Chapter VII Check Down

The concept of the check down Checking down is a basic etiquette that people expect you to follow. A check down is when a person is all-in and two or more players remain in the hand. They are playing for a side pot or just the main pot. The idea is to check all the way to try and take a player out. A check down is important only if you are close to the prizes or points or trying to make a bigger prize or points. People will get upset with you if you don’t check down, but it not always best to check down. If you have paired the board or have a pocket pair that you feel is the best hand after the flop it is a good idea to bet out the other players. They may have over cards that they could hit to beat you. Ultimately, you want to win the hand, but you want to take out the other player too. If you have hit nothing on the flop, turn, or river it makes no sense to bet the other player out as they may be able to knock the other one out. What if the other player makes a bet? In most check down situations a bet means I have the winning hand get out of the way. Unless you are sure that you have the winning hand I would fold. I would also make a point in reminding the other player that you thought we were going to check it down. It may help in a later check down situation, but don’t be mean or sarcastic able it just make sure they know that you expect them to have the best hand if they bet you out. Remember that you can never verbalize a check down, that is considered collusion. Just pat your hand on the table to signify check. Once again a check down is not a rule of poker; it is considered an etiquette part of poker. Whether you check down or not is up to you, not the other players in the hand.