Checking in Poker

New players can find the concept of checking somewhat confusing, so, with that in mind, here are a few guidelines for the poker pups:

Pre Flop

Playing in the Small Blind: You will never be able to check in the small blind. By the time the action gets to you, you will either be facing a raise, a call, or it will be your turn to act. 

If you are facing a raise and want to continue with your hand, then you are going to have to pay the price of the bet. If someone has called, then you will have to pay the additional size of the call. 

If it is your turn to act first, because everyone has folded, then you will have either to call or raise, and both of these actions mean putting more money into the pot.

Playing in the Big Blind: You can check from the big blind only when someone before you has called. 

If someone has raised, you either pay the additional amount that constitutes the raise, or fold. If one or more players have just called, because you have already placed the size of the call into the pot as your big blind, you can just check.

Not Involved in the Blinds: If you are not in the blinds, you cannot check; your only options will be to bet or fold.

Post Flop

The small blind, or the player closest to this position, is always the first to act during post flop play. This means that they have the option to check or to bet. 

Players seated in the other positions can only check if the player before them has checked. It is almost like a concertina effect. One can only check if the player before them has also checked.