|
Whether you're playing Limit Hold 'em, Seven-Card Stud, Omaha or even No Limit Hold 'em, the check-raise can be a deadly weapon when used properly.
Check-raising is a play in which you pass your turn by not betting. That's the check. And it should suggest, because you didn't bet, that you don't have a strong hand. Once you check, and another player bets, you pounce out of the high grass with the raise.
It's a powerful but at times controversial tool.
In some home games, the check-raise is outlawed because of its deceptive nature.
Come on now, we're playing poker here!
While the play always has carried a negative connotation, I'm here to tell you that the check-raise is your friend.
There never should be rules that suggest you can't bluff or use deception to maximize your profit. It's all part of the game. If you and your friends play with a no check-raising rule, all you're doing is making the game less interesting.
The key thing about the check-raise is that it helps neutralize a positional disadvantage. While you should understand that it's better to act last, the check-raise is a weapon that can help an out-of-position player defend himself.
Let's say you're playing in a No Limit game where check-raising isn't allowed. You find yourself against an opponent on the river and check to him. Your opponent is in a very powerful position. He can bet whatever amount he wants without fear of a check-raise. That puts you, the out-of-position player, at a disadvantage.
Now suppose you're in the same situation, but this time check-raising is allowed. Once you check on the river, your opponent now must think twice about betting a marginal hand. He'd have to ask himself, "Is he waiting to check-raise me?"
Adding that element of fear helps shift power back to the player sitting out of position. It's still much better to be in position, but the check-raise helps to level the playing field.
It is especially effective against aggressive opponents who often bet when someone shows weakness by checking. An aggressive player always looks to steal pots. By checking to him, you let him bluff off his money before hitting him back with a raise.
Here's how the check-raise helps to improve your game:
• It neutralizes the positional disadvantage. Without the use of the check-raise, you're forced to play even more conservatively when out of position.
• It allows you to trap aggressive opponents for extra bets. Against aggressive competitors, you often will be able to win extra bets when they try to steal the pot after you've checked.
• It adds deception to your game. Check-raising is an excellent way to mix up your game and become less predictable. Sometimes you'll check with a strong hand, while other times you'll bet right out.
• It makes your opponents think twice about betting after you've checked. Once your opponents know that you're capable of raising after you've checked, it will often fool them into checking the best hand behind you, which many times earns you a valuable free card.
• It helps you knock out players of the pot. In situations where you want to reduce the field, a check-raise can help you force an opponent to fold a hand that he'd likely call for one bet, but would fold for two bets.
• It gives you another bluffing option. Because the check-raise often is seen as a powerful ploy played with a powerful hand, you also can use it as a sophisticated bluff against thinking opponents.
It makes poker more fun. So don't take it personally when a friend traps you with it. It's all part of the game.
|
|
|
