Gambling terms, explained straight

Poker

Check raise poker

A check-raise is a two-part move in poker where a player first checks, then raises later in the same round after an opponent has bet.

Also known as
Sandbagging or trapping53
Common in
No-limit and pot-limit games; may be prohibited in some fixed-limit or private games26

Key points

  • The player first declines to bet by checking, keeping the option to act later in the same round.1
  • If another player opens the betting, the original checker then raises instead of merely calling.1
  • It is used as a deceptive or aggressive tactic to build the pot or trap opponents.4

Common questions

What is check raising in poker?

Check raising is a two-step move: you check (bet nothing) when it's your turn, then raise after an opponent bets. It's a deceptive tactic used to build the pot or trap opponents, common in no-limit games.12

Where this term is used

Not the same as

  • Poker raise rules — a set of rules governing how much a raise must be, whereas check-raise is a specific betting sequence that follows those rules
  • Check poker hands — about comparing hands at showdown, not the check-raise action
Poker Check poker Explains the single action of checking, which is the first step of a check-raise. Poker Check a cinch in poker Covers a different use of 'check' in poker contexts. Poker Check-raise bluff A specific bluffing strategy using the check-raise move. Poker Full house poker A poker hand ranking, not related to betting actions. Poker Fold, call, raise poker meaning Explains the basic betting actions in poker, including raise. Poker Draw poker A family of poker variants where check-raise may be used.

Sources

  1. Check-raise en.wikipedia.org Defines check-raise and explains the two-step sequence.
  2. Betting in poker en.wikipedia.org Provides context on where check-raise is permitted and raise rules.
  3. Slow play en.wikipedia.org Notes the synonym 'trapping' for the deceptive style.
  4. Aggression (poker) en.wikipedia.org Supports the description of check-raise as an aggressive tactic.
  5. Card Games: Poker Betting pagat.com Provides the alternative term 'sandbagging' and notes variant restrictions.
  6. This version of Robert's Rules of Poker is for private games pagat.com Confirms that some private games may prohibit check-raise.

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.