<p>It's when you 'check' (choose not to bet anything) after all players before you have checked.  Often with a good hand you'll want to do this to give your opponent(s) an opportunity to improve and be willing to bet.  With a weak hand you might want to do this if you suspect your opponent is slow-playing a good hand for the same reason.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-10-19T21:02:43.777Z
With an un-beatable hand it is a good idea to check behind, and let someone catch up.  Otherwise, you want to make bets which make it a mistake for them to attempt to draw out - because more often than you want, they will draw out.
RobW
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-10-19T21:25:08.413Z
Mostly good advice for a normal situation in a cash game.  However, like nearly all advice on poker strategy, it depends.  There are other factors that affect this decision, so don't take this as a hard and fast rule.  This is why I said 'often' in the answer above.
Neal Tibrewala
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-08-27T02:51:28.477Z
2011-08-28T15:54:16.513Z
2011-08-28T15:54:16.513Z
Neal Tibrewala
<p>Checking behind is when you are last to act, and you check.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-26T08:10:21.293Z
Is this identical to the other answer?  If you, it'd be better to vote it up instead of answering yourself.  If not, please expand upon the differences so that voters can make an informed choice.  Thanks!
Pat Ludwig
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-26T17:54:00.227Z
The other answer says that it is checking behind when all players before you have checked.  If there is someone behind you still to act, that is not (what I know as) checking behind.
Chris Marasti-Georg
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-01-13T21:38:49.173Z
According to http://www.pokerstrategy.com/glossary/Check-Behind/, @ChrisMarasti-Georg is right - it's only a check-behind if you're last to act.
gkrogers
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-01-16T21:50:22.547Z
It is a real advantage to check (bet, or raise) "behind," (after everyone else has acted) which is why you can play weaker cards than usual on the "button," or "last" position.
Tom Au
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-12-20T19:04:16.790Z
2011-12-20T19:04:16.790Z
Chris Marasti-Georg
<p>In poker terminology, there's something called "checking behind". What does this mean?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-11-09T14:27:15.533Z
If you are interested in Poker please commit to the new [Poker SE Currently on Area 51](http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/3425/poker?referrer=AGKNzHVrmSTgMMEpzVsZAg2)
Chad
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-11-09T17:50:38.430Z
I'm already commited there :)
Teo.sk
<poker><poker-texas-holdem>
What does it mean to check behind?
Teo.sk
# What does it mean to check behind?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2011-08-26)

In poker terminology, there's something called "checking behind". What does this mean?

**Tags:** poker, poker-texas-holdem

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: If you are interested in Poker please commit to the new [Poker SE Currently on Area 51](http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/3425/poker?referrer=AGKNzHVrmSTgMMEpzVsZAg2)  
> **username_0**: I'm already commited there :)  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2011-08-27. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

It's when you 'check' (choose not to bet anything) after all players before you have checked. Often with a good hand you'll want to do this to give your opponent(s) an opportunity to improve and be willing to bet. With a weak hand you might want to do this if you suspect your opponent is slow-playing a good hand for the same reason.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: With an un-beatable hand it is a good idea to check behind, and let someone catch up.  Otherwise, you want to make bets which make it a mistake for them to attempt to draw out - because more often than you want, they will draw out.  
> **username_2**: Mostly good advice for a normal situation in a cash game.  However, like nearly all advice on poker strategy, it depends.  There are other factors that affect this decision, so don't take this as a hard and fast rule.  This is why I said 'often' in the answer above.  

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### Answer by username_4 on 2011-12-20. Score: 3

Checking behind is when you are last to act, and you check.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: Is this identical to the other answer?  If you, it'd be better to vote it up instead of answering yourself.  If not, please expand upon the differences so that voters can make an informed choice.  Thanks!  
> **username_4**: The other answer says that it is checking behind when all players before you have checked.  If there is someone behind you still to act, that is not (what I know as) checking behind.  
> **username_6**: According to http://www.pokerstrategy.com/glossary/Check-Behind/, @ChrisMarasti-Georg is right - it's only a check-behind if you're last to act.  
> **username_7**: It is a real advantage to check (bet, or raise) "behind," (after everyone else has acted) which is why you can play weaker cards than usual on the "button," or "last" position.  

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