"Normally," I'm still pretty much always for betting into the raiser, whether with probe bet or closer to full pot.

But I do think there are also situations for the check-raise. Basically, I think the looser the raiser, the more inclined you should be to check-raise as long as they'll still make a continuation bet. Actually, if the raiser is to your immediate left and the pot is multi-way, this can get you a pretty decent pot if someone else hits.

Often, no one at the table respects this kind of raiser, so you may even get a call or a raise before it gets back to you.

So, essentially, I'm saying that if you expect the raiser to have very little but to make a continuation bet, then the check-raise is a good option.

For probe bets vs. close to full pot, I think you need to look at the board as well as the raiser and your own history of playing with this raiser. Basically, you want to get raised here, and I find that most raisers have trouble with that if you bet full pot into them.

One other note on the check-raise: You need a REALIABLE continuation bet. You really don't want it checked all the way around. It's not an absolute disaster with a set, since you have drawing chances on the river against anything but an overset. But you also haven't built any kind of pot if it gets checked all the way around.

I agree that one should 80% of the time lead into the raiser with a set. However, the other 20% I like to check-raise/call because of 'protecting your checks' and not to be too predictable. I have to convince the table that I can have a real hand when I check. Important for future protection. I would not check-raise against a tight opponent but against a loose one it is effective.

MHFlush

When I'm OOP with a flopped set, I've had some success playing:

Flop--Lead into the raiser with 1/2 pot sized bet. If he raises, call after taking some time to decide.

Turn--Check it unless the draw really makes you wonder about your hand (like did he just hit his set).

River--Check-Raise all-in. An overpair often thinks his cards are good and you are trying to steal the pot from him. They also don't put you on a set b/c wouldn't you have raised the turn? Also, future river steal attempts have more credibility and your check/calls on the river will probably be more definable (i.e, they are less likely to try to bluff you on the river).

A change of pace type play.

I looked through all my pair hands searching for a hand where I got a set OOP and there was a preflop raiser. I found one.


FullTiltPoker Game #217631023: Table Westcliff - $0.25/$0.50 - No Limit Hold'em - 23:55:55 ET - 2005/09/13
Seat 1: AlamedaMike ($76.70)
Seat 3: Razorback3 ($43.70)
Seat 4: man_hands ($46.05)
Seat 5: Nickle-Ass ($36.75)
Seat 6: Zonker1972 ($19)
Seat 7: WhoozUrDaddy ($47.20)
Seat 8: cfeuer ($70.85)
Seat 9: CraigH98 ($29.55)
Zonker1972 posts the small blind of $0.25
WhoozUrDaddy posts the big blind of $0.50
The button is in seat #5
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AlamedaMike
cfeuer folds
CraigH98 folds
AlamedaMike calls $0.50
Razorback3 folds
man_hands folds
Nickle-Ass raises to $2
Zonker1972 folds
WhoozUrDaddy calls $1.50
AlamedaMike calls $1.50

*** FLOP ***

WhoozUrDaddy checks, AlamedaMike bets $6.25, Nickle-Ass calls $6.25
WhoozUrDaddy folds

*** TURN ***

AlamedaMike bets $18.75, Nickle-Ass calls $18.75

*** RIVER ***

AlamedaMike bets $49.70, and is all in
Nickle-Ass calls $9.75, and is all in
Uncalled bet of $39.95 returned to AlamedaMike

*** SHOW DOWN ***
AlamedaMike shows (four of a kind, Eights)
Nickle-Ass mucks
AlamedaMike wins the pot ($72.75) with four of a kind, Eights
Nickle-Ass is sitting out

The way I play a set changes a lot depending on a few circumstances. First off OOP in a multiway pot, I almost always check especially in a loose game. Let the Bettor bet out. If there are a couple of callers, I check raise if he bets it heads up, I just call and lead the turn about half pot and hope I get raised.

Heads up I like to lead into the raisor. Also if I am playing in a deep stack game I will almost always lead my sets because I need to build a big pot so, I can get all in. This is unless i am playing against a very agressive player that I think will pot commit himself. I have played live vs a bunch of player that love to overplay AA. raise to $30 preflop, then go all in for $200 more after the flop.