Full explanation — Check-Raise
A check-raise happens when a player checks their turn to act, then raises after another player bets into them. It is one of the strongest moves in poker because it can represent two very different situations: a trapped monster hand hoping to build the pot, or a well-timed bluff exploiting perceived weakness after the initial check. Because it carries so much weight, opponents often fold marginal hands to a check-raise, making it a powerful tool in both value and bluffing lines.