A miscall is an incorrect verbal call declaration during live play.
Explanation. A miscall in poker is when a player verbally declares an incorrect hand value at showdown, either by misreading their cards or misstating the strength (e.g. calling “straight” when they only have two pair). This mistake can be honest—or intentional—but it misrepresents the actual hand.
When a miscall occurs, the underlying cards still determine the outcome: “cards speak for themselves.” Even if a player says they have a lower-ranking hand, the dealer awards the pot based on the actual best hand shown, as long as the cards are tabled face-up.
If a miscall is followed by the player mucking their cards, the hand is dead and cannot be retrieved—losing any chance at the pot—even if it was actually the winning hand. Intentional miscalling is considered unethical and may result in warnings, penalties, or disqualification in many formal game settings.