Hero call

Basic Definition

A hero call is a call with a fairly weak hand, usually on the river, because you believe your opponent is bluffing. The hand can't beat any of their value bets. It can only win if they are bluffing.

Specific Situation

• The board runs out K842J. You hold 87 (third pair), and your opponent fires a big river bet after checking the turn. You think they are bluffing with a missed straight draw and call.


• A tight player bets three streets, but the line doesn't make sense for a strong hand. You call down with ace high.

Important Information

• A hero call needs a reason: the opponent's tendencies, a bet size that tells a story that doesn't add up, or blockers to their value hands.


• Pot odds set the bar. Against a pot-size bet you need to win at least 33% of the time to call profitably; against a half-pot bet, 25%. See the pot odds guide.


• Calling against players who rarely bluff is not a hero call. It's just losing chips. A successful hero call is memorable, but a failed one is far more common.

Examples of Term Usage

"He shoved the river, but the story didn't add up, so I made a hero call with second pair and won."