Check-Raising

Doyle's book very quickly put me out of the check-raising business. I used to play " fancy" all the time, and often saw my pocket As busted because of it. Read Doyle's books. You will learn why NOT to use that play, and other very useful information.

I think that check raising is definitely a neccessary tool to have at your disposal. BUT, like all other fancy plays, they should be used sparingly, only as a change of pace manuever. They should not be relied upon or used often because it will end up costing you if it is abused. And this is ESPECIALLY true for lower limits. LL players are not going to appreciate the check raise so you are better off just playing ABC poker. Raise with the good, fold the bad, and throw in a fancy plan once in a blue moon to keep 'em guessing.....Thats my story and I am sticking to it.

__________________
Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter.

I agree absolutely Franky. Fancy plays all have their place. The problem with fancy plays are that they are overused by a lot of people.

Just yesterday I found myself in a situation where I thought a check raise would be ideal. I was in the big blind with A7 and the flop came AA7. Now this is a pretty good flop for me, can't ask for much better. There were two diamonds on the board and I was hoping someone would catch something to give me a big pot. So I checked from the big blind and one other person checked and the button put out a small bet of about 3 times the big blind (blinds were 15/30). I smooth called as did the other person in the hand. At the turn I again checked, as did the second to act and the button again put out a bet which we both smooth called. On the river a third diamond came up and I was hoping this is what he was drawing to and betting on so I checked again intending to check raise this time. Instead of getting a bet he checked through it this time so I lost out on some potential chips by checking. Had I bet they might have folded, but they might have called just to see if I was representing the flush to try to buy the pot.

In any case, trying to get fancy with your play can be detrimental to your profit if you do it too often. There are times when you want to slow play or check raise or bluff or semi-bluff. Like if you flop 4 of a kind, you probably don't want to bet on that because you'll likely chase everyone out. You need to represent that you don't have a monster hand and try to let someone else catch something or let someone else try to buy that pot and then make your move.

I THINK EVERY ONE IS LOOKING AT THIS IN A SHORT TERM S N G IN A LONGER TOURNEY OR LIVE ACTION WHERE U PLAN ON STAYING FOR HOURS A CHECK RAISE IS A GOOD TOOL IF USE PROPERLY. IT CAN GAIN SOME CONTROL OVER THE BOARD WHEN BESIDE AGGRESIVE PLAYERS. IT ALSO CAN BRING OUT A SHORT STACK THAT MIGHT BE TILTING AND SEE A CHANCE TO STEAL A POT. THERE IS A BAD SIDE I AGREE IT IS OVER USED AND OVER RATED. IT ALSO NOT A GOOD IDEA TO MAKE THIS MOVE AGIANST NEW OR WEAK PLAYERS. WITCH GOES WITH ANY OTHER FANCY MOVE IT JUST DOESN'T WORK IF THE PLAYER DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT JUST HAPPENED AND GOES W/ THERE HOPE OF LUCK.

ALSO THE REPLIE W/ COMMETS TO DOYLE BRUNSONS BOOK HE HAS COMMITED ON VARIOUS OCASIONS THAT HE PLAY HAS CHANGE DRAMATICALY SINCE HE WROTE THAT BOOK W/ THE POPULARITY OF POKER GROWING MORE PPL ARE CATCHING ON TO TECHNIQUES AND STRATIGES THEREFOR U HAVE TO ADAPT W/ IT AND TRY TO EXPLOIT IT.

Ronzh,
While your coments are appreciated and welcomed please fix your caps-lock key. All caps are commonly seen as "yelling" or "screaming" online and are also difficult to read.
Thanks
Alli

In my opinion, if you're going to check raise, bluff with it to set a table image up if it's a SnG or ring. Show your bluff! Some experiences players may see this as you're setting it up, but then do it on a strong hand and many players will see this as another bluff, and either call or reraise you. Works wonders.

hahaha...I second that notion....no need to yell...but he had some valid points, especially about keeping an aggressive player in check....I believe I said something similar in the mini-bluffing post.

__________________
Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter.

I thought we were talking about monster hands... since when has trips been a monster hand???