Weak or not Weak?

[Talking Poker]

I believe by betting here, as opposed to checking and calling, you are costing yourself money.

Simply put...

If you bet:
If he has nothing, he folds. You win 0 more bets.
If he has you beat, he raises, you call, and you lose 2 bets.

If you check:
If he has nothing, he might fold (no difference than above), but he may bluff at it, winning you 1 extra bet.
If he has you beat, he bets, you call, and you lose 1 bet, as opposed to the 2 above.

The only way betting is a more profitable play is when you bet and he calls with a hand weaker than your top pair. I believe this will happen far less often than the other scenarios above that earn you (or save you) one more bet.

That's the check and call in a nutshell.