Gambling terms, explained straight

Poker

Check poker

A check is a poker action where a player passes the opportunity to bet, but only when no other player has placed a bet in that round. It keeps the player in the hand without adding chips to the pot.

Also called
Pass, in some games where all players have already contributed an equal ante 6
Applies to
Poker betting rounds, including Texas hold 'em, when no bet is outstanding 14
Effect
Keeps the player active and preserves the right to call or raise later in the same round if another player opens 16
Round end
If all active players check, the betting round ends with no additional chips placed in the pot 16

Key points

  • A check is a bet of zero when the current bet is zero, declining to open the betting 12.
  • Checking is only possible when no opponent has bet in that round; if a bet exists, a player must call, raise, or fold 15.
  • A check differs from a call: a call matches an existing bet, while a check is made when there is no bet to match 12.
  • Checking can be used strategically to induce a bet from an opponent, setting up a check-raise later in the same round 13.

How to check in poker

  1. Wait until your turn in a betting round where no player has yet bet.
  2. Say "check" or tap the table to indicate you are passing the action.
  3. If all players check, the round ends. If someone bets, you may call, raise, or fold.

Where this term is used

Not the same as

  • Check raise poker — a tactic where a player checks first, then raises after an opponent bets
  • Check poker hands — not a standard poker term — 'check' refers to a betting action, not hand evaluation
Poker Check raise poker Explains the tactic of checking with the intention to raise after an opponent bets. Poker Check poker hands Clarifies that 'check' is a betting action, not a hand category. Poker Check a cinch in poker Covers the phrase 'check a cinch' and its meaning in poker context. Poker Full house poker Defines the full house hand ranking and how it compares to other hands. Poker Pai gow poker Explains the rules and gameplay of pai gow poker, a casino table game. Poker Gto poker Describes game theory optimal strategy and its application in poker.

Sources

  1. Betting in poker en.wikipedia.org Defines check as declining to bet when no bet is facing you, and explains the betting round mechanics.
  2. Glossary of poker terms en.wikipedia.org Provides the glossary definition of check and confirms it preserves the right to call or raise later.
  3. Check-raise en.wikipedia.org Distinguishes check from check-raise and explains the tactic of checking to induce a bet.
  4. Texas hold 'em en.wikipedia.org Confirms check is used in Texas hold 'em betting rounds.
  5. Card Games: Poker Betting pagat.com Describes the check action and the condition that no bet has been opened.
  6. Poker Rules - Pagat pagat.com Notes 'pass' as an alternative term and explains that checking keeps the player active.

Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.

Written and maintained by Ellis Warrender, writer and maintainer.

Last updated 28 July 2026. Spotted an error? Tell me and it gets fixed and logged on the corrections page.