The action of matching a previous bet made by an opponent. When a player decides to call, they contribute the same amount of chips to the pot as the previous bet, effectively staying in the hand and continuing to compete for the pot.
It's a term used in poker to describe a particularly bold or courageous call made by a player, typically with a hand that might not be considered strong. Hero-calls often occur when a player believes that their opponent is bluffing or has a weaker hand, and they make the call based on their instincts, reading of the opponent, or a strong sense of the game. Hero-calls are considered high-risk, high-reward decisions, as they can lead to winning a substantial pot but can also result in a significant loss if the call is incorrect.
A hero-call is often associated with a player making a call against the odds, showing great confidence in their read of the situation and a willingness to make a bold move.