In poker, a payoff happens when a player calls a bet—usually on the river—knowing they’re probably beat, but hoping to catch a bluff or confirm their read. It’s not always the best call strategically, but players do it out of curiosity, suspicion, or because the hand is too strong to fold.
Sometimes, a payoff can be justified if the pot odds are right or if your opponent bluffs often enough. Other times, it’s a costly mistake, especially if you’re calling big bets with marginal hands just to “see it.”
“Paying someone off” is also used casually to describe making a call that completes their value bet—even if it’s the correct play.
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