Poker term
Calling station
A passive player who calls far too often and rarely raises or folds. Never bluff a calling station; value-bet them relentlessly instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is a calling station in poker?
A player who calls bets with weak and marginal hands rather than folding or raising. They are passive, so they rarely put you to a hard decision — but they also refuse to go away.
How do you play against a calling station?
Stop bluffing and start value betting thinly. Bet hands you would normally check, bet bigger with strong hands, and accept that a semi-bluff has almost no fold equity against them.
Are calling stations profitable opponents?
Very — they are among the easiest players to beat, provided you resist the urge to bluff. Most of the money lost to a calling station comes from players who keep trying to make them fold.