Texas Holdem How to Check Raise
The “check raise” is exactly as it says, checking to an opponent before raising their bet. Its an extremely powerful poker move as well as an interesting one due to you showing weakness before a great amount of strength. Some people regard it as deceitful such is the fact that you are trapping your opponent. The check raise can be used both for value and also as a bluff. I personally believe in straight betting most of the time; however there are certain specific situations where I will use the check raise.
Check raising for value
When you hit a big hand, you will wish to get more money into the pot, the check raise is a great way to achieve this. The check raise should be used when certain criteria are matched for it to be the best play. It should used against multiple opponents and also when you are in first or early position.
Check raising a single opponent isn’t usually as effective because a single opponent is more likely to succeed in getting your opponent to fold rather than keeping opponents in the pot along with extra money. Its less likely if you check raise against two or more opponents that both will fold.
Its better to try to check raise in early position. This is due to the fact if you have more chance of someone betting behind you, allowing you to execute the raise.
When check raising for value you need to be sure to use the correct size of raise. You don’t want it to be too large to scare opponents away. In contract, min raising may give opponents the correct odds to call, see the next card, and possible out draw you. For this reason I only check raise for value when I my hand is extremely hard to beat on future streets.
Check raising as a bluff or semi bluff
Due to the extreme power of the check raise using it as a bluff can be very useful. If you feel this is the line you want to take then make sure certain criteria are met before making this play.
Obviously make sure you are first to act. You need to be able to check first to be able to execute a check raise.
You should be confident your opponent has a marginal hand. If your opponent has a good hand then a check raise certainly will not make them fold, however if they hold a marginal hand then a check raise will make most types of opponents fold.
I would strongly recommend not trying this move against a calling station. A calling station just cannot fold any marginal hand and therefore you will not be able to make him fold, even by showing such strength. Avoid any sort of bluffs against calling stations- they just will not fold!
When you check raise you need to make sure you raise a large amount. If you raise from say $2 to $4 (a minimum raise) then it’s giving them the right price to see the next card. If you re raise at least twice there amount, in this case to $6, it will certainly make it harder for them to call and see the next card.
Its a good idea sometimes to check raise as a semi bluff. This is basically where you employ the check raise with a drawing hand. You can of course win the pot there and then by your opponent folding. Another scenario possible is that you hit your draw and then you can take down a slightly bigger pot. If you don’t hit your draw then you will have to give up the pot to any betting on future streets.