Do you use the Check-Raise methods?

[I Eat Gamblers]

For those of you new to poker the check-raise is very simple...pass on your turn by checking, another player bets when it comes back around to you raise. Some believe this method to be a controversial/deceptive one. I truely believe it to be my friend, without it the game would be less interesting. Check-raising adds many things to the game of poker, such as the positional disadvantage, trapping agressive players, makes opponents think twice about betting after you check,gives you another bluffing option, and most important it's an excellent way to mix up your game.

Is it really a bad method of betting? I Think Not!!!!!!

[Fictive]

I use check-raise a lot. It's a damn fine method that works both ways, extracting a little more cash, as well as a semi-bluff. Not to mention it works great against TAG players who basically always cbet the flop.

[irishpkr]

According to PT I use it about 0.7% of times when it was available to me. One problem I encounter is that it is by far the scariest bet for an opponent, so usually if you have a monster this will scare them off, but as you said, its good for an opponent who habitually cbets

[liladypokerpro]

Although it can be understood why it is seen as deceptive, the plain fact of the matter is that any bet or raise can be deceptive in the game of poker. So this maneuver should not be singled out in the poker world just because it is more obvious.

As for myself, I do not use it too frequently, because over-use can/will result in a lack of effectiveness. You also must consider the "monkey see monkey do" theory as well...once you are successful using this method against another player, do not be shocked if they turn around and do it to you. I only do it very occasionally and according to the specific moments when it is deemed the right or the smart play at that time.

Nice Thread, thanks!

[Vito_Nuccio]

I check raise seldom. Sometimes I will play the monster this way, but not too often. I tend to use it more as a personal weapon. I will target a player or two for a check raise by their style of play, usually for when I feel my hand is inferior but time to check raise steal the pot.

Thanks

[MLitteer]

I dont use it often. Call me stupid (many do) but I feel dirty when i do it. The only time i will pull it out is when someone is too aggressive or does it to me 1st.

[iceveins0901]

I do when the timing is good and I know my opponent will bet after me. Always on the flop or turn, cant afford a check/check on the river and I hate slowplaying AA preflop in hopes to reraise when the action comes back to you preflop.

[frob23]

I am much more likely to use it in a limit game where I can get an extra bet or more from it. I do not do it all the time and the situation has to be right. I am much more likely to check-raise (for value) when I am in really early position at an aggressive table because I am almost certain to have it bet behind me. I am almost never going to try it when there is only one person left to act after me unless they've been betting nearly 100% of the time it's checked to them. In a limit game, I do not expect everyone to fold to a check-raise. I expect it might shed some people that it makes it 2 bets cold to call.

In NL I use it once in a while. I just use it as a weapon to keep people on their toes so they don't automatically bet when I check to them. Against players who routinely check-raise me, I usually reduce the amount of times I will bet with some hands but increase it with others. Basically, if I hit a decent hand or a premium draw... I will bet, let them check-raise, and shove all-in. It does depend on stacks here... I want a reasonably big stack... not one that is painless to call. I don't want a monster stack of 5+ times the max-buy-in if he has a stack close to mine. But I want to really hurt this person if he calls and loses. It doesn't take long for a player who runs into that play to slow-down with the check-raising. Note: Sometimes I get called when this happens. Sometimes I am ahead... often behind. Of the times I am behind, I still sometimes win. But the play itself I do not think is a +EV play in the short-run... it may be but I do not think so. But it does make other hands have greater expectation because of the way a player reacts to this sort of move.

[stoffmakers]

in cash games, especially live ones, i play 1-2, this is what i tend to do. early on, i play extremely tight. and if i get a monster, i especially like to trap and check raise someone. then later on once ive built my stack, i play a lot looser and more aggressive. seems to work as ive won like my past 7 sessions. only problem is when i buyin 200 and get up to over 400, i usually cant get any higher, and if i do, i still lose some and end the session around 400.