when to check raise?

i've noticed over the past few months i NEVER check raise.....it got me thinkin' as to when the best times to do it are....like if ya flop the nuts (or turn, or river), have a huge draw with many outs, or just a stone bluff? this is a move i'd like to start incorporating into my game, i'm just not sure when the best times to do it are....do y'all do it from early position or late? what does it mean when someone (LAG) check raises you?

I generally do most of my check/raising from early position... no idea why...

MM i like to usually check raise in Limit hold em because it's kind of a different vibe when you do something like that because then the player will second thought his 2nd highest pair of low pair and might realize that you got them beat when in reality you couldn't beat a fly with your hand...

If a guy is aggressive, betting every time I check a flop, I'll check raise him light (as a bluff) on occasion.
I'll also check/raise that guy when I have a hand to get some more chips and give him improper odds to chase a draw.

Another check/raise opportunity is when M is low, I have a big hand, and they'll feel committed to call the check/shove (often because they have the proper odds to do so).
For example, lets say that I have 4k and the pot is 3k and I check, they put in 2k with their overcards, and I shove for 2k more. Now it's 2k for them to win the 9k that's out there (instead of me just shoving and them having to call $4k to win a 7k pot).

Well thats a tough one to answer, its kind of a feel thing. A check-raise for the most part should be used OOP in a heads up or 3-way pot against an aggressive opponent.

EX.
When an aggressive opponent raises PF in late position and you call from BB. You flop what you think is the best hand. This is the perfect spot for a check-raise.

First, it's hard to check-raise from late position, because it's unlikely there's someone to check to.

Check raise is most profitably used against players who regularly/constantly c-bet their preflop raise, especially button raisers. It doesn't matter, sometimes, if it is a check-raise bluff or feeler bet -- it is quite possible the flop missed Mr. Pre-flop raiser also, and will often convince him to exit. If he re-raises, the flop probably did not miss him and you know to fold. If you have a great hand, you can either call or shove then. It's fun either way.

The check-raise can also be used profitably with a very good hand. I will sometimes check-raise on the turn not the flop, because I want the other guy to feel confident) with the nuts or a set, particularly against an aggressive player who will keep betting his TPTK -- but remember that will mean you will have to keep leading out the bet. Few players will bet if checked to after they've been check-raised -- unless they have a monster.

The best time to check raise would be when your out of position and you beleive you have the best hand. Most of the time when you call out of position you check to the raiser and 75% of the time he will c-bet. So check to him when you hit top pair and raise his c-bet. Another situation i like to check raise, when i have p-p like 9's and the board hits blanks and he makes a c-bet, but this scenario is tricky because he could have a higher p-p.

i find when i check raise a min c-bet out of pos on the flop, they fold (especially lags that are pokin' at the pot for no reason) heads up that is. multi-way i donno.

When you have a monster draw(at times)
When you think the board doesn't hit any of their range
When you have the best hand and think they will call or ship over you
When there is a scary board and you put them on a PP only
To create Fold equity
When you want to put them to a test
As a bluff (see FE)

There are so many places to try a C/R in cash games that there is no one place to do it. Experience shows me that most either do it seldom w/o a big hand, or the other end in that they are very predictable as to when they will C/R you.

IMO a C/R oop is stronger looking than one in position. This often occurs when you float oop. So your c/r looks very strong regardless of hand.