Overcall

'Overcall' is a term used in poker to refer to a call made after a player has already bet and another player has called in the same round of betting.

What is an Overcall in Poker?

An 'Overcall' in poker refers to a call made after a player has already bet and another player has called in the same round of betting. This term is commonly used across various poker variants, including Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and Seven-Card Stud.

For example, if a player bets, another player calls, and then a third player also calls, the third player's call is referred to as an 'Overcall'. An Overcall can imply various different things. Firstly, it's common that players make an Overcall because they're getting good odds to continue. With at least two players already committing to that street of the pot, they're 'priced in' to call. Often, they will hold poor hands or draws that can improve on later streets, but the direct pot odds they're getting make a call worth it.

Another dynamic of an Overcall is when a player is slow playing a monster hand. For example, if they hold the nuts and have a bet and a call ahead of them, they might choose to disguise the strength of their hand and allow their opponents to put more money into the pot on latter streets - thinking they have the best hand. If the Overcaller puts in a raise, it signals strength and its less likely their opponents will continue in the hand.

Example of "Overcall"

For instance, a player might 'Overcall' if they have a decent hand, but not strong enough to raise. They want to see the next community card without having to invest a lot into the pot.

In another scenario, a player might 'Overcall' with a strong hand, hoping to disguise the strength of their hand and trap their opponents.

• "I decided to Overcall and see the next card, hoping to complete my draw."
• "He made an Overcall with a strong hand, trying to trap his opponents."
• "She made an Overcall with a decent hand, not wanting to commit too much to the pot."