| Popularity of texas holdem »
Knowing when to check or fold
Your opportunities to use the check option (opting not to bet but staying in the game) are limited. After you make a bet in the round, no other player may check. For instance, if you as the first player bet, then the rest of the players may call, raise, or fold - but not check. If you fold, then the second player has the option to check because you didn’t make the initial bet.
If you check, you still retain the right to call or raise any bet made by players who follow. A checkraise occurs when you first check but raise a bet made by an opponent later in the same betting round. A checkraise is a common trapping technique you can use when you’ve made a monster hand.
When you fold, you say adios to any chips you previously put into the pot.
But don’t stay in just because you have money invested in the pot. Always call or raise depending on the current strength of your hand, not on how many bets you already have put into the pot.
You can use this strategy in online casinos as well.

