When to Smooth Call or Check Raise

Okay, so you're asking yourself what is a smooth call and what is a check raise? Both are excellent tools to have in your arsenal when playing online poker, and when played correctly can win you even more money.

Now, the smooth call is when you hold either AA or KK in late position and their is a large bet in front of you. You call instead of re-raising. Why you ask? Well this is where reading your opponent and knowing their betting patterns come in handy. For instance, you know that Player X is a pretty tight player and only raises with a good preflop hand such as a high pocket pair or suited connectors and will generally raise post flop with these hands. You also know that a re-raise by you may cause alarm and make him fold, but you want him to play as you know he probably has a weaker hand than yours. However, by your calling his bet he will think he has the advantage the rest of the hand, which will keep him firing bets and ultimately lead to his downfall.

The check raise is similar to the smooth call except is generally used in early position with a solid hand post flop. Ideally this play is used to entice betting after you so that you can re-raise to increase the pot when you have flopped a monster, such as a ace high flush, full house, or quads.

As always, it is typically stated to never slow play monsters, but by using these two items it can change up your betting patterns, keeping those that are wise to watching betting patterns guessing to your strategy. Also, keep in mind that should you use these and miss the flop or the flop is scary to you and your opponent comes out firing you need to be cautious of your next play as he couldnow have a better hand than you or may have a very strong drawing hand. Play smartly and if your instincts say fold, then fold.