Basics of Check-Raising

The check-raise is an important Holdem tactic and one everyone should make a part of their arsenal. Check-raising helps control the pot, read your opponents, and is an invaluable tactic when playing in early position.

Check-raising relies on the relatively simple move of checking to your opponent, and then raising him or her when it comes back to you.

In early position, you can check-raise to get a read on your opponents' strengths, while still presenting a good hand value. It may be a good idea to check on the flop, but raise when it comes back around.

Check-raising is also a useful way to get your opponent to put more money into the pot. When you check to them, you tell them that you're not willing to put more money behind your cards. They'll be tempted to make a bet and force you off the pot. When you come back at them with a raise, they'll have to put in their chips already and be forced to invest more than they originally intended. At this point, they might fold, but their chips are already in the pot, waiting for you to take them.

Learning to properly check-raise will help you immensely in your Holdem game. It's a useful tactic at any point, whether it be pre-flop, flop, turn or river.

Source: launchpoker.com