While you generally check-raise because you think you have
the best hand, it is frequently correct to check-raise with
a second-best hand if the play will drive other opponents
out. The principle here is identical to the principle of raising
with what you think is the second-best hand. If the probable
best hand is to your immediate right, you can check, wait
for that player to bet, then raise so that the rest of the
table will fold rather than call a double bet. While you may
not be the favorite, you have still increased your chances
of winning the pot, and you have the extra equity of whatever
dead money is in the pot from earlier betting rounds.
Sometimes you can check-raise with a come hand like a four-flush
if there are many people in the pot already and you don't
expect a reraise; for you are getting good enough odds, especially
if you have a couple of cards to come. This play should usually
be made only when the probable bettor is to your immediate
left; then the other players will call that bettor before
they realize you are putting in a raise. You do not want to
drive players out because you want to get the correct odds
for your raise.
