Slow Playing and Check Raising

Both slow-playing and check raising involves playing a strong hand weakly in an attempt to trap your opponents and win a larger pot than you would have, if you simply bet as normal.

Understanding the difference between slow-playing and check raising will help you win more chips when holding a top hand.


The type of hand you slow-play should be much stronger than one you check raise with, as by slow-playing you allow your opponents more cards.

Slow-playing

Slow-playing is to disguise the strength of your hand by betting less than the common value, or smooth calling a bet where you may have raised.

If you slow play your hand with cards yet to come;

  • You must have a very strong hand, preferably one that cannot be beaten.
  • The pot should not already be too big; if it is, take it down early.
  • You must believe that everyone would fold if you bet the normal valued amount.
  • The free or cheap card(s) you give should have little or (even better) no chance to improve your opponents hand to one that can beat yours.
From the cards on show combined with your conclusions of the betting, you believe if you bet a common amount for your hand, your opponents will fold.

So when slow-playing you want another player to either make their hand, provided it does not beat yours or to simply add value to what will be your pot. The usual intention of slow-playing is to take the pot in a later betting round.

Check raising

A check raise is a simple poker trap that you may use to add value to a pot which you intend to take on that betting round. You should consider you have a good hand, better than your opponents, but one that can be beaten.

  • You must have a strong hand, preferably one that is hard to beat.
  • The pot should not already be too big; if it is, take it down early.
  • You must believe that when you check another player will make a considered bet that you are willing to raise.
  • If there are more cards to come; you are intending to end the hand with your raise. If making this play on the river; you are not intending to show your cards.
From the cards on show combined with your conclusions of the betting, you believe if you bet, everyone will fold. When check raising, your intention is to end the hand with the raise, so your raise must be large enough to take the pot.

Some believe check raising is deceitful, and you may find 'house rules' ban the check raise. If playing live, make certain that it is allowed.

Where they may merge

You may still check raise when slow-playing a hand, however this is not the same as a check raise play which intends to take the pot on that betting round. The raise in this case should be enticing enough for your opponents to call adding value to the pot.

Finally

There is a subtle difference between slow-playing and check raising; sometimes you will want the call and on other occasions you will not. The important thing is for you to be clear in your thinking before making either play.

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