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  There are situations when calling for the check is an easy decision. For example, when you are on the third date with someone who looks like centerfold model and she is giving you the sort of look that could even jump start Viagra pitchman Bob Dole without the help of pharmaceuticals. In that case you're probably yelling "check" before the bread basket is even served. At the poker table the situation usually isn't that cut and dried. So when is the best moment to check when playing a game of Holdem?



  Well first of all, if a maniac is playing behind you, that is a perfect opportunity to check. These people generally bluff with the same precision and focus as somebody trying to kill a mouse with a hand grenade. In short, they bluff for the sake of bluffing. If you bet, they are simply going to call and probably raise anyway, so why should you do the heavy lifting? Let them do the betting. Your check also lends further anonymity to your hand, and helps make it more difficult for them to put you on a hand.



  Another good time to check is when you are working on a straight or flush and are sitting in the early position. In this case your job is to see the next card or two as cheaply as possible. With other players yet to act, your bet may inspire somebody to raise. Just keep your head down, check, and hope you only have to call one bet.



  Check when the pot odds do not justify you putting money into the pot. You are staying in the hand because you want to win the money that is there, and are banking that the pot odds will change later in the hand, but at the moment you can't justify a bet.



  Lastly, check if the flop has given you a winner of a hand, and you want as many people feeding the pot as possible. In this case you are slowplaying, and letting others dictate the action. You will be sitting there with your monster hand, and will just allow the others to throw money into the pot, not knowing that they are playing for second place. In this case you just don't want to scare anyone away.



  Good Luck!