What follows are the most basic player actions common to all forms of online poker.
Check
The option to check is available when nobody has bet before you in a betting round. This is effectively calling with a bet of $0. There is no need to place any money in the pot and the next action continues with the next player. If it occurs that the all players have checked, then the game of poker continues to the next stage.
Bet
This is the action of placing chips or wagers into the pot. The person doing this first is the one opening the betting. With online poker gaming, there are oftentimes limits where the bet is a set sum.
Call
This action takes place when players either equal the previous bet or raise the bet. It may well occur that a player wagers $20 and another player raises this by $10. The resultant bet would be $30 in the pot to call.
Raise
When a poker player raises a bet, then he or she increases the amount of the previous bet. It may occur that a table with a betting limit of $5 results in one player raising the bet by $5 – making his/her total bet in that round $10.
Fold
Folding takes place when you place your cards face down on the table (online or bricks & mortar poker rooms) and quit the current hand. Players fold because they have bad hands or because they are unable to call the previous bet.
Sound poker strategy dictates that players make the right poker moves. Winning or losing a game is dependent on this. Moves have meaning and players are advised to understand the implications of their gaming actions.
