Calling Station
A player who calls too frequently and rarely raises or folds. Considered a weak playing style because it's purely passive.
iGaming Journalist & Crypto Casino Analyst
What Is Calling Station?
Calling stations tend to overvalue mediocre hands and are reluctant to fold once invested in a pot, making them predictable but sometimes frustrating opponents. Against a calling station, bluffing is generally ineffective since they call too often, but betting for thin value becomes highly profitable because they will pay off with weaker holdings. Identifying calling stations quickly through their VPIP and low aggression factor allows opponents to adjust their strategy for maximum profit.
Examples
A calling station calls three streets of betting with a weak pair, hoping to catch a bluff.
Against a known calling station, a player value bets thinly since folds are rare.
Strategy Tips
Avoid bluffing against calling stations, since they call far more often than they should and bluffs rarely succeed. Value bet more thinly and for larger sizes against calling stations, since they'll pay off with a wide range of hands. Be patient and let calling stations make the mistakes -- don't try to force them off hands with aggression. Use HUD stats like a high VPIP and low aggression factor to quickly identify calling stations at the table.