Check-Raising Power

There are many tools and weapons a poker player can use to extract money from his opponents. One of the most powerful is the check-raise -- but only if it is properly applied.

A check-raise in the right situation can win you more money than any other weapon in your poker arsenal. While it will sometimes backfire -- nothing works all the time -- if you follow my instructions, you will largely eliminate that danger.

Rule Number One; you should rarely use a check-raise against a passive, conservative player. This is the person who only plays strong hands. When he comes out betting, he either has the nuts or something close to it and a check-raise will only cost you chips.

I love using the check-raise, especially against aggressive poker bullies. I aim at the super-aggressive players who raise more often than they should. In many cases, these foes are operating with nothing but a wing and a prayer.

There are poker players out there, dear friend, who treat the opposition with arrogant disdain. They will raise with almost any two cards if they have position and think they can intimidate you into folding. These are the players you want to target with a check-raise.

To pull off a successful check-raise, you need pocket 10s or higher or you need to have flopped trips or two pairs. The other evening I was playing Texas Hold'em at one of my favorite casinos when I collided with an aggressive player who seemed to be raising every other hand. I knew he had to be doing it with poor hands, so I decided to lay back and trap him.

I waited until the dealer dealt me pocket jacks. He was seated two positions away from me on my left. I could see him reaching for his chips and knew he intended to raise, so I just called the pot.

He raised and another player and myself called. The flop came perfect for my hand -- 8-7-2, non-suited. I checked and he came out betting. The other player and I just called.

Fourth street brought a deuce. I checked again, he came out betting, and the other player folded. I raised. He held his hand for a long moment, then tossed the cards into the muck with a disgusted look. The dealer pushed me the pot.

By using this tactic, you will help cure super-aggressive maniacs out of a bad habit. The bully didn't learn his lesson the first time around and continued his tactics until I check-raised him a second time. He became docile as a lamb and a short time later picked up his chips and left the table.

When you check-raise, choose your targets with care and you will win some large pots. This weapon works equally well in cash games and tournaments. Good luck. Let me know how it works for you.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).