How to Play Against Calling Stations

08-02-2026 05:12 AM

Well everyone loves having a calling station at their table but many people don't know how to play against calling stations properly. In fact some players even get frustrated by calling stations to the point of going on tilt. If you struggle playing against players that call all the time then hopefully this article will be able to help you improve your win rate against calling stations.

Firstly it's important to note that calling stations are going to be among the most profitable players to play against. They usually have stats with low PFR percentages and a high VPIP. This is not always the case as some players are just post flop calling stations but for the most part calling stations will have a large VPIP and a small PFR.

The key to playing against players who call constantly is value betting. Learning when to value bet against these players is crucial and if you can master the art then playing calling stations becomes seriously profitable. Like anything in poker value betting is situational and it's impossible to just sit here and tell you when to value bet and when not to value bet. However, we can reveal the key concepts of value betting vs calling stations so you can apply them when you think it's correct to.

When you flop a hand that you want to be for value vs a calling station bet close to the full size of the pot. Calling stations are going to call regardless of if you bet 2/3rds of the pot or the full pot. This will allow you to gain extra value on all three streets.

You can even over bet the pot at any stage to gain even more value. Overbetting the pot is best saved for the absolute fishiest calling stations. Another important concept connected to value betting is getting three streets of value. Don't be afraid to bet scare cards vs calling stations. Most of the time they will be clinging on to middle pair type hands and will still call you down regardless of whether the flush or straight just came in.
Aside from value betting it is important not to bluff calling stations. Once you have noted a player as a calling station you have no reason to bluff them. You know they are calling way to often so the success rate of your continuation bets and check raises will diminish substantially. Just wait till you actually have a hand and value bet them to death!

You should be extremely happy to see any calling stations at your table. Do not allow yourself to get frustrated with them and make every effort you can to get into as many pots as possible against them. Value bet them to death.

**dadsrus** · 08-02-2026 08:35 AM

good info for my homrgames i got 2 guys that this will help me out agaisnt cheers good read for sure

**SnappySam** · 08-02-2026 11:12 AM

I was up against a calling station the other day playing a Stud Tourney. I bet my Aces, continued betting, made two pair, he hits a random straight on Seventh, which he sure didn't start out with the intention of getting. Still, that's poker - what can you do?

**sickfk1** · 08-02-2026 05:54 PM

i liked the read to. been a long time sence i have run into a call station and when i did i always overbet for best results i cant say i always won but was round 70/30 good thing tho or i wood have shot my screen long ago. and sam im not goin to pull ur leg to hard so i think you should keep playin like you do if they keep getin the better of you then chang up ur betin patern maybe even overbet to force them out and or hope they dont hit