Know When to Check

There is some debate surrounding the “check” option. Many feel it’s a cop out and can signify weakness. Some feel that you should either bet or raise but this can also be just a theory. Generally, all players sometimes check, so avid players don’t base the assumption you are new fish on check alone.
 
Remember don’t be a Passive Player

Keep in mind that a player who constantly checks will be and should be considered a weak player. Although sometimes checking is justified, doing it on a more than regular basis will label you the new fish and your opponents will start manipulating you.

When a player continues to check each round and especially in pre-flop, a pattern is brewing for others to take notice of. A certain behavior is displayed and a pattern begins to form. Great Poker players take notice immediately and take aim at swindling all the money out of them. Showing a major lack of aggression, by failing to bet or raise, will have your opponents turning up their aggression ratings to knock you out of each pot. At this point you can kiss your chip stack goodbye!

Holding the Nuts

If a player who is normally aggressive suddenly decided to check, there could be several reasons for it. This is commonly referred to as “Holding the Nuts” – which means the player can be purposely laying a trap. The Player is hoping an opponent will look at this check as a serious weakness and take the bait by betting into the player. These particular tactics is known as slow playing or sand bagging. This may occur when a player is extremely strong, but acts weak to entice an opponent to try and bet him off the hand.

It may come across as dirty pool so to speak but if you are holding a very strong hand, you may want to try a check occasionally to see if you can reel another player into your deceitful web. After all making money is what it all comes down to. On the other end of the spectrum if you never raise and then suddenly push a bunch of chips in the middle, your opponents will no doubt smell a rat a mile away and not get reeled in.

Easing Off

In another scenario you may not know exactly where you stand with a particular hand and need to check in order to get your bearings. It may be you have played aggressively up to the turn, but your opponent has called on every street. Suddenly, your clouded with doubt and your pair of kings no longer looks so good. This is one occasion where you might want to check. However, bear in mind that if you are the first to act, your opponent is likely to bet after you. That is why acting last is so important. If your opponent acts first and checks, then you can check after him and take a free card.
Getting a free card

Yet another scenario reflects on you being aggressive in the previous round you’re opponent will check because he may be worried that if he bets, you might raise. Lets say you are holding the jack and ten of diamonds. The flop brings out two more diamonds and you bet. Your opponent calls and a club falls on the turn. You would like to see the river card for free. If your opponent checks because he is nervous of your aggression, you can check behind him and see the river for free.
Being aggressive helps

It is important to remember that checking can be considered weak. When a player continually checks their opponents, the sharks smell blood in the water and begin to circle for the kill. Instead, combing the occasional check with normal aggression will result in the opponents always guessing.