Check
To check is to decline to bet when no bet has been made, keeping the option to call or raise later in the round.
The simple explanation
A check means you pass the action without putting any chips in. You can only check when there is no bet in front of you. If another player then bets, you still have the chance to call, raise or fold when the action returns to you. A check is the same as betting zero, and it is not the same as folding. Using a check well is part of position. When you act last, a check back is a common way to take a free card or to avoid putting more money in with a medium hand.
A closer look
Checking is a normal part of strategy and not a sign of weakness. It can protect a medium-strength hand from a raise, give you a free card with a draw, or set a trap by planning to raise when someone bets. In position you can also check to control the size of the pot and reach showdown cheaply. When everyone checks, the betting round ends without chips being added and the next card is dealt. Players also check to induce bluffs, to keep the pot small with marginal hands, and to protect their range by checking strong hands sometimes. If you only check weak hands, opponents learn to bet whenever you check.
A practical example
Player B acts first after the flop and has no bet to face, so he checks. Player A acts next and also checks. The turn card is dealt with no chips added to the pot.
Full explanation
To check is to decline to bet when no bet has been made, keeping the option to call or raise later in the round.
Checking is a betting action that is available when nobody has bet in the current round. By checking, you stay in the hand without adding chips and pass the action to the next player. You show it by saying ‘check’ or tapping the table; online you click the check button.
The option remains open. If a later player bets, the action returns to you and you can call, raise or fold. This is why a check is not the same as folding, and it is the reason why check-raising is possible.
Players check for different reasons. A weak hand may want to see the next card without paying for it. A medium hand may want to avoid a raise. A strong hand may check to induce a bet or to plan a check-raise. Because several reasons are possible, a check by itself tells opponents little.
The word is also an old term for a poker chip, as in ‘player’s checks’. That meaning is rare now, but you may meet it in older books and from older dealers.
When you are first to act and check, the player behind you may bet. A check followed by a bet by the opponent gives you the choice to call, raise or fold, and this is where check-raising becomes possible.
A check
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB KKing of clubs (Kc)JJack of clubs (Jc) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB KKing of clubs (Kc)JJack of clubs (Jc) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB KKing of clubs (Kc)JJack of clubs (Jc) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
The flop is dealt. Player B acts first.
Board: 99 of diamonds (9d)55 of spades (5s)22 of hearts (2h)
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB KKing of clubs (Kc)JJack of clubs (Jc) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B has no bet to face, so he checks, keeping the option to call or raise later.
Board: 99 of diamonds (9d)55 of spades (5s)22 of hearts (2h)
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB KKing of clubs (Kc)JJack of clubs (Jc) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player A checks too. Both players have checked, so the round ends without any chips added.
Board: 99 of diamonds (9d)55 of spades (5s)22 of hearts (2h)
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of hearts (Ah)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB KKing of clubs (Kc)JJack of clubs (Jc) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.