In poker, to check means to pass the action to the next player without placing a bet. This option is only available when no one has made a bet before you in the current betting round. By checking, you are essentially declaring that you do not wish to open the betting, but you also are not folding your hand.
Example
Imagine a No-Limit Hold’em game after the flop has been dealt. The player in the Small Blind (SB) is first to act.
- The SB looks at their cards and the board, deciding not to bet. They say, “Check.”
- The action moves to the Big Blind (BB). The BB also decides not to bet and says, “Check.”
- Next is the player on the Button (BTN). The BTN also checks.
Since all active players have checked, the betting round ends, and the dealer proceeds to deal the next community card (the Turn), without any money being added to the pot in that round. Had any player decided to bet instead of check, subsequent players would then have the option to call, raise, or fold.
Strategy Tip
Checking can be a powerful strategic tool, not just a sign of weakness.
- Pot Control: With a medium-strength hand, checking can keep the pot small, allowing you to see another card cheaply or avoid committing too many chips against a potentially stronger hand.
- Slow Playing: If you have a very strong hand, checking can be used to “slow play.” By not betting immediately, you might induce an opponent to bet later, allowing you to check-raise or simply call their bet and build a larger pot.
- Information Gathering: Checking, especially when out of position, allows you to see what your opponents will do. If they check behind you, it might indicate weakness; if they bet, it gives you more information about their hand strength.