When to Check Raise in Texas Hold'em Poker
In general, when to use a check raise is in a spot where you want to represent a strong hand. If you can represent that big hand and put your opponent to a tough decision that is the main goal that you want to accomplish.
Whether you have that big hand is up for interpretation by your opponent. The main goal of a check raise is for it to be applying pressure. So in limit hold'em you will not apply as much pressure as you would in a game such as no limit, but it does get the point of aggression across.
In a game like limit hold'em you are better off check raising with strong hands rather than making a check raise with weaker hands. The reason being if your opponent is on a straight draw or flush draw, you are giving them great odds to call, and beat your hand.
So in order to properly use this move you will have to be using it to gain value on your hand. In a no limit game or pot limit game you can check raise a much wider range of hands and get your opponent off their hands. But, to generalize the art of the check raise it basically comes down to the application of pressure on your opponent, and to be able to put them out of their comfort level.
To make your opponent make a mistake and to get them stuck in the hand is also something that you want to do when using the check raise. When you can make your opponent very uncomfortable when playing pots with you that is when you can really thrive at the tables at any limit. Branching from that in playing a live game; physically at a table, you will find it easier to pick off your opponents tells. If they are playing and sitting very uncomfortable at the table they will make far and plenty more mistakes.
When they make these mistakes and play uncomfortable you will make a lot more money in the session you are playing, and also in the long run. If you were simply checking and then calling in spots where you could be check raising you would not be making as much money as you could and not returning the most on your money; maximizing your profit.
Also, if you check raise them a few times with nothing, and they fold; not seeing your cards, they will most likely look you up and call your bet with no matter what they have in the pocket the next time that you make that play at them. The check raise gains you a return on equity in the future hands you play with your opponents, and the present hands.
When your opponent is not seeing your cards for an extended period of time because of your aggression they are more prone to call you in spots where they would regularly fold. Those are the spots you want to look for and capitalize on.
In general, when to use a check raise is in a spot where you want to represent a strong hand. If you can represent that big hand and put your opponent to a tough decision that is the main goal that you want to accomplish.
Whether you have that big hand is up for interpretation by your opponent. The main goal of a check raise is for it to be applying pressure. So in limit hold'em you will not apply as much pressure as you would in a game such as no limit, but it does get the point of aggression across.
In a game like limit hold'em you are better off check raising with strong hands rather than making a check raise with weaker hands. The reason being if your opponent is on a straight draw or flush draw, you are giving them great odds to call, and beat your hand.
So in order to properly use this move you will have to be using it to gain value on your hand. In a no limit game or pot limit game you can check raise a much wider range of hands and get your opponent off their hands. But, to generalize the art of the check raise it basically comes down to the application of pressure on your opponent, and to be able to put them out of their comfort level.
To make your opponent make a mistake and to get them stuck in the hand is also something that you want to do when using the check raise. When you can make your opponent very uncomfortable when playing pots with you that is when you can really thrive at the tables at any limit. Branching from that in playing a live game; physically at a table, you will find it easier to pick off your opponents tells. If they are playing and sitting very uncomfortable at the table they will make far and plenty more mistakes.
When they make these mistakes and play uncomfortable you will make a lot more money in the session you are playing, and also in the long run. If you were simply checking and then calling in spots where you could be check raising you would not be making as much money as you could and not returning the most on your money; maximizing your profit.
Also, if you check raise them a few times with nothing, and they fold; not seeing your cards, they will most likely look you up and call your bet with no matter what they have in the pocket the next time that you make that play at them. The check raise gains you a return on equity in the future hands you play with your opponents, and the present hands.
When your opponent is not seeing your cards for an extended period of time because of your aggression they are more prone to call you in spots where they would regularly fold. Those are the spots you want to look for and capitalize on.
