Check
Passing the action without betting, allowed only when nobody has bet on this street yet.
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- What it means
- A check keeps you in the hand without putting in chips. It is only allowed while there is no bet to match; in the big blind before the flop, your blind counts as the bet, so you can check when nobody raised.
- How it is calculated
- If everyone checks, the street ends and the next card comes. Once anyone bets, checking is no longer allowed: each player after them must fold, call or raise.
- Worked example
- On the flop the small blind checks, you check from the big blind and the button checks too. The turn is dealt with the pot still at 3bb.
- Why it matters
- Checking lets you see the next card for free and keep the pot small with a medium hand, but it gives the players after you the chance to bet.
Lessons that teach it: What you owe decides what you can do · lessons other than the free one need an invite
See also: Streets: preflop, flop, turn and river, Call, Bet and raise