Check-Raise Bluff
There is plenty of poker strategy available online about betting, calling and folding. But you don’t see an abundance of information about checking. It’s the most common play you’ll see on Pinnacle Sports Poker tables, but many take it for granted that this move isn’t important to poker strategy.Players will check the action for three reasons: They have nothing in their hand; they’re trying to trap another poker player into betting; or, they’re trying to gain information about an opponent’s hand.
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The player that is trapping will be looking to check-raise an opponent. They have a big hand, and they know that it’s a better play to let a late-position player bet into them, before they expose the strength of their hand to anyone. This move is such a strong expression that you’re holding a big hand that a crafty player will represent a monster hand by making a check-raise bluff.
The play is simple enough. If there’s no action in the hand, and everyone checked around to the late positions, it’s common that one of the later players will take a stab at the pot. If you raise their bet, they’re forced to either fold right there or call a raise with a weak hand. As long as the late-position raiser isn’t on a big hand, you should be able to pick up the pot.
You’ll want to think about the player that you’re trying to check-raise bluff. Loose players will often call the raise and see the flop anyway. If that flop doesn’t hit your hand you’ll be in a rough spot, and out of position. A tighter player is a better target for this play. Just make sure it wasn’t the first raise that player has made in a while. And don’t try this play too often; you’ll eventually start to get too much action from your opponents if you do.
Making bold moves on the poker table is the way the professionals at Pinnacle Sports Poker play the game. The key is to know when to make them and when not to execute. The check-raise bluff won’t work all the time, but if you choose your situations carefully it can be a profitable play for you overall.
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