Many poker players say that its unprofessional if you use the check-raise strategy during a poker game with your friends. But if you’re playing on a real online poker website and you’re betting real money, its not the same story anymore.

No jokes, the check-raise is one of the most effective poker strategies in poker when use correctly. And when use at the right time, this tactic is very useful.

The following illustrates this idea:

You have a pocket of Jacks as your hole card. You’re in the middle position and when its your turn you raised the bet to 6 times the big blind. If you’re lucky, one player will call and the blinds will fold.

Its time for the first three community cards to be displayed and its a 10 7 Q. This will be the right opportunity for you to use the check-raise tactic. If you’re opponent’s card is composed of an A and a K then they haven’t connected with the flop. If you checked them they will think of the following:

1. That your hole card did not connect with the flop.

2. Your card has a pair but is lower than the Queen.

This move will let your opponent assume that you have a weaker card and they will continue to bet especially if their cards are A K.

And if its time for you to act again then you continue with check-raise phase 2, raising the bet, which can help you get the info that you need. This is the time where he’s going to make a decision. And his decision will be the basis of your next action.

If he called you’re raise, most probably he has a strong hand and maybe he has the Queen. And if he re-raise then the moment to fold has come. This is due to the higher possibility that your opponent has a grand set that your pair of Jacks can’t beat.

Poker is a game with a lot of opportunities. And this idea is one of them. Hope it can help.

Share and Happy Poker!