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Poker has a language
somewhat to itself. Here is a glossary to familiarize
yourself with poker terminology. Many of the words in
this glossary are linked to one another. If you click
a link within a definition, click your browser's "back"
button to return to the definition you just left. |
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A
Aces
Full
A full house with three aces and any pair.
Ace-High
A five card hand that contains one Ace, with no straight
or flush or a hand with no pair in it.
Aces
Up
A hand that contains two pairs, one of which is Aces.
Action
Checking/Betting/Raising. A game in which players are
playing a lot of pots is considered an "action"
game.
Active Player
Any player who is still in the hand.
Add-on
A purchase of more chips (optional) at the end of the
re-buy period in a tournament.
All-In
When a player bets all his/her chips.: In online poker,
you may be deemed "All-in" when you are disconnected
(even if you have chips remaining).
American
Airlines
Two Aces.
Ante
Money placed in the pot before the hand is begun. |
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B
Bad
Beat
When a hand is beaten by a lucky draw.
Belly
Buster
A draw and/or catch to an Inside Straight.
Bet
To place chips into the pot.
Bet
the Pot
When a player bets the amount of the pot.
Bicycle
A straight that is A-2-3-4-5.
Big
Blind
A designated amount that is placed by the player sitting
in the second position, clockwise from the dealer, before
any cards are dealt. (Players joining a game in progress
must post a Big Blind, but may do so from any position.)
Big Slick
A hand that contains an A-K.
Blind
The bet(s) that must be made by the two players sitting
directly to the dealer's left which will start the action
on the first round of betting. The blinds are posted before
any cards are dealt. (A "Blind" bet is one that
is made in the dark without looking at your cards.)
Blind Raise
When a player raises without looking at his hand.
Bluff
To make other players believe that one has a better hand
than he/she might otherwise have by betting or raising
when they do not have the best hand.
Boardcards
The cards that are dealt face-up in a poker game for all
players to see. In flop games, five cards are dealt face-up
in the center of the table. In Seven Card Stud, four cards
are dealt face-up in front of each player.
Bottom
Pair
When a player uses the lowest card on the flop to make
a pair with one of his own cards.
Broadway
An Ace high straight (A-K-Q-J-10).
Bring-In
The forced bet made on the first round of betting by the
player who is dealt the lowest card showing in Seven Card
Stud and Stud 8 or Better. In Razz (Lowball) it is the
highest card showing
Bring
It In
To start the betting on the first round.
Broomcorn's Uncle
A player who antes himself broke.
Bullets
A pair of Aces.
Bump
To raise.
Button
Also known as the dealer button, it is a small round disk
that is moved from player to player in a clockwise direction
following each hand, to theoretically indicate the dealer
of each hand.
Buy-In
The minimum amount of money required by a player to sit
down in a particular poker game. |
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C
Call
When a player chooses to match the previous bet.
Call Cold
To call both a bet and raise(s).
Cap
To take the last of the maximum amount of raises allowed
per round of betting.
Cardroom
The room or space in a casino where poker is played.
Case Chips
A player's last chips.
Cash
Out
To leave a game and convert your chips to cash.
Check
When it's a player's turn to act and there has been no
action in front of them and he opts not to bet, he "checks."
Check-Raise
When a player first checks and then raises in a betting
round.
Chop
To return the blinds to the players who posted them and
move on to the next hand if no other players call. It
also means to "split the pot".
Collusion
When two or more players conspire to cheat in a poker
game.
Community Cards
Cards that are face-up and used by all players.
Cowboys
Two Kings. |
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D
Dead
Man's Hand
Two pair - Aces and Eights (Wild Bill Hickock was shot
in the back while playing this hand).
Door
Card
This is the first exposed card, or "up" card,
in a player's hand in Stud games.
Down
Card
Hole cards. Cards that are dealt face down.
Doyle
Brunson
It's a Holdem hand consisting of a 10-2 (Brunson won the
world championship two years in a row on the final hand
with these cards).
Draw
Lowball
Form of poker where each player is dealt five cards with
the option of discarding one or more and replacing them
with new ones and the low hand wins.
Draw
Poker
Form of poker where each player is dealt five cards down
with the option of discarding one or more and replacing
them with new ones to attempt to make a better hand.
Drop
Fold.
Ducks
A pair of Twos.
Deuces
A pair of Twos. |
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E
Early
Position
Position on a round of betting where the player must act
before most of the other players at the table. (It's considered
the two positions located to the left of the Blinds.) |
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F
Fifth
Street
Also known as the "river" card. In flop games,
this represents the fifth community card on the table
and the final round of betting. In Stud games, this is
the fifth card dealt to each player and represents the
third round of betting.
Five-card
Draw
A poker game in which the player is dealt five cards down.
They have one draw to replace them and the best high hand
wins the pot.
Five-card
Stud
A poker game in which each player is dealt five cards,
one down and four up, with betting after 2, 3, 4, &
5 cards.
Flat Call
Calling a bet without raising.
Flop
In Hold'em and Omaha, the first three community cards
that are dealt face-up in the center of the table all
at one time. The "flop" also indicates the second
round of betting.
Flop
Games
Poker games (Hold 'em and Omaha) that are played using
community cards that are dealt face up in the center of
the table.
Floorman
An employee of the cardroom who makes rulings and decisions.
Flush
Any five cards of the same suit.
Flush
Draw
When a player has four cards in his hand of the same suit
and is hoping to draw a fifth to make a flush.
Fold
To throw your hand away when it's your turn to act.
Forced Bet
A required bet that starts the action on the first round
of a poker hand.
Four of
a Kind
Four cards of the same number or face value ("quads").
Fourth Street
In flop games, it is the fourth community card dealt (also
known as "the turn") and represents the third
round of betting. In Stud games, it is the fourth card
dealt to each player and represents the second round of
betting.
Full House
Any three cards of the same number or face value, plus
any other two cards of the same number or face value. |
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G
Gut Shot
To draw to and/or hit an inside straight. |
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H
Hand
A player's best five cards.
High-Low
Split pot games.
Hold
'em
Also known as Texas Hold 'em, where the players get two
down cards and five community cards. See our complete
Hold 'em rules in our Game Rules section.
Hole
Cards
These are the Down Cards in front of the players.
House
The casino or cardroom that is hosting the poker game. |
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I
Inside
Straight
Four cards which require another between the top and the
bottom card to complete a straight.\ Players who catch
this card make an Inside Straight. |
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J
Jackpot
Poker
A form of poker in which the cardroom or casino offers
a jackpot to a player who has lost with a really big hand
(usually Aces full or better).
Jacks-or-
Better
A form of poker in which a player needs to have at least
a pair of jacks to open the betting. |
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K
Kansas
City Lowball
Form of lowball poker in which the worst poker hand (2,
3, 4, 5, 7 of different suits) is the best hand. It's
also known as Deuce to Seven.
Keep Them Honest
To call at the end of a hand to prevent someone from bluffing.
Key Card
A card that gives you a big draw or makes your hand.
Key Hand
In a session or tournament, the one hand that ends up
being a turning point for the player, either for better
or worse.
Kicker
The highest unpaired side card in a players' hand.
Kick It
Raise.
Kill Pot
A method to stimulate action. It is a forced bet by someone
who has just won a pot(s).
Knock
Check.
Kojak
A hand that contains a K-J. |
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L
Ladies
Two Queens.
Late Position
Position on a round of betting where the player must act
after most of the other players have acted (usually considered
to be the two positions next to the button).
Lay Down Your Hand
When a player folds.
Lead
The first player to bet into a pot.
Limit
Poker
A game that has fixed minimum and maximum betting intervals
along with a prescribed number of raises.
Limper
The first player who calls a bet.
Limp
In
To enter the pot by calling rather than raising. (The
usual concept of "Limp In" is when the first
person to speak just calls the Big Blind.)
Live
Blind
An instance where the player puts in a dark bet and is
allowed to raise, even if no other player raises. It's
also known as an "option".
Live
Card(s)
In Stud Games, cards that have not yet been seen and are
presumed to still be in play.
Live Hand
A hand that could still win the pot.
Live
One
A not so knowledgeable player who plays a lot of hands.
Look
When a player calls the final bet before the showdown.
Loose
Is a player who plays a lot hands.
Lowball
Is a form of draw poker in which the lowest hand wins
the pot. |
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M
Main
Pot
The center pot. Any other bets are placed in a side pot(s)
and are contested among the remaining players. This occurs
when a player(s) goes all-in.
Make
To make the deck is to shuffle the deck.
Maniac
A very aggressive player who plays a lot of hands.
Middle Pair
In flop games, when a player makes a pair with one of
his/her down cards and the middle card on the flop.
Middle Position
Somewhere between the early and late positions on a round
of betting (the fifth, sixth and seventh seats to the
left of the button).
Muck
To discard or throw away your hand. It's also a pile of
cards that are no longer in play.
Minimum
Buy-In
The least amount you can start a game with.
Monster
A very big hand. In a tournament, a player who begins
to accumulate chips after having a small stack is considered
to be a monster. |
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N
No
Limit
A game where players can bet as much as they like (as
long as they have it in front of them) on any round of
betting.
Nuts
The best possible hand at any point of the game. A hand
that cannot be beat. |
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O
Odds
The probability of making a hand vs. the probability of
not making a hand.
Offsuit
Cards of a different suit.
Omaha
A game in which each player is dealt four down cards with
five community cards. To make your hand, you must play
two cards from your hand and three from the board.
Open
To make the first bet.
Open-ended
Straight
Four consecutive cards whereby one additional (consecutive)
card is needed at either end to make a straight.
Open Card
A card that is dealt face-up.
Open
Pair
A pair that has been dealt face-up.
Option
An option is a Live Blind made in the dark before the
cards are dealt. If no one raises, the "option"
player may raise the pot.
Out
Button
A disc placed in front of a player who wishes to sit out
a hand(s) but remain in the game. |
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P
Paints
Face or picture cards (Jack, Queen and King).
Pair
Two cards of the same face or number value.
Pass
To fold.
Pay Off
To call on the final round of betting when you may or
may not think you have the best hand.
Picture
Cards
Face cards (Jack, Queen and King).
Play
Back
To raise or re-raise another player's bet.
Playing
the Board
In flop games when your best five card hand is all five
of the community cards.
Pocket
The down cards or hole cards.
Pocket
Rockets
A pair of Aces in the pocket or hole.
Position
Where a player is seated in relation to the dealer, therefore
establishing that player's place in the betting order.
Post
When you post a bet, you place your chips in the pot.
(You must post the Blinds.)
Pot
The money or chips in the center of a table that players
try to win.
Pot Limit
This is a game where the maximum bet can equal the pot.
Prop
A person hired by the cardroom to work as a shill.
Push
When the dealer pushes the chips to the winning player
at the end of a hand. It's also when dealers rotate to
other tables.
Put Down
To fold a hand. |
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Q
Quads
Four of a kind.
Qualifier
In High-Low games, it is a requirement the Low hand must
meet to win the pot. |
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R
Rack
A tray that holds 100 poker chips in five stacks of twenty
chips each.
Rail
The rim of a poker table or a barrier outside a poker
area.
Railbird
Someone who hangs around a poker room who watches the
games and/or is looking to get into action.
Raise
To increase the previous bet.
Rake
Chips taken from the pot by the cardroom for compensation
for hosting the game.
Rank
The value of each card and hand.
Rap
When a player knocks on the table indicating that he/she
has checked.
Razz
Seven Card Stud where the lowest five cards win the pot.
Re-buy
The amount of money a player pays to add a fixed number
of chips to his/her stack in a tournament.
Re-raise
To raise a raise.
Ring
Game
A "live" game that is not a tournament.
River
This is the last card given in all games. In Hold'em and
Omaha, it is also known as 5th street. In Stud games,
it is also known as 7th street.
Round
of Betting
This is when players have the opportunity to bet, check
or raise. Each round of betting ends when the last bet
or raise has been called.
Rounders
Guys who hustle for a living. This is also the name of
a popular poker movie starring Matt Damon and Ed Norton.
Royal Flush
This is an Ace high straight (A-K-Q-J-10) of the same
suit. It is the best possible hand in poker. |
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S
Satellite
It is a mini-tournament to gain an entry into a larger
tournament.
Scoop
To win the entire pot.
Seating
List
A waiting list. A player would put his or her name on
this list if there were no seats at the table at which
they wish to play.
Second
Pair
In flop games, when you pair the second highest card on
the board.
See
To call.
Seven-card Stud
A well-known poker game in which players get three down
cards and four up cards. You play the best five of those
seven cards. Click here for information on Seven-card
Stud.
Seventh Street
This is the final round of betting in Seven Card Stud
and Stud 8 or Better.
Shills
Shills are paid props who help start and maintain poker
games.
Showdown
At the end of the final betting round, it's when all active
players turn their cards face-up to see who has won the
pot.
Side Pot
A separate pot(s) which is contested by remaining active
players when one or more players are all-in.
Sixth Street
In Seven-card Stud, this is the fourth "up"
card dealt to the player (their 6th card). It is also
the 4th round of betting.
Solid
A fairly tight player (and reasonably good).
Small Blind
The amount put in the pot by the person immediately to
the left of the dealer "button" prior to the
cards being dealt.
Speed
Limit
A pair of fives.
Split
Tie.
Stack
A pile of chips.
Stay
When a player remains in the game by calling rather than
raising.
Steel Wheel
A five high straight (A-2-3-4-5) of the same suit.
Straddle
A straddle is a Blind bet which is usually double the
size of the Big Blind\ (and that player may raise when
the action gets to him).
Straight
Five consecutive cards of any suit.
Straight
Flush
Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Structure
The limits put on the blinds/ante, bets, and raises in
any particular game.
Stud
Games
Games in which players get down cards and up cards.
Stuck
A player who is losing in a game. |
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T
Texas
Hold'em
This is also the name for Hold'em, the most popular form
of poker.
Third Street
In Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud 8 or Better, this
is the first betting round on the first three cards.
Thirty Miles
Three tens.
Three of a
Kind
Three cards of the same number or face value ("trips").
Tight
A player who doesn't play many pots. A tight game is one
that doesn't have much action.
TOC
Tournament of Champions.
Top
Pair
In flop games, when the player pairs one of his down cards
with the highest card on board.
Treys
A pair of threes.
Trips
Three of a kind.
Turn
In flop games, this is the fourth card dealt. It is the
third round of betting.
Two
Pair
A hand consisting of two different pairs. |
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U
Up
Card
A card that is dealt face-up. |
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V-W
Walking
Sticks
A pair of sevens.
Wild
Card
A card that can be played as any value.
Worst
Hand
A losing hand.
WSOP
World Series of Poker. |
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