No Check-raising Allowed?

[Al Mirpuri]

I play tight aggressive Seven Card Stud.

I have read SCSFAP, Poker Essays 1, 2 +3 though not Roy West or Othmer's book yet.

I bet, call, raise and reraise. I show no fear. S & M would be proud.

However, looking at my stats I have discovered I rarely check-raise. I think there are only two reasons for this. I also think both to be true. First, I dominate the game I play in and the chasers would love a free card and I cannot give it. Second, I am passing up some EV+ check-raising situations.

Has anyone noticed anything like this in their play?

It would be nice to hear from anyone but especially AndyB!

[PoorLawyer]

If you are getting in the bets, everyone is calling, and you are winning, there probably isnt a lot of room to check-raise or a need to throw it into your game very often.
Has anyone seen anything written about how often you should check-raise?

[shakingspear]

I've been thinking about this myself. I always think of the check raise after I've already bet (or I think of it a couple of hands later). I've come to the conclusion (so far) that it is situational, based on the player you're against, your cards that are showing, etc.

But I suppose that's kind of obvious...

[Eddie901]

Yep, I can relate to this. I seldom find an opportunity to check-raise.

Been wondering whether I am missing bets on the river because of this as I usually value bet any reasonable hand. But in the low limits I play (1/2), I figure there's not much in it either way.

[Fierce Lion7]

If you are playing low limits, you rarely get a chance to use the check-raise as everyone is usually so passive that they will take the free card.

The only time I get to use it is if I am playing low limit Hold 'em.

It is a great tool there because when you want a free card in the future, a lot of folks will be afraid that you will check-raise them if they bet.

I have put in 36 check raises in 1/2 over 2400 hands. Most of these were on fourth street and the rest were on the river.

If a passive player makes it a full bet from the bring in on Stud, you can almost always check-raise fourth.

If you have a monster on the river and know your enemy has a great hand you can do it there as well. Apart from that you are just giving them free cards.

Sorry, but that's all there is to it in a weak passive low limit game.

Fierce Lion7

[PoorLawyer]

[ QUOTE ]
If you are playing low limits, you rarely get a chance to use the check-raise as everyone is usually so passive that they will take the free card.

The only time I get to use it is if I am playing low limit Hold 'em.

It is a great tool there because when you want a free card in the future, a lot of folks will be afraid that you will check-raise them if they bet.

I have put in 36 check raises in 1/2 over 2400 hands. Most of these were on fourth street and the rest were on the river.

If a passive player makes it a full bet from the bring in on Stud, you can almost always check-raise fourth.

If you have a monster on the river and know your enemy has a great hand you can do it there as well. Apart from that you are just giving them free cards.

Sorry, but that's all there is to it in a weak passive low limit game.

Fierce Lion7

[/ QUOTE ]

Is there a stat on PT for this somewhere? I looked earlier and didnt see it.

Never mind I found it. My numbers are pretty damn low on the check/raise.

[Andy B]

I rarely check-raise when playing low-limit stud. In general, your opponents can't be relied upon to bet your hand for you. If you never check-raise, you do tend to become predictable, but your opponents usaually play badly enough that you can still get the money.

An extension of this is that I don't check-raise enough in other games. I tend to just bludgeon people in hold'em.

If you ever make it through Othmer's book, let me know how it is.