When to just call ?

[eddo31]

another concept here is the way ahead/way behind theory.

when you arent really certain where you stand, but you know that you want to go to showdown, it is often best to check/call. betting out will often make someone with a lesser hand fold, and you will gain nothing, and it also exposes you to a raise which puts you in a tough spot. when you raise you are basically in the same situation, where you may not get called when you are ahead and can get raised when you are behind.

this is basically a tactic that allows you to go to showdown as cheaply as possible when you are not sure where you stand in the hand. i dont think that it should be used all that often, and you should never turn into a calling station, but this play does have its place.