Check-Raise

1. To check when given the first opportunity to bet and then raise when another player bets during the same round of betting.
2. A poker move in which one passes on the option to bet and then raises after another player bets during the same round of betting. (noun)

Popular Uses

I wanted to be sure I got at least one bet out of my opponent, so I waited to check-raise on the turn when I flopped a monster. I didn't want to initiate the betting and scare him off. -Unknown

You Should Also Know...

The check-raise is one of the most powerful moves in poker. Because a player is showing a willingness to challenge someone who has already committed money to the pot, the check-raise signals that he likely has a strong hand. The big risk of going for a check-raise, assuming it is being done with a very good hand, is that the opponent might never bet, thus not allowing for the "raise" part of the check-raise. Because the move is interpreted as a sign of great strength, it can also be used to perform an effective, yet risky, bluff.

More about Check-Raising

Some poker players believe that check-raising someone is somehow unethical because it's "deceptive" and "tricky". In fact, in some cardrooms, you'll find older poker players who will actually get visibly angered when someone check-raises as they might have played in games where check-raising is illegal. The widespread consensus in the poker world is that check-raising is legal, allowed and a major part of the game. All major tournaments and all online poker rooms allow check-raising.

If you run across someone who complains that you check-raised, chances are they're a stodgy old guy who doesn't realize that the game of poker has change massively over the last decade. In that case, the correct response is: "LOL old people"

Related Terms

Check, Raise, Fold, Bet, Call