In Governor of Poker 3 (GoP3), the term "COLD CALL" refers to the action of calling a bet and a subsequent raise during a single betting round. This means that when it is your turn to act, you are faced with multiple bets that you need to match to stay in the hand. Cold calling is distinct from simply calling a single bet because it involves responding to a more aggressive betting environment.
When to COLD CALL
Facing a Bet and a Raise:
A cold call occurs when you are faced with at least one bet and one raise before your turn to act.
Example: Player A bets 50 chips, Player B raises to 150 chips, and it is now your turn to act. If you choose to call, you are cold calling the 150 chips.
Strategic Considerations for COLD CALLING
Hand Strength:
Cold calling typically requires a strong hand, as you are committing chips in response to increased aggression from other players. Hands like high pocket pairs, strong suited connectors, or premium hands are often suitable for cold calling.
Position:
Your position at the table is crucial when deciding to cold call. Being in a later position allows you to see how other players react to the bet and raise, giving you more information to make an informed decision.
Pot Odds and Implied Odds:
Evaluate the pot odds (the ratio of the current size of the pot to the cost of your call) and implied odds (potential future winnings based on your call) to determine if cold calling is a profitable decision.
Opponent Tendencies:
Consider the playing styles and tendencies of the opponents involved in the betting and raising. If they are known to be aggressive or bluff frequently, cold calling might be advantageous with a broader range of hands.
Example Scenarios Involving a COLD CALL
Pre-Flop Cold Call:
Blinds: Small blind is 10 chips, big blind is 20 chips.
Action: Player A bets 60 chips, Player B raises to 180 chips.
Your Hand: Ace of hearts and King of diamonds.
Your Move: You cold call the 180 chips, deciding your hand is strong enough to see the flop.
Post-Flop Cold Call:
Flop: 9 of clubs, 10 of hearts, King of spades.
Your Hand: Queen of hearts and Jack of hearts (open-ended straight draw).
Action: Player A bets 100 chips, Player B raises to 300 chips.
Your Move: You cold call the 300 chips, hoping to complete your straight on the turn or river.
Turn Cold Call:
Turn: 7 of diamonds.
Your Hand: Pair of Kings with an Ace kicker.
Action: Player A bets 200 chips, Player B raises to 600 chips.
Your Move: You cold call the 600 chips, believing your top pair and strong kicker still have potential to win the hand.
Benefits and Risks of COLD CALLING
Benefits:
Strong Hand Representation: Cold calling can signal to your opponents that you have a strong hand, potentially deterring further aggression.
Pot Building: If you have a strong hand or a strong drawing hand, cold calling can build the pot, leading to larger potential winnings.
Positional Advantage: Cold calling from a later position allows you to see how the action unfolds, giving you more information for your decision-making.
Risks:
Chip Commitment: Cold calling often commits a significant number of chips to the pot, which can be risky if your hand does not improve.
Aggressiveness from Opponents: If opponents continue to raise aggressively, you may be forced to commit even more chips or face difficult decisions about folding.
Potential for Overcommitting: Frequent cold calling without strong hands can lead to overcommitting to pots and depleting your chip stack.
Summary
In Governor of Poker 3, cold calling is the action of calling a bet and a subsequent raise in a single betting round. This play requires careful consideration of hand strength, position, pot odds, and opponent tendencies. While cold calling can build the pot and signal strength, it also comes with risks, such as chip commitment and potential aggressiveness from opponents. Understanding when and how to cold call effectively can enhance your poker strategy and improve your chances of winning.