Poker Betting

This page explains the various actions you can take during a poker betting round for most poker games.

Open

When you make the first bet in a betting round, this is called opening the bet. In poker games that use blinds, the blind bets “open” and other players call or raise, but do not open.

Call

Calling is used when you are facing a bet and you agree to match the bet without increasing the stakes. In other words, if a player before you bets $50 into the pot, you have to call $50 to stay in the hand.

Check

A “check” can be used when you are not facing a bet. In other words, there is no amount to call. When this happens you can check. Keep in mind that blinds are considered bets so you can’t check against a blind. For example, on the first betting round in Texas Holdem, a player must at least call the amount of the big blind and cannot check. The person who is in the big blind position might get the option to check if no one raises before them.

Raise

Raising is used when you are facing a bet and you agree to match the bet without increasing the stakes. In other words, if a player before you bets $50 into the pot, you have to call $50 to stay in the hand.

Fold

When you fold, you give your cards back to the dealer and give up on the possibility of winning the current pot. You don’t get to act on any subsequent betting rounds. You just sit and wait until the hand is over a a new hand begins. If all but one player folds, he or she wins the pot by default and does not have to show his cards.

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