Check in the Dark

1. Checking before the next card is dealt when you are going first to act in a round of betting.

Example

Let's say you're in the BB and the action folds to the button who makes a standard opening raise. The SB folds and you call, and before the dealer can deal the flop, you announce that you, "check in the dark." This means that after the flop comes down, action goes immediately to the button, because you have already checked.

Should You Do It?

Basically, checking in the dark serves no real purpose. In poker, you want to maintain control of what little you do have power over, and one of those things is your actions. By checking dark, all you do is limit your options, which is never wise. For example, let's say you're in the BB and the action folds to the cutoff who makes a standard opening raise. The SB folds and you call with Qh8h. Suppose you check in the dark and the flop comes down Jh-9s-2h. This would be an ideal flop to lead, because that would essentially give you three chances to win the pot - with your lead, with your shove if he raises, or by hitting one of your draws if the money goes in. However, since you checked in the dark, the action is now on your opponent, who decides to check as well. When the As (a very bad card for you) falls on the turn, you kick yourself, because the dark check has caused you to play the hand sub-optimally.

This is just a simple example and doesn't prove whether checking in the dark is a viable option one way or the other, however, if your game is solid, you won't need gimmicky plays to succeed.