Call
Call is when a player matches the current highest bet or raise in a poker hand. It’s like saying, “I see your bet and I’m in.” For instance, if someone bets $10, and you want to stay in the hand, you “call” by putting in $10 as well. It’s the poker version of keeping up with the Joneses.
The origin of Call in Poker
The term “call” dates back to the early days of poker in the 19th century. It was derived from the idea of “calling” someone out, as in matching their bet to see who has the better hand. Back in the Wild West days, players would literally call out their intention to match a bet, hence the term stuck.
Examples of use:
“I decided to call his bet even though I wasn’t sure about my hand.”
- Person A: “He bet $50. What are you gonna do?”
- Person B: “I’ll call. Let’s see what he’s got.”
You can use it in real life too…
- “I didn’t know what to do, so I decided to call and see what happens.”
- “At the auction, I had to call the bid to stay in the game.”
- “Sometimes in arguments, you just need to call their bluff.”
When playing, be aware:
Do:
When you have a strong hand or a drawing hand with good potential, calling can be a smart move. It allows you to stay in the game without overcommitting your chips. For example, if you have a flush draw, calling can be a strategic way to see the next card without raising the stakes.
Don’t:
Avoid calling just because you’re curious. This habit, known as “calling station” behavior, can drain your chips quickly. If you’re unsure about your hand and the bet is high, it might be smarter to fold and save your chips for a better opportunity.
Call means the same in other sports?
In sports like baseball and football, “call” generally refers to a decision made by an umpire or referee. For example, an umpire calls a strike or a referee calls a foul. The meaning is different from poker, where it’s more about matching a bet.
In basketball, however, the term “call” is used similarly to poker when discussing a coach’s decision to call a play or a timeout. Here, it implies making a strategic decision, somewhat akin to deciding whether to call a bet in poker.
Trivia
Did you know that the term “call” in poker was first recorded in the United States around the 1850s? It has since become a fundamental part of poker terminology, globally recognized and used in virtually every poker game, from casual home games to high-stakes tournaments in Las Vegas.
