In the great world of poker games, players encounter various strategic decisions during a hand. One of the fundamental actions in poker is the “call.” Understanding when and how to use this action can significantly impact a player’s success at the table.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the ins and outs of poker calling, its rules, when to use it, and when to avoid it. We’ll also delve into practical examples, compare them with other poker actions, and discuss their implications on gameplay.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, mastering the art of call poker is essential for honing your skills and improving your chances of winning.
WHAT IS A CALL IN A POKER HAND?
A call in poker means matching the current bet or raise made by another player. By calling, a player agrees to stay in the hand and contribute the same amount of chips or money as the previous bettor or raiser. It signifies a willingness to continue participating in the current betting round without raising the stakes.
MAIN RULES FOR USING CALL POKER FOR POKER PLAYERS
These are the general rules of calling in poker:
- A call must be equal to the amount of the previous bet or raise to remain in the hand.
- Players can only call after someone else has placed a bet or raised. Calling is not an option in the first betting round.
- When facing a bet, a player can fold, call, or raise. The call is a less aggressive action compared to a raise, which increases the bet.
- When facing a raise, a player has the option to fold, call the raised amount, or re-raise (raise even more).
- If all players at the poker table choose to call the big blind instead of raising, it creates a “limped pot.“
WHEN TO USE CALL POKER IN A BETTING ROUND?
Making a flat call shouldn’t be your knee-jerk reaction. There are some things you should assess before deciding whether a flat call or another action is suitable for that moment. In fact, this is how you should play the game!
- Drawing Hands: Calling is advantageous when you have a drawing hand, meaning you need one or more cards to complete a strong hand like a flush or straight. It allows you to see more cards without investing too much money.
- Pot Odds: When the pot odds are favorable, calling can be a wise decision. If the potential payout is higher than the investment needed to call, it might be profitable to stay in the hand.
- Slow Playing: In certain situations, calling can be part of a strategic slow-play. If you have a strong hand, calling rather than raising might lure opponents into betting more, increasing the overall pot size.
WHEN NOT TO USE CALL POKER IN BETTING ROUND?
In your attempt to make the best hand in the round and win the pot, you might be trying to play every hand, regardless of what your hole cards are. This is far from ideal, especially when poker calling is considered, given that you’ll have to wager money in the process.
- Weak Hands: Calling with a weak hand that has little potential for improvement is generally not recommended. It can lead to losing chips without a reasonable chance of winning the hand.
- Out of Position: Calling out of position, meaning you act before the original bettor in the betting round, can put you at a disadvantage. It allows opponents to gain information on your hand before making their move.
- Over-Calling: Over-calling, or calling multiple bets in one betting round, can be risky and lead to overcommitting with marginal hands.
CALL POKER IN PRACTICE
Here are two examples that might answer the question of why your opponent calls and ends up having a solid hand, more often than not! Remember that the best hand wins most of the time, but getting the better of the other player can still win you the pot!
Let’s imagine a scenario in a Texas Hold’em poker game. You are in middle position, and Player B to your right raises the bet to €20. You have pocket aces (A, A) in your hand. You decide to call the €20 to see the flop, hoping for that your pocket aces make a three of a kind or better.
Here’s another example. Let’s assume you’re playing cash games and hold a pair of sevens (7, 7) in your hand. The Player B to your left raises to €30. Considering the pot odds, you decide to call the €30, hoping to hit a set (three of a kind) on the flop.
CALL POKER VS. OTHER POKER ACTIONS
Understanding how a call in poker compares to other actions is crucial for making informed decisions during a game. Here’s a brief overview of other common poker actions that you simply must know about before sitting at a poker table.
POKER CHECK
A check involves passing the action to the next player without wagering any chips. It is only possible when no one else has placed a bet before you. Most poker players commonly use check when they want to see the next community cards without adding to the pot (especially when there isn’t a next player in the current street).
POKER FOLD
The fold poker move means discarding your hand and forfeiting any chips already invested in the pot. The poker fold move is used when they believe their hand is too weak to compete or when they want to avoid unnecessary risks. If you opt for a poker fold, your folded cards cannot feature in the game until after the betting round ends.
In order to save their chips, players usually opt for folding preflop, seeing as it is the closest thing of a “free round” in the game, except if you’ve already paid the small blind or big blind. Opting for the fold poker move in the last round isn’t very feasible, since some money would have already been invested at this point.
POKER BET
A bet is when a player initiates the betting action by placing chips into the pot. The first bettor thus sets the opening bet for the subsequent players in the round. After the initial bet, players can call, fold or raise. The minimum raise has to be exactly more than the existing bet.
POKER RAISE
Raising involves increasing the current bet amount made by another player. By raising, a player makes it more expensive for others to stay in the current hand (and possible betting rounds after that) and adds to the pot.
RE-RAISE
A re-raise occurs when a player raises the initial player’s bet that has already been raised by another player in the same round. In essence, a re-raise is simply a raise of a previous raise.
CHECK-RAISE
Check-raise is a tactical move where a player initially checks, intending to raise if another player bets behind them. A check-raise can be used to build the pot or lure opponent bets.
All-in
The all-in move refers to a player betting all of their remaining chips or money on a single hand. When a player goes all-in, they commit everything they have left in their stack, regardless of how much the previous player bet.
The remaining players in the hand must either call, fold or re-raise (the only exception when this isn’t allowed is when other players have fewer chips than the amount of the all-in). This poker move is usually used in the final round when only two players remain.
There are no raises allowed if the other players don’t have more chips; either a call or a fold is allowed in that case.
CONCLUSION
Mastering the art of calling in poker is crucial for any player seeking success at the poker table. Understanding when to call, fold, and when to use other poker actions can significantly impact gameplay and overall profitability.
Simply calling allows players to see more cards, exploit favourable pot odds, and set up strategic plays like slow-playing or drawing to premium hands. However, it’s essential to use calling wisely and avoid overcommitting with weak hands, just a decent hand or calling in early position.
By incorporating smart calling strategies into your gameplay, you can become a more versatile and successful poker player.
FAQ
✅ Can I call poker when I know another player is bluffing?
Yes, calling when you suspect an opponent is bluffing can be a profitable move, especially if you have a strong read on their play style and betting patterns.
✅ Is player position important in call poker?
Absolutely. Player position is crucial in poker, including calling decisions. Being in a late position allows you to gather more information about opponents’ actions before making your own decision.
✅ Does call poker affect the strategy of the game?
Yes, calling is an integral part of poker strategies, and it can influence various aspects, such as pot building, reading opponents, and determining optimal betting actions.
✅ Does using call poker in the game allow you to be more unpredictable?
Yes, using a balanced mix of wagering, raising, and calling makes your play more unpredictable, making it challenging for opponents to put you on specific hands.
✅ Is it worth using call poker in Texas Hold’em?
Yes, calling is a vital aspect of Texas Hold’em strategy. Knowing when and how to call can lead to more profitable play and better overall results.