Checking in the Dark

This is been happening a lot lately. Can someone explain to me the advantage of "checking in the dark (which is checking before the flop is revealed)" when you're the first to act? I don't really understand why players seem to be doing it more and more. This is live, not online.

Generally, it's done to represent strength, and can be used as a ractic to "steal the button" by bringing the action, if there is any, to you last. In actual fact, it is often used as a blocking or probing technique. If you have, for example, AX sooted, or a medium pocket pair, the advantages to limiting action until you've seen the flop, and other players reaction to it, can be. considerable.

Like said, most people just like to divert action to the other person. You give him the option of a free card, but it obscures thoughts on your hand.

Ive used it a few times if i call a raise from the bb with suited connectors, i then check in the dark and not give away anything about my hand. With suited connectors if i hit the flop big i dont mind giving away a free card as it very unlikely to put your opponent in the lead. But if i have a draw i can check in the dark and hope for a check behind. If i completely miss the flop however by checking in the dark, your opponent has no idea if youve hit the flop or not and may be willnig to just check it down

Ive played at the Borgata in Atlantic city and I cant count how many times people would check in the dark...i always wondered why....i guess now i know....but i mean even if you would check after the flop came wouldnt you still be making the other person act first??? i dont understan??

i do it to gain position on opponentz

1) Gain position
2) Always can put in a c/r against one opponent (who has probably raised and you call and will likely c-bet)
3) Hides your hand strength (if you don't overdo it, if you always do it with certain hands, villain can put you on them and act accordingly)

4) But, more importantly, if you see this @ home games or small stakes in casinos, it's because villain has seen Negreanu/Hellmuth do it on HSP.

It loses value fast when you are facing more than one opponent since your opponents' hand strength is also hidden/squewed with (second to act can bet a hand he wouldn't even call with).