Villain
Poker slang for your opponent in a hand analysis or discussion.
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What Is Villain?
The term is commonly used alongside 'hero' (the player whose perspective is being discussed) when breaking down a hand history, whether in a forum post, coaching session, or casual conversation. It's a neutral, shorthand label rather than a literal judgment of the opponent's character.
Examples
'Hero raises from the button, Villain calls from the big blind' in a hand history writeup.
A player asking a coach, 'What range would Villain have here after a check-raise?'
Strategy Tips
When analyzing hands, define Villain's range as precisely as possible at each decision point rather than treating them as a single hand or an overly generic range. Use available reads and stats on Villain, such as VPIP, PFR, and 3-bet percentage, to narrow their range realistically instead of relying on assumptions. Update Villain's range dynamically as the hand progresses -- their preflop range should narrow further based on flop, turn, and river actions. Studying hand histories from Villain's perspective as well as Hero's can deepen your understanding of the overall dynamics at play.