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calling station
A calling station is an affectionate term for a player who seems incapable of folding and thus tends to call often. More so they call too often and chase less than favourable odds.
Strategy
Disadvantage
As such a player rarely folds, bluffs and protection bets accomplish little more than pad the pot. This is a definite problem when going up against calling stations with mediocre holdings.
In such a situation, faced with a medium hand and a calling station opponent, it makes sense to only place minimal, or no, bets at all. If the player is quite timid then checking to showdown is a reasonable option. Should the player be a bit loose or aggressive, then a small defensive bet is in order.
Margaret has hit a set on the flop. There are however two spades showing and her opponent Caleb is a prototypical calling station. Normally she would make a half pot protection bet, but choose for a minimal 2bb instead. Caleb of course calls. The turn is harmless so again she places a 2bb bet and Caleb calls. The river turns another spade. She has no idea if he made the flush, but rather than allow him to be courageous and make a bluff she posts a 3bb protection bet.
Advantage
Not folding is of course a curse to these players when their opponent makes a strong hand. Normally with a strong hand a player may wish to make small value bets to draw more money out of their opponent. If that opponent however is a calling station the size of the bet can be increased without fear that they will fold their hands.
This makes it rather easy to get money from these players. One need be attentive however to the possible draws that player might have. The moment a draw would give the calling station a stronger hand one must, as stated above, tread a bit more carefully.
Jose makes a straight in the fifth street of 7-card stud. Nola has two overcards and Jose suspects she has a pair, possibly two pair. Against a stronger player Jose might chose to weak bet as to not scare them away. Against the calling station Nola however he puts a half pot bet knowing she will call. One more card and Nola shows a pair. Jose is happy and makes a pot size bet. While on occasion Nola might get the full house on the final street it is unlikely and Jose knows that long term it will pay off to take that chance. He bets pot again and Nola calls. Jose shows his straight and Nola mucks her hand.
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