Tip #17 - Don't bluff calling stations

A calling station is a player who calls too often and rarely folds once they've put money in the pot. While these players are typically very profitable to play against, many players make the mistake of trying to bluff them. This is a fundamental error in poker strategy - you can't bluff someone who won't fold.

Here's why bluffing calling stations is a bad idea:

• They will call you down with any pair, no matter how weak
• They don't think about what hands you might have
• They don't recognize betting patterns that suggest strength
• They often call simply because they "want to see it"
• They don't like to fold because they "might be good"

Instead of bluffing calling stations, you should:

• Value bet them relentlessly when you have strong hands
• Size your value bets larger than normal
• Avoid fancy plays or tricky moves
• Play a straightforward, value-oriented strategy
• Save your bluffs for opponents who can fold

The key to beating calling stations is patience. Wait for strong hands and then extract maximum value. Common mistakes when playing against calling stations include:

• Trying to "teach them a lesson" with bluffs
• Getting frustrated and playing hands you shouldn't
• Making small value bets when they'll call any size
• Trying to protect your hand against draws

Remember that in poker, you make money from your opponents' mistakes. Calling stations make the mistake of calling too much, so the way to profit from them is to bet when you have the goods. Don't compound their mistake by making the mistake of bluffing them. As Mike Caro famously said, "You can't bluff a calling station."