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The Value Of A Call In No-Limit Hold'em
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Author: Marc Weinberg
If you're ever referred to as a calling station by other poker players you have officially been insulted, and in the worst possible way. Simply calling all the time, rather than folding (when you're weak) and raising aggressively (when you're strong) is a sure way to lose your entire bankroll. But, when you play no-limit hold'em at the highest level, calling does have a lot of value in the right context.
Most poker textbooks advocate calling infrequently, and this is good advice in small cash games, or against inexperienced opponents. But in no-limit games, particularly no-limit tournament poker, there is wisdom in a call. If you have a strong hand, but not a premium hand pre-flop it is often best to limp in. I'm thinking of no-man's land hands like JJ, TT, or even AQ. If someone has raised before you enter the pot you have a tough decision to make. If you re-raise and threaten him it is very easy for that player to move all-in. Now where do you stand? At best you're in a race against a hand like AK, at worst you're dominated by a higher pair.
The issue in tournaments is that you want to avoid 50/50 races for your tournament life. Even if you hold a slight edge you're better off waiting for a flop, and then outplaying your opponent. If he holds AK and you call with TT and the flop then comes 4 8 9 you are now in a great position. If he bets and you now raise he must lay down his hand.
The problem for you pre-flop is that unless you're facing a very weak player willing to push out of position with a small pair your own holding is just not strong enough to commit all your chips to the pot.
Inexperienced no-limit tournament players are more than happy to push all-in pre-flop, but the best players try to avoid this situation whenever possible. It just isn't worth it. And in these situations limping in can be a big ally.
Calling regularly is a sign of weakness at low and medium stakes poker games. However, it is a vital weapon when you step up and face the best in the world. Not only does it vary your game, but it can allow you to be more creative and aggressive later on in the same hand, where those types of moves have a far higher reward/risk ratio than is the case pre-flop, where so much information must remain unknown...
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