Difference Between Check and Call in Poker

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In poker, checking and calling are two different actions that players can take during a betting round. Understanding the difference between these two moves is crucial for successful poker strategy.

Checking occurs when a player decides not to bet, passing the action to the next player without putting any additional money into the pot. A player can only check when no bets have been made in the current betting round. If all players check, the betting round ends and the game proceeds to the next phase.

Calling happens when a player matches the current bet made by another player. If someone has already bet, subsequent players must either call （match the bet）, raise （increase the bet）, or fold （surrender their hand）. Calling requires putting chips into the pot equal to the current bet amount.

The key distinction is that checking requires no bet to be made, while calling requires matching an existing bet. Checking is free, while calling costs chips. Both actions allow players to continue in the hand without increasing their investment beyond the current betting level.