Probe bet
A bet made out of position on the turn or river after the pre-flop aggressor declined to continuation-bet on the previous street. It 'probes' a range that has shown weakness by checking.
Frequently asked questions
What is a probe bet in poker?
Betting the turn from out of position after the preflop raiser checked back the flop. The check capped their range, so you lead into it rather than checking again.
Why is it profitable?
Because a player who passes on the flop rarely has a strong hand. Their range is mostly air and weak pairs, which means a modest turn bet folds out a great deal and faces very few raises.
How is a probe bet different from a donk bet?
Timing. A donk bet leads the flop into an uncapped range; a probe bet leads the turn into a range that has already shown weakness. The second is far better founded, which is why it should be made at a much higher frequency.