In limit hold 'em the best reason to check raise a pot is usually to exclude opponents from competing for the pot. You check-raise in order to drive out the opposition and limit the field.
When should you check raise in hold 'em?
It is correct to check raise when you believe that you have the best hand. It is not correct to check raise in poker when you are still slow playing your hand. If you are trying to make a flush or a straight do not check raise. If you have made your hand and want to stop a slowplayer from beating you then you can check raise.
It is also correct to check raise a pot in any kind of poker when you are confident that someone will bet behind you.
Is it ever correct to check raise with a drawing hand in poker?
You can do it in the following special circumstance. If you are confident that the player to your left will bet and at least two more players will call, then you can check raise. This should cause at least two players to fold.
What happens if I consistently check the flop?
There are only so many times that you can lure poker players into a trap, and a check raise always feels like a trap. Soon, players will check and the next card will just be free. This can work for or against you. If you still need a card than the strategy pays off, but you never want to give your opponents a free card if you already hold the strongest hand.
Isn't it rude to check raise?
If you're concerned about everyone's feelings you should write poetry instead of playing poker. You're there to take their money and beat them. Check raising is a vital part of effective poker strategy. There should be no hard feelings.
