turn, which could result in even more value for the set of jacks.
Checking to check-raise:
Player A: T♥ 9♥
Player B: ?
Board: J♥ 8♠ 2♥
Player A has defended their big blind with a suited connector and has flopped both a straight and a flush draw. They check to raise, and Player B makes a half pot bet. Player A could just call here to see a turn with a reasonable price, but decides to ramp up the pressure by check-raising the draw. Player B folds, and Player A wins the pot.
Checking Preflop vs Checking Postflop
Checking preflop isn’t a huge part of poker. This is because bets have technically already been made by the small and big blind, who have kicked off the action before the cards have even been dealt by placing their blinds.
Every player who acts after the big blind is already faced with a bet. They must at least match the big blind by calling, raising, or folding their hand.
The only player who can check preflop is the player in the big blind. If one or more players limp and nobody raises, the big blind can either raise or check their option. Apart from this single situation, you won’t have to worry much about when to check preflop.
Checking happens much more frequently postflop and should be a part of your poker strategy for reasons we’ll soon explain. Whenever you’re first to act or when other players have checked before you, you’ll have the option to check postflop.
Strategic Checking in Poker
In terms of poker strategy, there’s a difference between checking from out of position versus checking from in position. The in-position player closes the action by checking, whereas the out-of-position player could still be faced with bets.
Position, therefore, is one of the determining factors when it comes to knowing how and when to check. For players both out of position and in position, the main purpose of checking is pot control.
- Pot control: The main reason to check in poker is to control the size of the pot, specifically to keep the pot small when you have a medium strength hand so that you can see the next card or make it to showdown. From out of position, checking allows you to check-call bets rather than risk being raised. In position, checking closes the betting round and takes the action straight to the next street or to showdown.
- Trapping: Checking often looks weak because you’re choosing not to put more chips in the middle. You can use this to your advantage by checking to disguise very strong hands and encourage opponents to bluff, particularly when you are out of position against an aggressive opponent. However, trapping is not always the best line, as you could end up missing value with strong hands. Only check to trap against aggressive opponents who are very likely to bluff.
- Checking to the raiser: Checking postflop to the raiser is a very common move in poker, such as when the button raises and the big blind defends. From out of position, it’s rare that you’ll lead out with a bet, as this is nearly never the optimal betting line. Instead, you’ll usually check pretty much your entire range and then decide how to act based on what move your opponent makes.
- Check-raising: Most of the time, checking is a passive action; however, there is one notable exception. When out of position, you can check with the intention of raising your opponent if they bet. This is known as check-raising and is useful both as a value bet and bluff, particularly as a semi-bluff with draws. Check-raising takes the initiative from your opponent and puts the pressure back on them.
Poker Checking Mistakes to Avoid
Poker strategy favours aggression, as aggressive actions like betting and raising allow you to gain chips when betting for value as well as win pots when bluffing. When poorly used, checking can become a negative and passive way to play poker.
Here are the main mistakes to avoid when it comes to checking:
- Missing value: It’s incredibly important to find value for your hands by betting and raising when you are ahead. Checking too often, even with medium-strength hands, will often result in missed value.
- Missing opportunities to bluff: If you always default to checking when you have a weak hand, draw, or complete air, then you’ll miss out on opportunities to win the pot by bluffing, especially from in position.
- Checking because you’re unsure: Checking can be a way for inexperienced players to avoid making decisions. If they are uncertain, they will often check-fold and never give it another thought. Checking should always be a conscious decision based on it being the best way to play the hand, not a lazy option when you don’t know what to do.
Check vs. Other Poker Actions
Depending on the action so far, you’ll have five possible actions to choose from when it’s your turn: check, call, bet, raise, and fold. You can only raise if a bet has been made, and you only need to consider folding when faced with a bet or raise.
If nobody else has bet so far during a betting round, your main concern will be whether to check or bet.
- Check when you want to keep the pot small.
- Bet when you want to either build the pot or bluff your opponent off it.
Understanding when to check versus bet is key to strong, balanced play.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if someone checks in poker?
If someone checks in poker, they don’t commit any chips to the pot, and the option to bet is passed to the next player. If the last player to act checks, the next street is dealt, or the hand goes to showdown.
What is the difference between a check and a fold?
If a player checks, they choose to pass on their betting option yet stay in the hand. This can only be done if no bets have been made on that street. If bets have been made and players don’t want to match the bet, they can forfeit their cards by folding.
What happens if everyone checks in poker?
The poker rules for checking say that if all players in the hand check the round of betting, the next street will be dealt. If everyone checks on the river, the hand goes to showdown.
Is checking always safe?
Checking in poker is always safe in the fact that you commit no more chips to the pot at that moment. However, it is not always the most effective move.