Miscall
A miscall is when a player announces the value of his hand incorrectly. It can be a real mistake or an attempt to mislead.
The simple explanation
If you say 'I have a flush' but you do not, you have miscalled your hand.
A closer look
In most rooms, the cards speak: the hand is judged by the cards, not by what the player says. Intentional miscalls are frowned upon and can be penalized. Always show your cards at showdown and let the dealer read them. Do not rely on a verbal claim.
A practical example
A player says that he has a straight, but his cards show only a pair. The dealer reads the cards and awards the pot correctly.
Full explanation
A miscall is when a player announces the value of his hand incorrectly. It can be a real mistake or an attempt to mislead.
A miscall is a wrong announcement of a hand.
It can be an honest mistake or a trick.
The cards usually speak.
Intentional miscalls can be penalized.
Compare the hands at showdown
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
Betting has finished. A announces “two pair”, but A’s best five are A-A-A-7-7: a full house. B has A-A-Q-Q-7. At showdown the cards determine the winner, even when a player miscalls the hand.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- River · Pot: 12 chips
Betting has finished. A announces “two pair”, but A’s best five are A-A-A-7-7: a full house. B has A-A-Q-Q-7. At showdown the cards determine the winner, even when a player miscalls the hand.
Board: AAce of hearts (Ah)AAce of diamonds (Ad)77 of clubs (7c)77 of diamonds (7d)22 of spades (2s)
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of clubs (Ac)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB QQueen of clubs (Qc)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.