CHECK CALL Meaning and
Definition
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Check Call:
Check call is a term commonly used in poker and other gambling games, which refers to a specific action taken by a player during a betting round. It involves choosing to check when there has been no bet made by any other player and then subsequently matching the bet of another player during the same round. It essentially allows the player to stay in the hand without adding any additional money to the pot.
A check call occurs when a player decides to check when their turn comes up during a betting round. This means that they are choosing not to make a bet themselves but rather pass the action onto the next player. If no other player chooses to bet, the player who initiated the check call can choose to call a subsequent bet made by another player.
The purpose of a check call is often tactical, used to induce other players into betting more, or to gauge the strength of their own hand against the other players. It can be considered a defensive move because it allows the player to stay in the hand without putting additional money at risk, while also potentially gaining information about the other players' betting patterns or the strength of their hands.
Check calling can be an effective strategy in certain situations, such as when a player has a marginal hand or when they suspect another player is bluffing. However, it can also be an indication of a weak hand, as players with strong hands often prefer to bet and raise rather than check call.
Etymology of CHECK CALL
The term "check call" is commonly used in poker.
The etymology of "check" in poker can be traced back to the Middle English word "chekken", which means to stop or block. It is derived from the Old French word "eschec", meaning to checkmate in chess.
The term "call" in poker comes from the verb "to call", which means to match the bet made by another player.
Therefore, combining the terms "check" and "call" in poker, "check call" refers to a player who first checks (decides not to bet) and then later decides to match the bet made by another player.
Outside of poker, the term "check call" is also used in telecommunication, where it refers to a process of verifying a caller's identity by allowing them to place the call and then verifying it before connecting the call.
