Check
Passing the action to the next player without betting. You can only check if no one has bet in the current round.
iGaming Journalist & Crypto Casino Analyst
What Is Check?
Checking allows a player to remain in the hand without committing additional chips, keeping options open for later action if an opponent bets behind them. A check-check sequence on a betting round means no chips are added to the pot and the game moves to the next street or showdown. Checking can be a purely passive move with a weak hand, or a deceptive one used to set up a check-raise with a strong holding.
Examples
With no bets made on the flop, a player checks their option and the action passes to the next player.
A player checks a strong hand hoping an aggressive opponent will bet, allowing a check-raise.
Strategy Tips
Use checking as part of a balanced strategy, mixing in strong hands with weaker ones to avoid becoming predictable based on your action pattern. Consider checking strong hands in position to induce bluffs from aggressive opponents who might bet into a checked pot. Avoid checking too passively with strong hands when a bet would clearly get called or provide protection against draws. Recognize when checking is simply the correct default action, such as when your hand has little value in betting for either value or as a bluff.