Two conditions are
needed to check-raise for value - that is, when you expect
you might be called by a worse hand. First, you must think
you have the best hand, but not such a great hand that a
slow play would be proper. Second, you must be quite sure
someone behind you will bet if you check. Let's say on fourth
street in seven-card stud someone bets with showing, and
with you're getting sufficient pot odds to call. Now on
fifth street you catch a king to make kings up. Here you
might check-raise if you are pretty sure the player representing
queens will bet.
This second condition - namely, that someone behind you
will bet after you check - is very important. When you plan
to check-raise, you should always keep in mind that you
could be making a serious, double-edged mistake if you check
and no one bets behind you. You are giving a free card to
opponents who would have folded your bet, and in addition
you are losing a bet from those who would have called. So
you had better be very sure the check-raise will work before
you try it.
