In poker, "Cold Call" refers to a situation when a player calls a raise after there has already been a bet and one or more raises. A player cold calls when they neither originally bet nor raised the bet.

Grasping Cold Call in Poker

In poker, a Cold Call is when a player calls a raise without having already put any money in the pot in the form of a bet or a raise. The term is prevalent in all poker variants, including Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and others, and it applies to both cash games and tournaments.

A cold call usually indicates a player has a decent hand, not strong enough to raise but too good to fold. It's a move that requires a solid understanding of poker strategy and knowledge of opponents' tendencies.

Examples of Cold Call in Poker

Here are some scenarios to illustrate the concept of Cold Call in poker:
In a Texas Hold'em game, the player under the gun raises, and the next player re-raises. The action comes to you, and you decide to call the re-raise, thus making a cold call.

In an Omaha tournament, one player makes a bet, another player raises, and you decide to call the raised amount, which is a cold call.

• "He decided to cold call the big raise with his pocket Jacks."
• "Despite the hefty raise, she made a cold call, hoping to hit a flush on the flop."
• "The action was intense, with a bet, a raise, and then a cold call."

Poker Cold Call FAQs

What does a cold call represent?

A cold call usually indicates that a player has a decent hand, not strong enough to raise but too good to fold.

How should I respond to a cold call?

Your response to a cold call should depend on your understanding of the cold caller's tendencies, your position, and the strength of your hand.

Is it always a good idea to cold call when I have a decent hand?

Not necessarily. While cold calling with a decent hand can be a good strategy sometimes, it's also important to consider the betting action, your position, and the tendencies of the other players.

Can I bluff with a cold call?

Bluffing with a cold call can be risky, as it typically indicates a player has a decent hand. However, in certain situations and against certain players, it might be a viable strategy.

How does a cold call differ from a standard call?

A standard call is when a player calls a bet. A cold call, on the other hand, is when a player calls a raise without having already put any money in the pot in the form of a bet or a raise.