Bluffing at the Check in Poker
Poker players can check, bet, raise or fold. A check is indicative that the player does not have a good hand, or at least, that’s what the checker wants the other players to think. Poker is one place where appearances can, and are often meant to, deceive.
Is it ever a good idea to bluff after there has been checking in front of you? The key here is to remember that deceptive players who use the check to slow play and deceive will make bluffing disastrously costly. If you have no read on the players, then bluffing out a raise after a check is risky business. In this situation, a minimum value bet might be best if you are on a semi-bluff with a hand that might improve.
Never take a check in front of you for granted, unless you are very familiar with thepoker player’s style. Don’t accept actions at face value. Betting is what allows you to gain information. A small value bet can chase away the pretenders. When a checker calls the minimum bet, you have to assume that the player is holding something worthwhile. It could be calling to a draw, or it could be a bluff too. Tread carefully after each check and don’t fall into the trap of deception.
