Poker Check

All poker games have betting actions that the players can make during a betting round. One of the betting actions available for the player is Poker Check. Find out what does it mean to check in poker below.

Poker Check Meaning

Image: Poker table with a 'Check' option

Check meaning in poker is that the player chooses to pass by not making a bet or raising during their turn in a betting round of poker. In simple words, a poker check means betting zero chips.

In most cases, a player may choose to check instead of bet during a betting round of the game, provided that no other player has bet before them. Therefore, if another player has already bet before, the following players cannot check and can only call, raise, or fold.

In Texas Hold'em, players usually cannot check during the pre-flop round unless they are playing from the big blind position. The players in the small blind and big blind positions are required to play initial bets, also called an ante. Therefore, the other players cannot check as there's already a bet before them.

Similarly, in some poker variants such as 7-Stud Poker, a player cannot check as the player with a low upcard on the initial deal is required to either bet a full bet or the bring-in.

How to Use Check as a Poker Strategy?

Although checking is considered a weak move and signals the opponents that you have a weak hand, it is not always bad to use a check in poker. Using poker check is good when you have a strong hand and want to bluff and mislead the strength of your hand. This act is called slow playing, and players use this strategy when they have a strong hand but want opponents to bet more and build the pot. You can also use check as a poker strategy when you have a weak or marginal hand and want to keep the pot size small.

Experienced poker players also use check as a poker strategy when they are out of position and are facing another player who showed aggression on the previous street.

When is Checking Legal in Poker?

Checking is legal in the game of poker only when no other player has bet before in the current betting round. Therefore, if a player has already placed a bet, the following players can only legally call, raise, or fold.

In games like Texas Hold'em, checking is also not legal for most players in the pre-flop betting round, as the player seated at the big blind position must make the first bet. Therefore, only the big blind can legally check pre-flop if no other player has raised.

When is Checking a Weakness?

A poker check is mostly considered a sign of weakness or a weak hand. However, an exception to this is when a player is out of position and is facing another player who showed aggression in the previous street, it is common for the player to check the opponent in the following street. If the hand of the out-of-position player is strong, they will usually go for a check or raise.

When Should You Check in Poker?

Check in Poker when:

When you need more information

You can check if you are in position (the last player to act on the flop or turn) and you want to see the next card.

When you have a bad hand

If you have a weak hand that isn't strong enough to bet, checking is the go-to action, especially if you are the first to act on the flop.

When you want to trap a bluff

Some players check to trap a buffer, even with a strong hand. Such players usually act with a check-raise. However, this can be a risky action, especially on the flop or turn.

Don't check when:

When you have raised pre-flop

Avoid checking if you have raised pre-flop. Aggression and continuation bets are strong plays in No-limit Hold'em. Therefore, if you have raised pre-flop, you must not check on the flop.

If you have a top pair

Many players make the mistake of checking when they have a top pair and end up losing its value. You should check with a top pair on the flop in very rare cases.

If you are in position with a big hand

Checking with a strong hand on the river is a poor decision. You should go for the maximum value with big hands such s full house, four-of-a-kind, flush, straight, etc.

Common Phases using Check in Poker

Check-Raise

The action when a player checks during their turn and then raises in the next turn after a player has bet is called check-raise.

Check in the Dark

Check in the dark implies when a player checks pre-emptively without waiting to see the cards that are dealt. The decision to check in the dark is binding on the player irrespective of the cards dealt.

There's no strategic advantage of checking in the dark, but this action may confuse the opponents.

Check out of Turn

Check out of turn implies when a player tries to check when it's not their turn to act. Checking out of turn is usually a genuine mistake but is also sometimes used as angle shooting or cheating.

Check-Out or Check-Fold

When a player chooses to fold instead of checking, it is known as check-out, check-fold, or even folding out of turn. Check-fold is considered a bad poker etiquette and may impact the future decision on betting, calling, or raising of that player. However, as per the basic rules of poker, a player may opt to check-out from a poker room.

Check to the Raiser

When an early position player wants to check while also indicating that they are doing this as they expect a player in the later position to bet because that player has raised in the previous round, the player says, 'I Check to the Raiser'. The check to the raiser phrase may sometimes be used for bluffing to prepare for a check-raise.

Check or Bet

A dealer would often urge players to "check or bet," which are the two options open to a player in the first position, to prompt the action at lower-limit games where beginners typically participate.

Check it Down or Check to the River

Checking it down refers to the decision by the players to halt further betting rounds. The active players must agree verbally, and the dealer then deals all remaining cards without pausing for the betting rounds.

Hand Signals That Imply Check

Image: Similar image with a hand knocking on a poker table to signal Check

Poker check is a common action and can be expressed through a standard hand signal. A player can check by tapping on the table twice with either the fingers, first, or cards.

Often, players tend to tap the table out of nervousness, which can lead to confusion. Therefore, it's best to avoid tapping the table during your turn if you don't intend to check. If other players or the dealer believe your tapping implies a poker check and act according to the assumption, you may lose the chance to act and may be forced to accept check as your action.

Other gestures and hand signals that imply checking in poker include twirling the fingers in a circle pointing towards the dealer and twirling a pointing finger towards the player at the left. Players seated close to the button may often tap their chip to it once or twice to make a loud clicking sound instead of tapping the table to signal a check, or they will reach out and physically flip the dealer button to the other side.

Verbal Signals to Check

Many poker players also signal a check verbally, and these signals are considered binding if the other players and dealers accept and act upon them. Here are the verbal signals:

Check

I check

Pass

Next

By me

Go

OK!

No.

Roll 'em (especially when a player in the last position says this)

Deal! (when the player in the last position says this).

FAQs

What does check mean in poker?

Check in poker is one of the betting actions that a player may take during their turn. Poker check meaning is that a player doesn't choose to bet or raise in a betting round. It is like passing your turn.

Can you raise after you check in poker?

Yes, a player can raise after checking, and this action is commonly known as check-raise in poker. In this case, a player checks early, hoping for an opponent to open and then raises in the same round.

What is a check call?

When a player makes a check and then later calls a bet made by another player in the same betting round, it is called a check-call.

When should you check in poker?

A player can only check if no other player has made a bet previously in the current betting round. Also, there are several dos and don'ts that poker players should follow to check in poker.

What happens if everyone checks?

In a poker betting round, if all the players check, then the game will proceed to the next betting round.