Poker Glossary
Poker glossary

Preflop Caller

A preflop caller, or PFC, is any player who calls a raise before the flop instead of raising or folding. It is the opposite of the preflop raiser.

The simple explanation

If one player raises and you call, you are the preflop caller. After the flop, the raiser is often the first to act or to bet, while the caller reacts.

A closer look

The preflop caller's range is capped: players with the best hands usually three-bet, so the caller has medium hands. The caller is also often out of position or in the blinds. This affects strategy after the flop. The caller can use check-raises and leads to take the initiative. Knowing who the caller is helps you to decide what boards favor whom.

A practical example

A player raises to 6, and you call with 9♥ 8♥. You are the preflop caller.

Full explanation

A preflop caller, or PFC, is any player who calls a raise before the flop instead of raising or folding. It is the opposite of the preflop raiser.

A preflop caller is a player who calls a raise before the flop.

He is the opposite of the preflop raiser.

His range is capped.

He often reacts after the flop.

Alternative spelling: Pre-flop Caller, Pre Flop Caller, PFC

The preflop caller

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

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).

  1. 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 Ace of hearts (Ah)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
    • Player B BB 9 of clubs (9c)8 of clubs (8c) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  2. Preflop · Pot: 8 chips

    Player A raises to 6.

    • Player A BTN / SB Ace of hearts (Ah)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB 9 of clubs (9c)8 of clubs (8c) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  3. Preflop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player B calls the raise. A player who calls a preflop raise is a preflop caller.

    • Player A BTN / SB Ace of hearts (Ah)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB 9 of clubs (9c)8 of clubs (8c) · Stack 194 · In this round 6

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.

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