The action “Call” is used frequently in poker.
“I use ‘Call’ somewhat casually,
but I don’t really know the correct meaning or how to use it…”
“For someone like you, this time I’ll teach you the meaning,
correct usage, timing, and points to be careful of regarding calls!”
Regarding the Rules of Texas Hold’em Poker, we explain them in detail in this article, so if you want to get better at poker, let’s read it together.
✅What you will learn in this article:
- The meaning of calling in poker
- Timing and judgment for using a call in poker
- Points to be careful of when using a call in poker
Now, let’s start with the meaning of a call!
[Basic Poker Knowledge] What is a Call?
A call is the action used when you want to bet the same amount as the opponent before you.
Whether the opponent has performed a call, raise, or all-in, if you use a call, you can bet the same amount.
Timing and Judgment When Calling in Poker
When calling in poker, it is necessary to judge the timing firmly.
The timing and points for judgment are the following three:
[Calling Timing 1] When you Want to Continue Participating in the Game
When you’re unsure if you can win, you still want to stay in the game, right?
To participate in the game, an action of a call or higher, which bets the same amount, is mandatory.
Since calling is an action that looks passive, overusing it is dangerous, but use it when you want to see how things go!
★Judgment Point★
If you currently have a one-pair completed and it seems likely to develop into a larger hand later, you should continue to participate while keeping the winnings (pot content) low.
If it’s within your withdrawal limit (e.g., not betting on a raise of XXX yen or more), please call!
~ Specific example in Texas Hold’em ~
Suppose your current hand is “7, 9” and the cards on the board in the flop are “7, 8, 10.”
At this point, a “one-pair of 7s” is completed, and if the opponent has no pair (high card) or a one-pair of 6s or lower, you win, and if a J (11) comes, it becomes a straight, bringing you closer to victory.
In such a case, you should call!
[Calling Timing 2] When there is a Possibility the Opponent is Bluffing
Calling is also an effective method when the opponent might be bluffing.
When your hand is somewhat strong or a hand that might become strong, and you think “that looks like a bluff” based on the opponent’s betting style, calling can make the opponent think, “How long will they follow?” or “Maybe the opponent has a really good hand?”
★ Judgment Point ★
Bluffs range from extreme ones, such as suddenly acting differently than before, to subtle ones with the same betting style as always.
To spot a bluff, it is quite difficult because you need to understand the opponent’s habits, but when you think “Is it a bluff?”, please try calling!
[Calling Timing 3] When your Hand is Strong, But you Want it to Look Weak
Calling is also an effective action when you want your hand to look like a weak hand.
Because a call is perceived as a passive action, if the opponent has a somewhat strong hand, you can make them raise and increase the prize money.
If the opponent raises, you can also add a raise (re-raise) when your turn comes around, so it is a convenient action when you want to increase the pot content (prize money) while catching the opponent off guard.
★ Judgment Point ★
A call predicated on a raise will end in a miss unless the opponent’s hand is somewhat assembled.
If you sense a strong atmosphere from the opponent, call to hide your own strength.
~ Specific example in Texas Hold’em ~
Suppose your hand is a pair of Js (11), and the three cards on the board are “2, 9, J.”
Since you have completed three-of-a-kind with Js, which is currently the strongest number, your victory is almost decided at this point, but because you want to increase the prize money, you temporarily hide your strength with a call and wait for the opponent to take the bait.
If the opponent is on the verge of a straight, like with “7, 8,” there is a possibility they will launch a fight (raise), and at that time, let’s aim for further prize money by re-raising.
If a straight is completed, you will lose, so you need to judge each time.
Types of Poker Calls
Even though we say “call” in one word, there are actually several types.
Therefore, here we will explain the types of calls.
Types of Calls
- Flat Call
- Cold Call
- Snap Call
Flat Call
A flat call refers to a call selected when your hand is strong.
“Why call on purpose when you’re strong? Wouldn’t it be better to raise?”
“Daring to call there is the strategy…!”
Under normal judgment, it is general to try to maximize profit by raising when you have a strong hand.
However, by daring to choose a call there, you hide the fact that you have a strong hand from the opponent.
By using flat calls skillfully, if you make the opponent believe “they don’t have a very strong hand…”, it will lead to making the pot larger, such as inducing a raise.
Cold Call
A cold call refers to the action of calling at the timing when someone raises after another person has bet.
“Eh, if someone raised, shouldn’t I be more cautious? The person who raised must have a strong hand, right…?”
“Yeah, that judgment is basically correct! If you’re raised, you should basically fold and cut your losses!”
The only time it’s okay to cold call is when your hand is exceptionally strong.
In this situation, remember to make folding the basic action and only call when a strong hand comes.
Snap Call
A snap call refers to calling immediately in response to an opponent’s raise.
It is a type of cold call in the sense of “calling after a raise,” but a snap call includes the nuance of “calling easily without a moment to think.”
“Eh, calling immediately… what does that mean?”
“The psychology of an opponent who snap calls is quite easy to understand!”
An opponent who snap calls might have a hand so strong that there is no need to think.
Or, they might have a subtle one-pair and be thinking, “A raise is bad, but I don’t want to fold…”
However, they might have already given up on the game or might truly not be thinking about anything, so observe carefully.
Precautions When Calling in Poker
Judging the timing is important, but when calling in poker, please don’t forget to pay attention to the following two things.
Be Careful Not to Overuse It!
In the case of beginners, when they think “I might somehow win,” they tend to call unintentionally.
However, in poker, a call is a passive action.
If you are thought of as “This player only calls,” when the opponent has a hand that seems likely to win, they will try to increase the prize money by raising, so your money will steadily melt away.
Therefore, for advanced poker players, you are nothing but a “duck” (fish), so be careful not to overuse calls to avoid having your chips exploited!
Know the Actions that Constitute a Call
Since a call is a frequently used action, depending on the casino, local rules exist.
In some casinos, you have to say “Call,” while in others, just sliding chips out is judged as a “Call.”
You don’t have to be careful when playing at online casinos, but those who might have a chance to go to a brick-and-mortar casino should remember this.
[Summary] What is the “Call” you often hear in poker?
The points I wanted to convey in this article are as follows.
○ A call is an action used when you want to bet the same amount of chips as the opponent.
○ Three timings and judgments for using a call
[Timing 1] When you want to stay in the game
→ In poker, you cannot continue participating in the game unless the amount you are betting at the table is the same as the other players. If you have an average pair (around 5 to 9) in your hand, or if it seems likely to turn into a straight later, call “within your tolerance level.”
■Judgment Points
・It’s not strong, but a hand is completed
・A strong hand seems likely to be completed with one more card
[Timing 2] When there is a possibility the opponent is bluffing
→If the opponent might be bluffing, calling is an effective means for restraint.
■Judgment Points
・You feel a slight sense of discomfort in the opponent’s behavior
[Timing 3] When you want your hand to be thought of as weak
→Even if your hand is strong, it is an effective means when you want to lead the opponent skillfully and drive up the bet.
■Judgment Points
・Your hand is strong, and the opponent’s hand also seems somewhat strong
・If you launch a challenge yourself, the opponent might run away
○ Two precautions when using a call
[Precaution 1] Overusing calls is NG
→Since calling is considered a passive means, if you overuse it, you will be turned into a “duck” (a target for exploitation) by strong players.
*Skilled players sometimes use this to their advantage to disguise their strength, but as a beginner, avoid overusing it!
[Precaution 2] Know the actions that constitute a call
→Depending on the casino, actions treated as a call may differ. Situations like “I wanted to raise, but it became a call” can occur, so be sure to check at each casino you visit!
We have learned that a call has different meanings depending on the scene it is used in.
If you can judge how to use it, it becomes a great weapon; if you use it incorrectly, it becomes a weakness that gives the opponent an opening.
Please try to discover your own way of using calls while performing actual poker!
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