Check
Action Level · Beginner Aliases: checking, pass the action
Checking means passing the action without putting in chips when there is no bet to face.
What is Check
A check is choosing not to put chips in and passing the action to the next player, available only when there is no outstanding bet on the current street. Your hand stays live, and you may get to see the next community card for free. If a player behind you then bets, you can still call, raise or fold when the action returns. As soon as there is a bet you have not matched, checking is no longer an option — you must pick between calling, raising and folding. Checking is also not automatically a sign of weakness: strong hands check to trap, and medium hands check to control the size of the pot.
On the felt
Table6-max cash game
PositionBB vs BTN
FlopQ♠8♦3♣
ActionBB checks with no bet to face
Example
On a flop of Q♠8♦3♣ you are first to act in the big blind with no bet in front of you, so you check and pass the action to the button. If the button then bets, you cannot check again when it comes back to you.
Common mistakes
- Treating a check as a fold. Checking keeps your hand and lets you continue later in the street.
- Assuming you can check at any time. You cannot check while facing a bet you have not matched.
Related terms
All-in
Going all-in means putting every remaining chip you have into the pot.
Bluff
A bluff is a bet made with a weak hand, aiming to make better hands fold.
Call
Calling means matching the current bet to stay in the hand.
Check-Raise
A check-raise means checking first, then raising after an opponent bets on the same street.
Continuation Bet
A continuation bet is a bet on the flop by the player who raised last before it.
Fold
Folding gives up your hand and any claim to the pot, ending your involvement in it.