Check

Checking is poker's free option—passing the action without investing chips when no bet is required. While betting and raising project strength, checking projects ambiguity: you might have nothing, or you might be trapping with a monster. Strategic checking is essential for balanced play. It allows pot control with medium hands, sets up check-raises with strong hands, and gives up gracefully with weak hands. Understanding when to check versus bet—and what a check communicates—is fundamental to post-flop mastery.

Table of Contents

• What is Checking
• When to Check
• Check-Raise Strategy
• Checking in Position
• Checking Out of Position
• Check-Calling Strategy
• Common Checking Mistakes
• Advanced Checking

What is Checking {#what-is}

Definition

Checking passes the action to the next player without putting in chips.

Physical Gestures

When You Can Check

Check vs Other Actions

When to Check {#when}

Strategic Reasons to Check

Checking with Weak Hands

Checking with Strong Hands

Checking with Medium Hands

Board Texture and Checking

Check-Raise Strategy {#check-raise}

What is a Check-Raise?

Checking, then raising when someone bets.

You: Check
Opponent: Bets $50
You: Raise to $150

Why Check-Raise?

Check-Raise for Value

Check-Raise as Bluff

Check-Raise Math

Example: Check-raise to $150 over$50 bet into $100 pot

Check-Raise Frequency

Checking in Position {#in-position}

Checking Back

When you can bet but choose to check.

Benefits of Checking in Position

When to Check Back Strong Hands

Checking Back Draws

Position-Specific Guidelines

Checking Out of Position {#out-of-position}

The Default: Check to Raiser

When you called preflop and flop comes:

Why Check OOP?

When to Donk Bet (Lead OOP)

Exceptions to "check to the raiser":

OOP Check-Call Ranges

Check-Calling Strategy {#check-calling}

When to Check-Call

Check-Calling Lines

Flop: You check, opponent bets, you call
Turn: You check, opponent bets, you call
River: You check, opponent bets, you... decide

Multi-Street Check-Calling

Check-Call Frequencies

Check-Call vs Check-Raise

Common Checking Mistakes {#mistakes}

Mistake 1: Always Checking Weak

Problem: Check = weak, bet = strong pattern Solution: Check strong hands too (balance)

Mistake 2: Missing Value

Problem: Checking when betting extracts value Solution: Bet when worse hands call

Mistake 3: Checking Too Much OOP

Problem: Never taking initiative Solution: Lead sometimes (donk in spots)

Mistake 4: Checking Too Much IP

Problem: Missing thin value, giving free cards Solution: Bet more in position

Mistake 5: Check-Raising Too Much/Little

Mistake 6: Not Planning the Hand

Problem: Checking without future plan Solution: Know what you do if bet to

Advanced Checking {#advanced}

Range Checking

Sometimes check entire range:

Checking Frequency by Board

Delayed C-Bet

Check flop, bet turn:

Check-Check Lines

Both players check:

Reading Opponent's Checks

Exploiting Checking Patterns

GTO Checking Frequencies

Balanced approach:

Check Checklist {#checklist}

Before every check:

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