Poker – 4 Steps to Pull off a Successful Check-Raise

A check-raise refers to the process of checking a bet knowing full well that if another player raises you will re-raise. Check-raises are a common occurrence in poker matches as they can be very effective. Check-raises help to lure in other players, to throw them off the scent, and then get maximum value for your hand. We reveal four things that will help you to pull off a solid check-raise.

1. Right Frame of Mind

Start your hand off on the right foot by ensuring that you are in a good position to play. If you have recently lost a big bet and feel like you may be on tilt then you should avoid playing that hand and instead wait until you calm down. Also go easy on the alcohol; booze will make you miss vital hints during the game.

2. Read the Other Players

A check-raise works well if you are confident that the other players hold marginal hands that they can easily fold. Make sure that you study players when they look at their cards to see if you can spot any tells that they are actually holding a monster hand. If you suspect they may have a great hand then you might want to take another approach.

3. Small Pots

This is not always the case, but check-raises typically work best with small pots. This is because of the amount that your opponents must call after the re-raise will often give them terrible pot-odds making it not worth their while.

4. Make a Strong Re-Raise

Once you have checked and the action has come back round to you, if you want to force them to fold it is important that you make a very strong re-raise. Typically at least double the amount of your opponent’s bet. On the other hand if you have a strong hand you may want to play it cool in order to keep them interested to see another card.

Follow the above steps and you will be well on your way to using a check-raise effectively. Avoid overusing this move in a single game though as other players will cotton on and it will lose you some credibility. Good luck!