Calling Station

A calling station in poker is a player who frequently calls bets instead of raising or folding, often regardless of their hand strength.

Understanding Calling Station

In poker, a Calling Station is a player who frequently calls bets instead of raising or folding. They tend to play passively, rarely initiating the action themselves. This term is often used in a derogatory way, as these players can be difficult to bluff due to their tendency to call regardless of their hand strength.

Significance of Calling Station

The Calling Station is significant in the game of poker because they can disrupt typical betting patterns and strategies. They can be frustrating to play against, especially for players who rely heavily on aggressive betting and bluffing tactics.

Calling Station Strategy

When playing against a calling station, the best strategy is often to play straightforwardly and avoid bluffing. Since calling stations tend to call bets regardless of their hand strength, they are unlikely to fold in response to a bluff. Instead, focus on value betting when you have a strong hand.

Examples of "Calling Station"

• In a Texas Hold'em game, a player who consistently calls bets, even with weak hands, is a calling station.
• In a game of Omaha, a player who rarely folds or raises and instead prefers to call bets can be considered a calling station.
• In a poker tournament, a player who disrupts the usual betting patterns by frequently calling bets is often referred to as a calling station.

Calling Station FAQs