Checking in Poker

Why does it seem that so many people love checking when playing online poker? For some reason, I have noticed an inordinate amount of people sitting at tables playing casino games who, 90% of the time, don’t bet at pots or reraise. They just check, and often other people in the hand just check behind them.

This is something I notice more while playing online poker than in a casino, that may be because there are more beginners playing online(since it’s more convenient and less dautning for a newcomer than sitting at a table in a card room). Certainly, there’s nothing wrong with checking, especially when using it to check-raise. I think many players when they first begin check more often than they should because they may be afraid of losing more money to a pot.

But, you can’t play poker if you are going to be afraid to lose money. It happens to everyone, and you can’t let that fear get in the way of the game you’re trying to play. I know if you are just starting to play checking when you are unsure if you should bet is safe; and there’s nothing wrong with that. You’ve got to feel your way around the game in the begninning.

But, the next time you feel like you should bet at a pot but are inclined to check instead, try making the bet. You may like the results, and start to become more aggressive.