Poker is a game of strategy, and one of the most common opponents you’ll face at the table is the “calling station.” These players are known for their tendency to call, call, and call some more. They don’t have a very aggressive strategy and are often referred to as “sticky” because they like to see a lot of flops and play a lot of hands.
So, how do you adjust your game to beat them? Let’s take a look at some key adjustments you should make when facing calling stations.
1. Decrease Your C-Bet Frequency
Calling stations are notorious for calling nearly every bet, making it less effective to continuation bet (c-bet) as frequently as you might against other opponents. However, you can still c-bet thinner for value.
This means you should be going for value with hands that might not be as strong against other players. For example, small pairs and good ace-highs can be bet for value since calling stations often call with worse hands.
2. Widen Your 3-Bet Ranges
Against calling stations, you should consider widening your 3-bet ranges. This doesn’t mean 3-betting them too lightly, as they rarely fold. Instead, focus on widening your value-heavy ranges.
For instance, you wouldn’t usually 3-bet a hand like pocket 8s for value against an early position opener. But if you’re up against a calling station, be more willing to 3-bet hands like these. If they’re opening with a wide range and unlikely to fold to a 3-bet, you can get value from their weaker holdings like Q-10o calling your pocket 8s pre-flop.
3. 3-Bet with a Polarized Range
You can also 3-bet a calling station with a polarized range, which includes both value hands and bluff hands. However, you will then have to decrease your c-bet frequency if you miss the flop. If you connect with the flop (for example, if you hit top or middle pair), you can continue betting for thin value. Just be careful bluffing postflop against calling stations because they don’t like to fold!
4. Adjust Your Bet-Sizing Strategy
When playing against calling stations, your bet-sizing strategy should also change. When bluffing, consider sizing up your flop c-bet to gain extra fold equity. Larger bets make it harder for even the stickiest players to call.
Yes, they don’t like to fold, but by betting bigger, you may get them to fold some small pairs and ace highs, so sizing bigger will force them out of more pots. If they call the flop and turn, be careful with bluffing the river, as this often indicates they have a hand they are not willing to let go of.
Playing against calling stations can be challenging, but with the right adjustments, you can turn their sticky tendencies to your advantage and come out on top. Remember, poker is a game of adaptability and strategy, and understanding how to play against different types of opponents is key to becoming a successful player.
Happy playing!
