Players who act once a hypothetical hand begins in a $1/$2 flop game – starting with the Under the Gun position – can either fold (surrender their hand without committing any chips to the pot), call (match the Big Blind amount and continue in the pot), or raise the Big Blind amount. In a $1/$2 Texas Hold’em game (assuming no antes), there will be $3 already in the pot before ANY player sees cards. This is because there is usually an amount in the pot – contributed by the Small Blind and Big Blind players – before the hand begins and before hole cards are dealt. In flop games such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha, the term “check” is NOT typically used for preflop action until it’s the Big Blind’s turn to act. If the person checking is the final player to act – on the final street of a hand, checking serves as a way to progress the hand to its conclusion (aka “showdown”). If the individual checking is the last person to act, checking will result in progressing the game so the next card(s) can be dealt. What is Checking in Poker?Ĭhecking in poker is a way to pass to another player.

In this article, we will explore the term “checking” in poker, what it means, and how it can both increase your overall profit and help keep you out of the proverbial poker gutter. If used correctly, checking in poker can enhance a professional player’s profit expectation while also serving as a means to reduce losses via pot control.Ĭhecking is only one option when betting in a poker game. Checking in poker – despite being a “non-action” move relative to betting – can be one of the most powerful tools in a poker player’s arsenal.

Poker fold check call raise