Hero call
Calling a big bet with a weak hand — a bluff-catcher — because you believe the opponent is bluffing. The opposite, folding a very strong hand because you believe the opponent has the nuts, is a 'hero fold'.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hero call in poker?
Calling a big bet — usually a river bet or shove — with a weak hand, on the read that the opponent is bluffing. It only ever beats air.
When is a hero call justified?
When the opponent's line does not fit a value hand: a bet size that is too large for the board, a story that contradicts an earlier street, or a known tendency to over-bluff. A read on the player plus a read on the range — not a feeling.
Why is the name a warning?
Because the memorable successes hide the cost of the failures. Hero calling is one of the easiest ways for a solid player to leak money, since it feels brilliant when right and merely unlucky when wrong.