Frequently Asked Questions: The Right Time To Check And Control The Game

So we already went through this a little, but no harm in a refresher. Checking is a poker action where you pass the turn to the next player without betting. It’s only possible when no bets have been made in the current betting round.

Checking usually makes sense in the following situations:

• Uncertain hand strength: if you’re unsure about the strength of your hand compared to possible hands your opponents might have
• Strategic play: to disguise the strength of your hand or induce a bluff from an opponent
• Pot control: when you want to keep the pot size manageable, especially with a decent but vulnerable hand

Not necessarily. Skilled players often use checking as a strategic move, either to deceive opponents or control the game’s pace. It can be part of a larger bluffing strategy or a way to gather information about opponents’ hands.

Now this might sound obvious, but newer players often get confused on this point. In simple terms, when you check, you remain in the hand without adding money to the pot. Folding, on the other hand, means you’re giving up your hand and any chance of winning the pot. A rookie mistake in in-person poker is folding when you could’ve checked instead. Luckily, you can’t make that mistake when you play online.

No. Once a player has placed a bet, checking is off the table. The only thing you can do is call, raise or fold. That’s because checking is only possible when no bets have been made in that round.

Yes. Checking too often or in the wrong situations can make you predictable and allow more aggressive players to take control. It’s crucial to balance your strategy between checking, betting and raising.

Absolutely! Checking can be used to mislead opponents about the strength of your hand. For example, checking with a strong hand can lure opponents into betting, allowing you to raise later and win a bigger pot.

Yes, it sure can. By checking, you can observe how other players react. This gives insights into their hand strength and playing style. This information is invaluable as the game progresses.