Lesson 4 of 5 3 min
Poker 101
Betting Basics: Check, Call, Raise, Fold
The four actions you take, when each makes sense, and the unwritten rules.
Your four actions
Every time it's your turn, you choose one of:
- •Check — pass the action. Only legal if no one has bet yet.
- •Call — match the current bet to stay in the hand.
- •Raise (Bet) — put more chips in. If no one's bet yet, it's called a 'bet'; if someone has, it's a 'raise'.
- •Fold — give up your hand and lose any chips already in the pot.
When to do what (simplified)
A useful starting framework:
- •Strong hand? Bet or raise for value — get more money in.
- •Decent hand, want to see more cards? Check or call.
- •Drawing to a flush/straight? Call if the pot odds justify it (lesson 5).
- •Nothing? Fold. Folding is profitable. You don't have to play every hand.
Three rules new players break
1) Don't limp (just call the big blind preflop) — raise or fold. Limping is a leak. 2) Don't slowplay AA on wet boards — bet for protection. 3) Don't hero-call with marginal hands when your gut says you're beat. Listen to your gut.
Key takeaway
Check / Call / Raise / Fold. Bet your strong hands, fold your trash, and never limp preflop.
See unfamiliar terms? Check the full glossary.