Check Raising

In the last installment of Improving Performance we discussed raising. I think we agreed that, in addition to being your most valuable weapon in poker, raising is fun. Well what could be more fun than raising? Checkraising! Check-raising is the act of checking your hand and expecting an opponent to bet so that you can then raise. Sand bagging is what the old time home game players who abhor this dastardly act would call it. Check-raising can also be considered a weapon. Just don’t overuse it. Many players fall in love with the check-raise and use it constantly, to the point where their checks become feared more than their raises. As in all of poker, if you become too predictable your more observant opponents will be able to take advantage of this frailty. You need to be the unpredictable player who is charting your opponents ‘ tendencies to your advantage.

So, check-raising is a weapon that shouldn’t be overused and is fun. What else do we need to know? You need to be fa… Continue reading Check Raising

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Poker jargon:

• MANIAC - A player who bets, raises and reraises without regard to the quality of his hand. Most often found in flop games.
• DEAD MAN'S HAND - Generically: two pair, aces and eights. Specifically: the black aces, black eights and nine of diamonds. The hand Wild Bill Hickok was holding when he was shot to death.
• OUT - [1] A card that will improve your hand, often substantially. A hand with many OUTS is preferable to a hand with only 1 or 2. [2] Folded, ineligible to bet or win this hand. "I'm out" is often a synonym for "I fold".
• POCKET ROCKETS - In Hold'em, a pair of aces for hole cards.
• CRYING CALL - A call made with little chance of ultimately winning, but marginally better than an immediate fold.
• BLANK - Used in describing stud and Hold'em games. Refers to a dealt card that does not offer any value; stating the actual rank and suit would detract from a description of the hand. "The last card was a blank.".