15. The Betting Round

Check
If no player has placed a bet or if the player is on an un-raised big blind, the player has the alternative to check. That means declining to bet, but retaining the option to remain in the hand if someone else bets, or even to call or raise if someone else bets. A player can not “check” if someone else has placed a bet. If another player bets after a check, the checking player is forced to either call, raise or fold.

Fold
A player always has the option to fold. When a player folds his hand he is no longer in the game until the next hand.

Call
A player has the option to call when another player has placed a bet. When the player calls, he puts in the same amount as the bet in the pot and the betting round is ended unless another player raises.

Bet
If no one else has placed a bet, the player can bet himself. A bet will force the other players to either call, raise or fold. The amount of the bet depends on the betting structure.

Raise
The player has the option to raise another player’s bet. The player then raises to an amount higher than the bet, which forces the other players to either call, re-raise or fold.