Your a Damn Calling Station!

A 'calling station' in poker is a relatively low skilled player who only ever seems to call bets, with little regard to the strength of hand. These players seldom raise and seem content with just calling bets made. This is seen upon as a losing proposition, not only because you are reducing your chance of winning the pot, but also because it is easy to extract money from you.

Of course, a calling station will occasionally win the odd hand, given the nature of the game that encompasses an element of luck. In Texas Holdem, for instance, luck plays a big part. The part that a player can control is what hands he plays - the rest is in the lap of the gods. The problem with calling too much is that each time you do it, it costs money so chasing cards that you're not odds on to hit, doesn't make financial sense.

These players like to hit cards and out-draw their opponents. In most games, raising is considered a much stronger play. Another reason that raising is also seen as a stronger play is that you have more chance of winning. Your opponents could all fold and you would win the pot or you could hit one of your cards to make a winning hand. You will also get information through raising that could be useful - for instance, where you are in the hand.

A Calling Station - How to play against one

Playing against a calling station is easy but you have to remember that they are labeled a 'calling station' for a reason - they call too many bets and chase cards. You therefore want to extract as much money as possible, accepting that sometimes they will get there. You should tighten up your starting hand requirements. You don't necessarily need to be playing premium hands, but good solid hands. When you hit on the flop, you'll have to experiment and see what your opponents are happy to chase. Additionally, you might want to be raising initially a little more than usual. Bluffing against this type of player also becomes a little more tricky as they are more prone to calling if they have any piece of the board. Remember that it won't be obvious what they have a hand as they won't be raising. .

These players are like low limit players - they lack the skills, and you should have a strategy to match. Expect them to call bets, and bet accordingly. Another benefit in playing against a low skilled player - he won't recognize that you have folded 20 hands (.i.e. your waiting for good hands). When you suddenly come out and play, a good play would recognize that you have something worthy. A donk won't - he'll just cary on as usual.