Check‑Raise
A check-raise is checking first and then raising after an opponent bets in the same betting round.
The simple explanation
You check, an opponent bets, and then you raise. The move can show a very strong hand, or it can be a bluff. Because a check usually signals weakness, a check-raise often surprises the opponent who bet and forces a hard decision. Think of a check-raise as a plan with two steps: first you check to invite a bet, then you raise to punish it.
A closer look
Check-raising lets the player out of position build a bigger pot with a strong hand, and it can make an opponent fold a bet they were comfortable making. It is best against aggressive players who bet when checked to. Overusing it makes you predictable. In the past some games and communities considered check-raising bad form, and some poker rooms still post signs saying it is permitted. Against a player who bets very often when checked to, a check-raise can be profitable even with a hand that is not strong, because the opponent will often fold.
A practical example
Player B checks the flop. Player A bets 6, and Player B raises to 20. Because Player B checked first and then raised in the same round, this is a check-raise.
Full explanation
A check-raise is checking first and then raising after an opponent bets in the same betting round.
A check-raise is a deceptive play. The player first checks, then raises after another player bets in the same betting round. The word describes the whole sequence, not either action alone.
It is used with strong hands to win a bigger pot and also as a bluff, often against aggressive opponents who bet whenever everyone checks to them. When the check-raise is a bluff, the player hopes the bettor folds a hand that was ahead.
The move depends on someone else betting. If everyone checks, you simply see the next card, so players who plan to check-raise accept that risk. A player who acts last in a round cannot check-raise, because nobody acts after them.
Do not confuse it with a donk bet, in which the out-of-position player leads the betting, or with a check-call. Strong players mix check-raises with other actions so the move does not become a signal.
Before you plan a check-raise, ask whether the opponent will actually bet. If they usually check back, the plan loses value.
Alternative spelling: check raise, checkraise
A check-raise
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 KKing of spades (Ks)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB JJack of hearts (Jh)1010 of hearts (Th) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of spades (Ks)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB JJack of hearts (Jh)1010 of hearts (Th) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of spades (Ks)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB JJack of hearts (Jh)1010 of hearts (Th) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
The flop gives Player B a pair of jacks. Player B acts first.
Board: JJack of diamonds (Jd)77 of spades (7s)22 of clubs (2c)
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of spades (Ks)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB JJack of hearts (Jh)1010 of hearts (Th) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B checks first.
Board: JJack of diamonds (Jd)77 of spades (7s)22 of clubs (2c)
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of spades (Ks)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB JJack of hearts (Jh)1010 of hearts (Th) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Flop · Pot: 18 chips
Player A bets 6.
Board: JJack of diamonds (Jd)77 of spades (7s)22 of clubs (2c)
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of spades (Ks)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 188 · In this round 6
- Player B BB JJack of hearts (Jh)1010 of hearts (Th) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Flop · Pot: 38 chips
Player B raises to 20. He checked first and then raised in the same round: a check-raise.
Board: JJack of diamonds (Jd)77 of spades (7s)22 of clubs (2c)
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of spades (Ks)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 188 · In this round 6
- Player B BB JJack of hearts (Jh)1010 of hearts (Th) · Stack 174 · In this round 20
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.