What does Calling Station mean in poker?

In poker, a Calling Station is a player who calls too often and folds too rarely. The term usually refers to an opponent who does a lot of calling but applies very little pressure on their own.

How does it work?

This type of player often goes all the way to showdown even with a mediocre hand. They do not like folding, tend to suspect bluffs, and would rather “see it through” than make a tough laydown. Because of that, bluffs work worse against them, while straightforward value betting works better. If you have a strong hand, a Calling Station will often pay you off more than they should.

Where is it used?

You can run into this type of opponent in:

• cash games;

• tournaments;

• online poker;

• live poker.

Is it good or bad?

For the player using that style, it is usually a weak approach. Too many calls without a clear plan make the game expensive and easy to read. For opponents, though, this type is usually convenient: it becomes easier to build a direct strategy and bluff less.