Checking in the Dark is usually an accepted play when, there is one player that is Pot-Committed on an All-In, and 2 other players are in on the action with the
hands they have, so the say to each other check in the dark?? and agree to see it down. To perhaps beat out the one that may get bumped out of a Tournament, rather than isolate the play and end up losing the pot and causing the guy that folded to have won and taking the All-In Player out.
I have seen this in WPT events, on TV, at Binions (Downtown Chad Brown - host)
But I have seen where the isolation play let someone back in. The Aussie Millions 2007, I believe. Jimmy Fricke (luck bag) Bet into a Pot with 3- players in the action (Andrew Black, I believe was the player he got to fold), Isolated the All-In Player on the flop and lost to a better hand, where the Best hand folded due to chip Lead agression. I believe it was K-7d suited and would have won the pot and knocked out the All-In..(either trips 7's or the flush)
So, whats better in this instance..Play the All-in 3 handed to 'knock-out' an opponent in a Tournament..or double him up out of greed??
Double-edged sword...
Checking in the Dark Pre-Flop is only binding when it is agreed upon...means no looking at your cards.
This usually happens when it has been folded around to the small blind that limps in. Or by saying you can bet whatever on your hand, and I will call in the dark as long as we check it down, to the river.
This usually happens when the 'blind call' player has a Huge stack vs. a crippled stack, and a mercy 'let luck decide' play..The Pro's do this in a 'Confidence' move to give a 'Loose' impression. Like in Daniel Negreanu..will say "OK, Let's Gamble"...and Mike Matisow (for what ever reason) does this often..like thats gonna help his game any??