Poker Articles

When to "Check and Call"
By Nolan Dalla

All respected poker theorists recommend a tight-aggressive style. "Tight-aggressive" means two things: First, you are selective about the hands you play (in other words, play "tight"). Second, when you play a hand -- be aggressive. In poker, aggression is manifested in betting and raising, not only when you actually do hold a strong hand, but even when you might not have the best hand at the moment.

Tight-aggressive poker is based on the premise that since you play few hands, most (observant) opponents will give you credit for having a strong hand when you bet or raise, and may throw their hand away. Occasionally, they might even throw away a superior hand. The tight-aggressive style can be summarized by the following guidance -- either raise or fold. Almost never call. If you can justify calling a bet, you might as well put in a raise. Most winning players fit into the tight-aggressive category (although there are "loose-aggressive" players who are successful because they practice good game selection).

The opposite of playing tight-aggressive is the "loose-passive" approach. Loose-passive players are no match for tight-aggressive-players. The action most commonly associated with loose-passive play is checking and calling. For this reason, loose-passive players are also known as "calling stations." Checking and calling is generally not a strategy associated with winning poker. In fact, checking and calling contradicts the instincts within all good players to seize control of the table and put their opponents on the defensive. However, if executed selectively - checking and calling can be a winning poker strategy.

So, when is it advisable to check and call? It varies by game. Omaha high-low, for instance, is a game where checking and calling is fairly routine. Since all winning Omaha players are strict about their starting-hand requirements and post-flop play is always dictated by pot odds, the overly-aggressive style of play normally associated with strong hold'em players rarely produces any tangible benefit in an Omaha game. On the contrary, checking and calling is a common practice - even amongst the best players. Likewise, in seven-card stud, checking and calling is occasionally the optimal strategy -- particularly when up against what appears to be a strong hand, as well as on sixth and seventh streets, when pot odds almost always warrant a call. The question then becomes -- when is it advisable to check an call in a (limit) hold'em game? Since so much depends on your table image and the quality of your opponents, conditions will vary. But, here are some general guidelines which assume you are the first to act:

• Against overly-aggressive players - When checked to, overly-aggressive players and maniacs tend to bet indiscriminately. They usually bluff their money away. Why bet into a maniac when your opponent will do the betting for you? If you bet out, the maniac may give you credit for a hand and fold (which costs you money on later rounds, if you have a hand).

• On a draw with sufficient pot-odds in a multi-way pot - This commonly occurs when you are in early position with either a straight or flush draw. If there are three or more players still to act behind you, a bet is unlikely to win the pot. You might even get raised. You want to see the next card (or two) as cheaply as possible, although if you can get down to a single opponent, you may have an opportunity to semi-bluff on the turn, or bluff on the river (if the flush fails). However, if three or more players remain in the pot, checking and calling is usually the best strategy.

• On a draw with sufficient implied odds - This means the amount of money does not justify a call at the present time, but you are reasonably sure you will make enough money on later betting rounds if you successfully make your hand.

• Playing against an opponent you've either dominated or intimidated in the past - There are times when you can be reasonably certain an opponent will fold assuming he/she can be persuaded you have a superior hand. This is particularly true when you have a hand of modest strength and are out of position. A check and call on the flop is likely get a free card on turn, since your call might make the player reluctant to bet out again a second time. You not only occasionally get to see cards for free, but your opponent's fear might provide a bluffing opportunity if a scare card comes on board.

• Slowplaying a big hand - If you flop a monster hand, you probably want as many players and as much money in the pot as possible. You certainly don't want to tip-off the strength of your hand to your opponents. Most players that flop a set, the nut flush, or a straight will wait until the turn to check-raise. However, there is a strong counter-argument for betting out with a strong hand and hoping to get raised and so as to trap multiple players in the pot for additional bets. The debate continues about the wisdom of slowplaying big hands.

• In low-limit games - It's usually advisable to check and call if you have a hand of uncertainty (and are up against a very poor player who might be capable of holding anything). An example would be a hand like A-Q and the flop comes K-Q 2. First to act in a head-up situation, it's usually best to just check and call. Folding with second-pair might be too tight a play and check-raising is far too risky, since the player might have a better hand.

Since the preponderance of "ram and jam" hold'em games might have antiquated many of the precepts of tight-aggressive play, these guidelines just begin to scratch the surface. Indeed, there are a multitude of situations in hold'em when checking and calling is a profitable strategy. Knowing precisely which circumstances warrant a check and call -- instead of a bet or raise -- is one of the fundamentals of winning poker.

Nolan Dalla can be reached at: nolandalla@pokerpages.com