Payoff

'Payoff' in poker refers to the act of calling a bet, usually on the final round of betting, with a hand that is not expected to be the best.

What is Payoff in Poker?

In poker, 'Payoff' refers to the act of calling a bet, usually on the final round of betting, with a hand that is not expected to be the best. This is typically done in situations where the pot odds justify making the call, even if the player believes they are likely to lose.

Understanding Payoff

A payoff is often seen as a calculated risk. The player understands that they are likely behind, but the potential return from the size of the pot makes the call worthwhile. It's a common scenario in poker, particularly in no-limit games where the betting can become large relative to the size of the pot.

When to Payoff in Poker

Deciding when to make a payoff call depends on the specific situation in the game. Factors like the size of the pot, the size of the bet, the player's read on their opponent, and the player's own hand strength all play a role in this decision.

Example of "Payoff"

For instance, in a Texas Hold'em game, if a player has a medium-strength hand and their opponent makes a large bet on the river, the player might decide to make a payoff call, believing that they have a chance of winning based on the size of the pot and the potential strength of their opponent's hand.

• "He decided to make a payoff call with his pair of tens, hoping his opponent was bluffing."
• "Despite having only a medium-strength hand, she made the payoff call because the pot odds were in her favor."
• "Knowing that his opponent often bluffed on the river, he decided to make a payoff call with his pair of jacks."

Payoff in Poker FAQs