Flat Call
A flat call is a call in a spot where a raise would also be reasonable.
The simple explanation
A flat call means just calling when you could have raised. For example, you have a good hand and call a bet instead of raising. It is also called smooth calling or flatting.
A closer look
Flat calls are used to disguise strong hands, to keep weaker hands in the pot, or to play a medium-strength hand cheaply. Sometimes they are also a way to avoid bloating the pot out of position. Calling can be a sound choice, but it gives up the chance to win the pot at once.
A practical example
Player A raises to 6 before the flop. Player B has a good hand but only calls instead of re-raising. That is a flat call.
Full explanation
A flat call is a call in a spot where a raise would also be reasonable.
A flat call is a call where raising would also be a reasonable option. The player puts in the amount to call and nothing more.
It is used with a good hand that is not strong enough to raise, or with a strong hand that the player wants to disguise.
A flat call is different from a cold call, which is a call of a bet and a raise. It is also different from an overcall, a call after another caller.
Flat calling keeps the pot small and lets you see the next card.
Alternative spelling: flat-call, flatcall
A flat call
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
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).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of clubs (Ac)KKing of hearts (Kh) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB QQueen of hearts (Qh)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of clubs (Ac)KKing of hearts (Kh) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB QQueen of hearts (Qh)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B has a strong hand, but only calls instead of re-raising. A call where a raise was possible is a flat call.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of clubs (Ac)KKing of hearts (Kh) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB QQueen of hearts (Qh)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.