One of the basic things a beginning poker player learns is their basic options when it is their turn to bet. For example, they can bet, fold, raise, or check (depending on where they are in relation to the dealer).

The smart player, though, does not need to bet.

This poker philosophy may surprise most people and seem like it goes against the very nature of the game. The only options you should consider are to check, raise, or fold. Here is why:

First, if you have the option to check, why wouldn't you want to know how the other players are going to play? This knowledge gives you a much stronger position, and helps balance the weakness that you have of being the first person to play. After all, why should the last person to play have the advantage over you?

If you have the option of fold, and you don't have a very good hand, the smart player will fold. Don't bother playing just because you're curious to know what the other players have. If you do not think that you have a good hand, get out. This is called tight play. Tight play is what the good players do: they play hard when their hand is good or get out when their hand is bad.

The third option is to raise. If you do not have the option to check, and you don't want to fold, then you should raise. After all, if you believe that you have the very best hand in the game, why would you want to leave the pot the way it is? You want to win as much as possible! That's the point of the game! If you have the confidence to stay in, you should back it up with money. That way, by constantly raising, you will force out the weaker players and build a bigger pot and show yourself to be a powerful and bold player. Being a powerful and bold player will scare the other players: you will chip away at the weaker players' money by winning their antes and you will shake the confidence of the better players by playing tight. The better players will know that when you raise you have the hand to back up the money you are putting in the pot.

So don't bother betting any more. If you have a bad hand, get out. If you have a good hand, back it up with a substantial raise and see who else is willing to match your level of confidence. You will lose some because people may end up having a better hand than you, but you will win and you will win big.

Jeff Lakie is the founder of Poker Information a website providing information on Poker