A hero call is a call of a big bet, usually on the river, with a relatively weak hand because you believe your opponent is bluffing. It is called “heroic” because you are risking a lot with a hand that can only beat a bluff.
A hero call example
On a board of 9♥ 8♥ 3♣ K♠ 2♦, the flush and straight draws missed. Your opponent, who has been aggressive all night, shoves on the river. You call with pocket sixes, and they show a missed draw. That is a hero call.
When a hero call is smart
- The story your opponent is telling does not make sense with value hands.
- Many draws missed, so they have plenty of bluffs.
- Your opponent is aggressive and capable of bluffing.
- Your bluff catcher blocks their value hands.
- The pot odds are good: you only need to be right about one time in three against a pot-sized bet.
When it is just expensive
Most low-stakes players under-bluff on the river, especially with big bets. Hero calling these players is one of the most common ways to lose money. A memorable hero call can hide a long run of losing ones — tracking results in the free poker tracker keeps you honest.
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