Poker Vocabulary - Frequently Used Terms & Their Definitions

Curious about what that specific poker term means that keeps appearing? Look no further; 888poker offers a detailed glossary that dissects all crucial poker terminology. Additionally, we provide insightful strategy tips alongside many of these terms.

This section provides a complete overview of the entire poker glossary. You can use this page as a resource for locating and navigating through the key poker terms. You may also utilize the related topics at the bottom of each entry to move between glossary descriptions seamlessly.

  A B C D E F G H I J K L M

N O P Q R S T U V W

A

Ace High – This refers to a hand that does not consist of a pair or better and relies solely on having an Ace as the highest card.

Action –  This can denote any actions available during play, such as betting, raising, calling, checking, or folding. For a more comprehensive breakdown, refer to this glossary entry.

Aces Up - Two pair, one of which is Aces.

Add-On –  This term signifies an allowable addition to one’s stack of tournament chips for a predetermined fee during specified breaks.

A-Game –  This indicates playing poker while maintaining the ideal psychological state. It’s also referred to as being in a zone while playing.

Aggression Factor - This statistic measures the number of aggressive plays (like betting and raising) compared to passive actions (like calling).

Alias –  This term refers to the unique username utilized by a player in online poker. Many online players are recognized by their chosen screen name.

All-in –  This expression pertains to the action of pushing all of one’s chips into the center of the table. Refer to the glossary entry to learn when this could be the most strategic move.

Angle –  \"Angle shooting\" is the act of bending the rules to gain a dishonest advantage. Check this glossary entry for common examples of such tactics.

Ante – This is a compulsory stake that every player at the table must contribute before any cards are distributed. Antes are particularly prevalent in the later stages of tournaments.

Any Two - This phrase in Hold’em signals that an action can be executed irrespective of one’s hole cards - \"I would 3bet any two cards in that scenario\".

Any Two Cards - This expression signifies that in specific Hold’em situations, the specifics of the two hole cards hold little significance.

B

Backdoor –  This refers to a type of draw that requires landing two consecutive cards to come to fruition. For additional details regarding backdoor equity, refer to this glossary entry.

Backing - This refers to the practice of providing financial assistance to a poker player in exchange for a portion of their winnings.

Backraise –  This term indicates a re-raise that occurs after merely calling on the same betting round.

Bad Beat –  This describes losing a poker hand despite starting the round as a favorite. Usually, the money is put in favorably, leading to what is known as an opponent \"sucking out\".

Bad Beat Jackpot - A substantial consolation given to a player who has lost a hand while holding an exceptionally strong combination.

Bankroll –  This term denotes the total funds a player has available for participation in poker. Refer to this entry for strategies on managing your bankroll effectively.

Barrel –  This refers to making a wager after having been the last person to act aggressively in the preceding betting round.

bb – The notation ‘bb’ stands for ‘big blinds’ in poker. It serves as a standard unit of measurement for chip counts and bet sizes in games.

Belly Buster – A colloquial term for what is known as a gutshot, or more technically, an \"inside straight draw\".

Bet – To \"bet\" signifies initiating a wager during the ongoing betting round. You can find the complete list of permissible actions in the glossary entry titled \"Action\".

Big Bet –  This refers to the larger of the two specified bet sizes utilized in fixed limit games, generally applied during the later betting phases when the pot becomes larger.

Big Blind –  This refers to the table position directly adjacent to the small blind. The player in this position is responsible for making the obligatory big blind payment before the flop.

Blank –  This denotes a card that does not significantly influence the hand's progression. Typically, this is a low card that fails to complete any draws.

Blind –  Acting blind refers to proceeding without looking at one’s cards. Dive into this glossary entry to understand why this puts you at a significant disadvantage.

Blocker –  A \"blocker\" is a card that reduces the likelihood of an opponent holding a specific range of cards. For instance, if you have a King, they are less likely to possess one too. Explore this glossary entry for scenarios showing how blocker effects can be leveraged.

Blocker Bet –  A small bet intended to deter an opponent from making a larger wager if the action gets passed to them. Discover whether utilizing block betting is advisable within this glossary entry.

Blue Chips –  Blue chips typically have a value of $10, though this can vary. They are the highest denomination chips found in a standard three-color poker chip set.

Bluff –  A wager made with a weaker hand, hoping to induce an opponent to fold a stronger hand. Gain key insights into the nuances of bluffing theory within this glossary entry.

Bluffcatch –  To call in this context signifies matching a bet with a hand that can only win if the adversary is bluffing. Uncover the related calculations in this glossary entry.

Board –  This category includes either community cards in games like Hold’em and Omaha, or what are referred to as \"upcards\" in Stud poker variations.

Boat –  Commonly referred to within poker as a full house. Consult the glossary entry titled \"Hand Rankings\" for the complete listing.

Bomb Pot - An agreement among all players to contribute an additional ante into the pot before any cards are dealt at the start of the hand.

Bot –  A non-human entity at the poker tables. Although prohibited on most sites, they still manage to find their way into the games.

Bottom Pair - This term indicates a pair formed with the lowest ranked card among the community cards in games like Hold'em.

Bounty –  A reward that can be claimed after successfully eliminating a certain player from a tournament. Often, bounties are placed on professional players, particularly those who are sponsored.

Bring-in –  This term pertains to a mandatory payment made by the player who holds the weakest upcard on the third street in stud poker. The player can opt to pay either the bring-in or make a complete raise up to the small bet if they’re pleased with their cards.

Brick – This term designates a card that fails to complete any potential draws, particularly a low off-suit card.

Brick and Mortar - This indicates a physical establishment (like a casino) where poker games and other gambling activities are organized.

Broadway –  Any card from Ten to Ace can be collectively identified as a “broadway”. The Ace-high straight is also referred to in game terms as “broadway”.

BRM – Acronyms representing “bankroll management” refer to strategies that dictate when players should consider moving up or down in betting limits.

Bubble –  The stage in a tournament where no player has yet cashed in the prize pool. Check this glossary entry for strategies on navigating the bubble stage.

Bum Hunter - A poker player who solely confronts weaker adversaries (usually in heads-up matches) and may deliberately seek out vulnerable targets.

Burn –  Within live poker scenarios, it is customary for dealers to “burn” cards to minimize cheating risks. Instead of dealing directly from the top of the deck, the top card is discarded (or “burned”), and the next card is dealt.

Busted –  The term “busted” describes a failed draw (like a flush or straight draw) that never materialized.

Button –  The button position is regarded as the most advantageous spot at the poker table. It's located right to the small blind (SB) and left of the cutoff (CO).

Buy-in –  The amount needed to enter a poker game. In cash games, this may vary within certain limits, while tournament buy-ins are fixed.

C

Call –  To “call” means to equal the current bet on the active betting round. To see a full list of acceptable actions in poker, refer to the glossary entry labeled “Action.”

Calling Station –  This term points to a subpar poker player who frequently makes calls.

Calling Your Bluff –  “Calling your bluff” indicates that an opponent suspects you are bluffing and successfully makes the call.

Cap –  A cap game places a limit on the highest number of chips that can be wagered after the flop.

Card Dead - This poker phrase refers to a period where a player consistently receives poor hands and spends most of their time folding.

Card Removal - The influence that your hand has on the possible combinations of hands that your opponent may possess is referred to as the \"blocker effect.\"

Case –  This term denotes the last card of a specific rank remaining in the deck. For example, if three Aces are already in play, the final Ace would be termed as “the case Ace” if drawn.

Case Card –  The phrase \"case card\" refers to the final card available in the deck of a specific rank, such as \"the case ace\" meaning the last available Ace in the deck.

Cash Games - A cash format where chips directly correspond to cash values. Players can freely enter or exit the table as they wish.  

C-Game –  This refers to participating in poker while in a negative mental state. For tips on improving mental performance, see the glossary entry about \"Mental Game.\"

Chance - The term used to express the likelihood or probability of an event occurring in poker, commonly expressed as a percentage.

Chase - This phrase usually indicates trailing after something, which in poker refers to either pursuing a draw or trying to recover losses from a prior losing session.

Check –  The term “check” means to forgo making a bet. The action then shifts to the player to your left. Note that checking is only permissible if no wagers have been placed in the current betting round. Refer to the glossary entry labeled \"Action\" for a complete overview of legal actions.

Check in the Dark - To check in the betting round without permitting any opponent to wait and see what community cards are shown.

Check-Raise –  This refers to raising after your previous action in the current betting round was to check. To gain an understanding of all legal actions, consult the glossary entry under \"Action.\"

Chinese Poker –  A poker variant where cards are arranged into three rows, compared against the opponents’ rows to determine who scores points. Review this glossary entry for a concise overview of Chinese poker rules and the various types of played variants.

Chip and a Chair - This suggests that a player might still win an entire tournament despite being down to their last chip.

Chip Dumping – Using online poker platforms as a way to conduct unlawful money transfers. For more information on identifying chip dumping, refer to the glossary entry.

Coinflip – Engaging with approximately 50% of the pot's equity when wagering chips. This term can be somewhat broad as detailed in the glossary entry.

Cold-Call – A call made during the first betting phase where this call represents the player’s initial action of that betting phase.

Cold Deck - A term used to convey that we are experiencing an unlucky series of card draws.

Collusion –  The term 'collusion' is used to describe a cheating tactic where two or more players cooperate secretly to win chips from others who are unaware.

Colour Up - To exchange low-value chips for a fewer number of higher denomination chips to simplify the management of the chip stack.

Combination –  Refers to a distinct hand combination. Explore this glossary entry to learn about counting card combinations in the well-known poker variant, Hold’em.

Combo Draw –  Denotes a drawing hand with multiple components for draws. Typically, this involves a straight draw that simultaneously serves as a flush draw.

Community Cards –  Community cards are dealt face up at the center of the table and can be utilized by all players to create their 5-card hands. Not every poker variant incorporates community cards. The most popular games featuring community cards are Omaha and Hold’em.

Complete –  This may refer to calling from the small blind position when confronted with an open limp in Omaha or Hold’em. It can also indicate raising with the smallest bet when playing the bring-in in Stud games.

Connector –  This term describes a hand comprising consecutive ranks.

Continuation Bet –  This indicates that a player places a bet on the current street after having been the last to take aggressive action in the prior street.

Cooler –  A 'cooler' denotes a circumstance in which our hand is undeniably too robust to fold, but it ultimately succumbs to an even more powerful hand.

Counterfeit –  Refers to a scenario where a previously strong hand diminishes significantly in value after additional community cards are revealed. Consult the glossary for specific instances of counterfeiting.

Cowboys – A colloquialism for pocket Kings, which is regarded as the second strongest starting hand in Hold’em.

Crack –  Imbues the idea of a stronger hand outdrawing a weaker one. For example, 'My pocket Aces got shattered!'

Cripple –  Creates such a dominant hand that our adversary has no possibility of outdrawing us. For instance, 'We flopped big and crippled the deck.'

Crossbook - A wager placed between two participants in the same competition. The player who is eliminated first owes their opponent a share of the winnings difference.

Cutoff(CO) – The seat position directly to the right of the dealer button at the poker table. This location is perfect for attempting to steal the blinds.

D

Dark Bet –  A wager placed without waiting to see the next cards that will be dealt on this betting street.

Dealer –  The individual responsible for dealing cards; this could be a player or a staff member from the casino. The term 'dealer' also identifies the player who occupies the button position for the current hand.

Dealer's Choice - A type of poker game where the dealer has the autonomy to choose which variant of poker will be played for that particular hand or orbit.

Dead Man’s Hand - Two pairs, specifically Aces and Eights (as noted in most sources). For insights into the legend that inspired this hand's name, refer to the glossary.

Dead Money - Unused or surplus chips in the pot that could be claimed by the first player willing to take a bold action.

Deuce – A commonly used nickname for a card that has a rank value of two. You can learn more about the origins of this term in the glossary entry.

Depolarised - A strategy involving the top x% of hands without incorporating any bluffs.

Dirty Stack - A disorganized stack of chips (which may be considered poor etiquette or even cheating in certain scenarios). Chips should be grouped by denomination, with larger values arranged at the front of the stack.

Dog –  Short for 'underdog', implying that this particular hand or player is statistically less likely to achieve victory.

Domination –  Domination occurs when a weaker draw or established hand is likely to compete against an even stronger draw or hand amidst significant action. Explore the glossary for examples.

Donk –  To 'donk bet' is to make a wager while out of position during the current street after having previously closed the action by calling. This term can also describe an exceptionally weak player at the table, but be cautious as it can be viewed as derogatory.

Door Card –  A door card in Stud represents the first upcard the dealer gives to a player. While it is exclusive to the player, all players can see it.

Double Up – Doubling our chip stack after securing a win during an all-in scenario.

Downcard –  'Downcard' in Stud refers to cards dealt face down to a player. These cards belong solely to the player and remain unseen by others at the table.

Downswing –  Refers to an extended duration of losses. For further details on downswings, please refer to the glossary entry under 'Variance.'

Draw –  Denotes a situation where we are waiting on specific cards to complete our hand. For instance, if we hold four diamonds and are waiting for the fifth diamond to create a flush, we have a 'flush draw.' The term 'draw' also encompasses a range of poker variants in which players exchange cards with those from the deck during each betting round.

Drawing Dead –  A condition where none of our outs will result in us achieving the best hand. In other words, we have no chance of winning.

Dry –  Indicates a board texture that has very few, if any, potential drawing opportunities.

Ducks - A recognized nickname for pocket Twos in the Hold’em variant of poker. For additional insights, refer to this glossary entry.

E

Early Position - Refers to the initial two or three seats at a full ring poker table, particularly focused on the lojack position in a 6-handed game.

Effective Stacks –  Describes the smaller of the two stacks in play. The larger stack is limited to betting no more chips than the smaller stack has in play, with the size of the smaller stack being termed the 'effective stack.' See the glossary for illustrative examples.

Equity –  Illustrates the probability of a specific hand winning at showdown, granted that it doesn't fold. Explore the glossary entry for a more detailed exploration of this concept.

Equity Calculator –  A utility designed to evaluate the equity of various hands or ranges against others. Equity calculators often come with additional features as outlined in this glossary entry.

Expectation –  Interchangeably used with the term 'expected value'. For a comprehensive explanation, check the glossary entry under 'Expected Value.'

Expected Value –  Represents the 'expected value' of a certain play, which indicates the profitability anticipated over time. This can be computed through expected value calculations, which are further elaborated in this glossary entry.

F

Face Card –  Any Jack, Queen, or King in a deck; these cards generally feature a face illustration.

Family Pot –  Describes a pot where the majority of players choose not to fold during the initial betting phase. For instance, in a lineup of 6 players in Hold’em, typically 5 or 6 players will see the flop.

Fastplay –  To initiate betting and raising while in possession of a strong made hand.

Favourite –  Signifies that a particular hand or player is statistically favored to win.

Fifth Street - In Stud, this term describes the third betting round (the street on which each remaining player receives a fifth card).

Fish –  A general term for depicting a weak player at the table. This can sometimes be taken as a derogatory term, so exercise caution.

Fish Hooks – A nickname often given to pocket Jacks, recognized as a strong starting hand in Hold’em.

Five-Bet –  The fifth wager in a betting sequence. Refer to the glossary for an example.

Flat – Another term that can be used interchangeably with “call” in poker. See the entry for examples in usage.

Float –  A call made with a speculative holding, intending to bluff in later betting rounds. In more recent usage, this term has been reframed to describe 'a bet versus a missed continuation bet while in position.'

Flop –  The second betting round in games with community cards such as Omaha and Hold’em. The term 'flop' refers to the three community cards dealt face up on the table during this betting round.

Flush –  A hand consisting of five cards all of the same suit. For a detailed classification of different hand types, refer to the glossary entry under 'Hand Rankings.'

Fold –  'To fold' means to relinquish our cards in a situation where we choose not to match the current bet. See the glossary entry under 'Action' for a thorough overview of all legal options available.

Four-Bet –  The fourth bet in a betting sequence. Refer to the glossary for clarity with examples.

Fourth Street - The second betting phase in Stud; it's referred to as 'fourth' because players are dealt four cards at this point.

Free Card –  A card observed without requiring additional chip investment. Whether this holds a positive or negative implication varies according to the circumstances explained in this glossary entry.

Freeroll –  A tournament that does not necessitate a buy-in. It can also describe a scenario where a hand can either win or tie but has limited chances of loss. The concept of a freeroll becomes more apparent when reviewing the examples provided in this glossary entry.

Full Boat - A poker nickname for a full house—this hand consists of three cards of one rank paired with two cards of another.

Full House –  A five-card hand comprising a combination of three of a kind alongside one pair. Check the glossary under 'Hand Rankings' for a breakdown of various hand types.

G

Gap –  Refers to the gap existing between cards of consecutive rank. Examples are provided in the glossary.

Grinding –  Refers to engaging in poker over extended hours, gradually accumulating profit.

Gutshot –  Refers to an 'inside straight draw.' For instance, if we possess 5, 6, 8, and 9 and are awaiting a 7 to complete our straight.

Gutshot Straight Draw –  A variation of the straight draw where we seek a card that fits within our existing card structure to complete the straight. This is also known as an 'inside straight draw.'

H

Hanger – A term denoting a protruding bottom card when base dealing. Check this entry for guidance on identifying illegal base dealing in your own poker games.

Hand for Hand - The phase of poker tournaments where every table is required to finish their current hand before the tournament progresses to the next hand.

Hand Rankings –  Take a look at this glossary entry that explains the various types of hands you can have in poker. Curious if a straight can beat a flush? Discover the answer here!

Heads Up –  This term describes a poker hand where only two individuals are engaged in play. This might pertain to the initial deal or the subsequent betting rounds after everyone else has folded.

Hero Call –  A call made with a hand that isn’t strong but is based on the hope that the opponent is bluffing. Wondering if hero calls are ever a wise choice? Check out this glossary for insights.

Hero Fold - This occurs when a poker player opts to fold a hand that would typically be considered strong, due to a strong gut feeling that they are losing.

High Hand –  This describes a poker hand that lacks a pair or stronger combination. The value of the hand is determined by its highest card, with Aces usually being the most valuable. For an in-depth look at hand categories, refer to the glossary entry for 'Hand Rankings'.

High Roller -  The term 'High Roller' is used to identify those who engage in high-stakes gambling, not limited solely to poker. Often, casino players are also classified as high rollers.

Hijack – A specific seat at the poker table. For strategic tips, take a look at the relevant glossary entry.
Last Longer – A wager between two competitors in a tournament. The individual who is eliminated first ends up losing this bet.

Hit –  We say we 'hit' when a card appears that significantly improves our hand. For instance, 'We had a flush draw on the turn and managed to hit on the river.'

Hit and Run - This describes a scenario in which a player wins a considerable amount shortly after joining a cash game and then exits the game immediately after.

Hold’em –  This variant of poker is the most widely played and is sometimes called the 'Cadillac of Poker.' You can find the rules of this popular version in the glossary.

Hole Cards –  These are the cards dealt face down to players, which they must keep secret. In Hold’em, players receive two 'hole' cards, while in Omaha, they are given four.

House - This refers to the venue that conducts the poker game. It could be a physical casino or an online poker platform.

Hyper Turbo - This type of tournament (or sit and go) features a rapid blind structure and limited starting stacks.

I

ICM –  This acronym stands for 'Independent Chip Modelling,' a mathematical method used to assign real monetary value to tournament chips. For a detailed explanation, see the glossary entry.

Implied Odds –  This calculation for pot odds takes into account extra chips we could potentially win on later betting rounds if we complete our hand. The glossary entries for 'Pot Odds' and 'Implied Odds' are key to understanding this vital concept.

Inside Straight Draw –  Also known as a 'gutshot.' For example, if we have 5, 6, 8, 9, we will need to hit a 7 to complete our straight.

Insurance –  A side bet placed against another player at the table. If the hero's hand doesn't hold up, he will receive a payout from the partner player as insurance.

ITM - In poker, ITM means 'in the money,' indicating that a player has made it through the critical threshold to qualify for a cash prize.

J

Jackpot –  Some casinos or poker rooms offer a 'bad beat jackpot' for instances when a very strong hand is defeated. Check this glossary for additional details on how it typically functions.

Jam –  A casual expression for going all-in. To find out when it’s appropriate to commit all your chips, refer to the glossary entry for 'All-in'.

Joker - A joker is an extra card added to a deck, often designed with an image of a court jester. In poker, jokers may serve as wild cards.

K

Kicker –  These are cards that do not directly form a winning hand but still bolster the overall strength of a player’s hand as what are known as kickers. In cases where two players hold identical hands, the player with the highest kicker wins.

L

LAG –  This stands for 'Loose Aggressive' and describes a player who plays a wide range of starting hands with aggression.

Last Longer  – A side bet between players in a tournament that determines who can last longer. The last contestant to be eliminated from the tournament wins the wager.

Laydown –  This means pulling out of a hand. It sometimes suggests hesitation to part with the hand. 'We deliberated for a while but ultimately chose to lay it down.'

Levelling –  This refers to a strategic concept in poker where players think at different cognitive levels during a hand. For a detailed exploration of 'levels' and 'levelling', check the glossary.

Leverage –  This refers to chips that impact strategic decisions even when they are not currently active. Look at the glossary for examples.

Limit –  Used primarily to indicate a game with a fixed-limit betting format where all bets and raises occur in predetermined amounts.

Limit Poker - A betting structure in certain poker variations where players are required to bet or raise in fixed amounts.

Limp –  This refers to responding with a call when no raises have been made before us during the initial betting round. Check out this glossary entry to see if limping can ever be justified in poker.

Lowball –  An expression used for a type of poker variant that employs a 'low' hand ranking system. The best way to think about it is to say 'the worst hand wins,' although it operates on a more intricate basis. More details on different low hands can be found in the glossary under 'Low Hand'.

Low Hand –  In lowball versions of poker, the goal is to create the strongest 'low hand.' Visit this glossary entry for guidance on how different low hand ranks function in various poker variations.

M

Maniac –  This describes a particular player type known for playing in a manner that can be described as 'loose and wild.'

Mark - In poker lingo, this term signifies a weaker player at the table. Savvy players often target these individuals to increase their potential profits.

Mechanic - This refers to someone skilled in techniques that allow for manipulating a deck of cards to cheat while dealing.

Mental Game –  This term alludes to the practice of enhancing one's mental state while playing poker. This glossary entry offers helpful strategies to cultivate a robust mental game.

Middle Position – The term 'middle position' in poker identifies the seats known as hijack, lojack, and mp1 on a full ring table, specifically referencing the hijack on a 6-handed table.

Mid Stakes - This describes poker games featuring buy-ins higher than 'low stakes' but lower than 'high stakes,' effectively categorizing them as middle stakes.

Misclick – This signifies unintentionally taking an incorrect action while playing online, commonly referring to mistakenly clicking in the wrong spot.

Monotone –  This describes a board texture where all the cards belong to the same suit.

Monster –  A colloquial expression indicating an exceptionally strong poker hand.

Muck –  This involves returning losing hands to the dealer at showdown without revealing them to the others at the table. Mucking is typically permissible when we’re calling on the last street but not if we were the last aggressive player prior to showdown.

Must Move - An overflow game occurs when the primary table in a casino is occupied, prompting players to transition to the main table once a seat becomes available.

N

Nash Equilibrium - A concept in game theory. A Nash equilibrium is established when players reach a state of perfect balance, whereby they cannot boost their win rates by altering their current strategies.

Nit –  This refers to a very cautious player who rarely engages with starting hands, often just waiting for premium cards to land a significant payout.

Nosebleed – A term used to denote extremely high stakes cash game activities, typically beginning at stakes of 5knl or more.

No-Limit –  The term 'no limit' signifies a betting structure that allows players to wager or raise any sum at any time.

Nut-low –  This is the lowball equivalent of 'the nuts,' indicating the best possible low hand in a lowball (or split pot) variation of poker.

Nut Flush Draw – This refers to a draw aimed at creating an Ace-high flush, which is likely to be the best possible hand if the card appears.

Nut Flush – The Ace-high flush is often considered the best hand in games like PLO and NLHE.

Nuts –  This depicts the highest-ranking hand possible. The nuts can only tie and never lose.

O

Offsuit –  This term is typically used for a starting hand lacking coordination among suits, as suited hands are generally stronger than those that are not.

Omaha –  A well-known poker variant that uses community cards. During the preflop betting phase, each player is dealt four hole cards. Refer to this glossary entry for a comprehensive explanation of the rules.

One-Gap –  A term used to describe two cards that are not in consecutive order but have a gap of one number. For instance, the hand 79s in Hold’em is considered a 'one-gapper.'

Open-ended Straight Draw –  This denotes a straight draw where a player is waiting for one of two cards at the ends of their sequence. For example, holding 5678 allows for completing a straight if a 9 or a 4 turns up.

Open-raise –  To initiate the first raise during the opening betting round.

OOP – An acronym that stands for 'out of position.' For further details, check the glossary entry.

OMC - A term used to refer to the older player at the poker table who demonstrates certain recognizable traits.

Out –  This designates a card that will likely yield the best possible hand if it appears. Learn how to compute outs in this glossary entry.

Overbet –  This term refers to increasing a bet size beyond the current pot size. Explore circumstances in which overbetting would be advantageous in the glossary entry.

Overcall –  This indicates making a call when another player has already called before us on the current betting round. For example, this is often referred to as calling behind.

Overcard –  A card that is either higher than what’s on the board or exceeds our current hand. For instance, if we have a pair of Tens on the flop and the turn brings a King, this King is deemed an overcard to our pair.

Overlay –  This refers to additional funds introduced by the poker room into a tournament’s prize pool. This occurs when a guaranteed tournament cannot fulfill the promised payouts based solely on player buy-ins, resulting in a shortfall.

Overlimp - An overlimp occurs when a player calls in the first betting round following another player who has also limped in. (To limp means to simply call when it’s our turn to act in the initial round). An overlimp is frequently referred to as a 'limp behind.'

Overpair  – This refers to a pocket pair that ranks higher than the highest card dealt on the board in community card games such as Hold’em and Omaha.

P

Pair – In poker, when we possess two cards of the same rank, we have formed a pair. To find a detailed explanation of all hand types, please refer to the glossary entry labeled 'Hand Rankings'.

Play the Board – Refers to a scenario in which our hand is constructed solely from the community cards available on the table. It may also describe situations where we attempt plays based on the board cards rather than holding an actual hand in community card games or using the visible cards in Stud games.

Paint – This term refers to any cards that fall between the ranks of Jack and Ace, commonly referred to as 'broadway cards' or 'face cards' in poker lingo.

Pocket Rockets – This is the playful nickname assigned to pocket Aces in Hold'em, and it is widely recognized as the top starting hand one can be dealt.

Pocket Pair – Indicates a situation where the starting hand consists of a pair held in the hole cards.

Position – This can denote our exact seating position at the poker table, as well as refer to whether we are in a favorable position to act or not. The importance of this concept is thoroughly detailed in the corresponding glossary entry.

Post – The term 'post' typically relates to the required blind bets placed by the players, such as the small blind, big blind, or antes. Each player must post their antes 'before each hand begins.'

Postflop – In games featuring community cards, like Hold'em or Omaha, 'postflop' refers to all actions starting from the second betting round, known as the flop.

Pot – This is the central area of the poker table designated for all wagered chips. The player who emerges as the winner of the hand collects the entire pot.

Pot Committed – This concept signifies that a player has committed a significant portion of their chip stack, making it a poor decision to fold at this point.

Pot odds – When we face a bet, the cost to call is defined in relation to the existing amount in the pot. This is usually represented either as a ratio or a percentage.

Pot Limit – In this betting structure, the largest bet or raise permitted is equivalent to the total size of the pot. For instance, Omaha is often played with this pot-limit format.

Preflop – The initial round of betting that takes place in community card games like Hold'em and Omaha.

PRF - An abbreviation for 'preflop raiser'. This statistic reveals how often a player raises before the flop when given the opportunity.

Price  – Refers to the cost associated with certain actions, such as the amount we need to call in response to a bet. This term is often used synonymously with concepts like pot odds.

Probe – Traditionally seen as a small wager aimed at gathering information about opponents. However, in modern poker, it has evolved to refer to a specific strategy that involves betting versus a missed continuation bet when out of position.

Prop Player - A player who receives a predetermined hourly wage from a casino to participate in poker games at their tables. Prop players are distinct as they gamble with their personal funds.

Protection – A bet or raise that is executed with a hand that has already been made, primarily to force our opponent to fold rather than in anticipation of being called by a weaker hand.

Polarised - This refers to a method of constructing a hand range by categorizing hands into value hands and bluffs.

Pot - The mound of chips at the center of the table that players contend for. Any wager placed by players is added to the pot.

Q

Quads – A widely used nickname for 'four of a kind' in poker. While not an official term, it remains the most commonly recognized way to refer to this hand type.

Qualify – In games where pots can be split, a low hand must meet qualification criteria to be recognized as valid. In most versions, this means having five cards ranked 8 or lower. More details can be found in the relevant glossary entry regarding these rules.

R

Rabbit Hunt – Observing the remaining community cards post-folding serves no effect on gameplay but allows players to gauge whether they might have drawn a winning hand.

Ragged – Often utilized to characterize a board texture that lacks coordination among the cards.

Rap – A term that can be used interchangeably with 'tap', which generally describes the action of lightly tapping the table twice as a visual cue for a check in a live game.

Rainbow – Refers to a board texture (or sometimes a starting hand) where every card is of a unique suit.

Raise – To 'raise' signifies increasing the amount of the current bet. For a complete guide on your options, be sure to check out the glossary entry labeled 'Action'.

Rake – A small fee deducted from the pot in each hand as compensation for organizing the poker game.

Rakeback – A portion of the rake collected that is returned to players as a reward, often structured around a VIP system.

Range – The term 'range' refers to the potential sets of hands that a player might possess. This critical concept has further discussion in this glossary entry.

Range Advantage – This term describes a situation where one player holds a stronger range than their opponent. Various factors contribute to establishing this advantage, which are outlined in the glossary entry.

Rank – 'Rank' is simply another way to reference the value of a card, such as Jack, Four, Ace, etc.

Ratholing – Describes the process of exiting a cash game only to re-enter with a reduced number of chips. In this glossary entry, you can discover why this behavior is considered unethical.

Razz – This variant of seven-card stud is played with low hands only. For a comprehensive breakdown of the rules, please refer to the corresponding glossary entry.

Read – Sometimes seen as synonymous with the term 'tell,' it suggests that we possess insights into the range of hands our opponent might reveal. 'Normally I would have folded, but I had a read that villain likes to bluff, so I decided to call.'

Rebuy – This term refers to acquiring additional chips. While mainly applicable to cash games, there are also tournaments where rebuys are allowed.

Redraw – A scenario where a draw completes on the board, but we are aiming for an even stronger hand. This is best illustrated by examples provided in the glossary entry.

Regular - A poker participant who frequently plays in particular games. Typically indicates an opponent who showcases a skill level above average.

Represent – This signifies we are attempting to portray the presence of a certain holding even when we do not have one. The term also aids in analyzing the implications of our opponent's actions. Villain bet big across three streets; they are likely representing something substantial.

Reverse Implied Odds – Adjusted pot odds calculations consider the potential chips we may lose on upcoming betting rounds once our draw is completed. For a thorough explanation, see the glossary entry.

Re-raise – When we raise after someone has already made a raise in the current street, we are said to be re-raising. For the pertinent rules on re-raising in poker, refer to the glossary entry.

Ring Game – The term can refer to what is known as a 'Cash Game'. Since not every poker game is played with real money at stake, some prefer the term 'ring game' in specific contexts.

River – Indicates the last round of betting in games such as Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud.

River Rat – A player who manages to catch a lucky card on the river. This often pertains to players who have been calling excessively on the earlier streets.

Rock – Describes a type of player who enters the pot only with a very narrow range of hands. Sometimes this term overlaps with 'nit', depending on context, though some people differentiate the two distinctly.

Rolled Up - A term in Stud indicating that a player has been dealt three of a kind on the third street, also referred to as rolled up trips.

Royal Flush – This represents the strongest hand available in poker, which encompasses Ten, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, all in the same suit.

Run – A phrase used to characterize the pattern of card distribution over time. The expressions 'running good' and 'running bad' describe streaks of luck—be it favorable or unfavorable.

Rundown – The term 'rundown' generally describes connected starting hands seen in Omaha variants. For example, the hand T987 is known as a 'Ten-high rundown.' This glossary entry will clarify the distinctions between varying types of rundowns.

Run it Twice – When all remaining players go all-in, the final board cards are dealt two times—splitting the pot between the winners of each runout. This method helps alleviate variance levels. For insights on whether running it twice is advisable, check the glossary entry.

Runner Runner – This refers to forming a solid made hand after drawing consecutive cards. For instance, if we hold three hearts on the flop and subsequently draw hearts on both the turn and river, we end up with a flush.

S

Sandbagging – A term often used alongside 'slowplaying' or 'trapping.' It denotes the strategic approach of playing a strong hand in a deceitful manner through passive moves like checking or calling.

Satellite – A tournament event that provides winners with entry tickets to larger tournaments.

Scare Card – A card that might intimidate our competitor, leading them to chance folding more often. In this glossary entry, you can learn about its origins and whether it has legitimate strategic value.

Semi-Bluff – A bluff executed with a drawing hand in play. For instance, we can bluff while holding a draw for a flush. Even if we fail to win the pot, there's still a chance we could complete our flush on the next round.

Set – This represents three of a kind achieved specifically with a pocket pair held within the hole cards.

Set over Set – A situation where both players achieve a set simultaneously, with one being valued higher. This is often regarded as an unfortuitous 'cooler' scenario, as typically neither player would fold.

Sequence - Refers to the arrangement of the cards. For instance, a sequence of five cards in consecutive rankings qualifies as a straight in poker.

Short Handed – Describes a poker table where there are six players or fewer present. For example, heads-up poker is a variation of short-handed play.

Short Stack – A term for a player whose chip stack is relatively small. This usually includes stack sizes rated less than 100 big blinds and frequently refers to stacks under 50 big blinds.

Shove – Casual terminology used to indicate betting all-in. For guidance on when committing all chips makes sense, refer to the glossary entry detailing 'All-in.'

Showdown – Refers to the act of revealing the strength of our hand following the conclusion of all betting rounds.

Show Hand – The process of revealing our hole cards value once the hand has concluded.

Sick – A term that can connote either 'extremely fortunate' or 'extremely unfortunate', with the precise meaning hinging on the context.

Side Pot – A secondary pot emerges when one player pushes all their chips in, yet there are others still in the hand with chips they can bet. For an illustration of this scenario, refer to the glossary entry.

Sit and Go – A poker tournament format that commences once a specified number of participants has been met.

Sizing – This term simply describes how much we are wagering. Understanding how to size our bets can significantly impact our success in high-stakes games.

Slowplay – To play a strong, completed hand in a subtle manner, hoping to mislead our opponent into thinking we have a weaker hand. This strategy aims for them to either make aggressive bluffs or call us in later rounds once they believe we are at a disadvantage. Check the glossary for guidance on the benefits and risks associated with slowplaying.

Slowroll – Taking an excessive amount of time to respond when it's our turn to act, especially when we hold a dominating hand. Review the glossary to understand why this behavior is frowned upon in poker.

Soft Play - Engaging in a less effective strategy intentionally against a friend or familiar player, typically due to a prior relationship outside the game.

Solver - A poker tool that calculates game theory optimal plays based on a defined game tree for a specific hand.

Small Bet – Utilized in poker games with a fixed limit format, this term signifies the smaller of two stipulated bet amounts (known as the small and big bets).

Small Blind (SB) – The position at the card table immediately to the right of the dealer button. This position is also called the name of the required blind bet that the player in this position must make at the beginning of every hand.

Snap Call - Refers to making a call swiftly, without any delay in decision-making. This term can also apply when performing other actions, such as a quick fold or an instant all-in.

Splash the Pot – To recklessly push our chips into the pot without order. It's considered polite poker conduct to organize our chips neatly into stacks when placing large bets.

Split – A variant of poker in which the pot is divided between different types of winning hands. The classic example is the hi/lo split, where half of the pot goes to the high hand and the other half to the best low hand.

Split Pot - A split pot occurs when multiple players share the winnings, either due to a tied outcome or as a result of playing a game specifically designed for split pots.

Spread Limit - A betting structure allowing players to wager or raise within a defined range of permissible amounts. It often sits between fixed-limit and no-limit games.

Squeeze – A raise made when facing several opponents after an initial bet and a call has already been made during the current betting round. This is particularly relevant to 3-betting against multiple players during the preflop round in Omaha and Hold’em. Look at the glossary for examples.

SRP - Short for 'single raised pot' in poker, which pertains to pots where a single raise was made in the first round of betting.

Stab – To place a wager, especially when our opponent has just displayed signs of weakness. A typical example of such weakness could be when they skip the opportunity for a continuation bet.

Stack to Pot Ratio – This metric indicates the comparison between the total amount in the pot and the chips that remain in the effective stacks. Refer to the glossary for basic strategy application.

Staking - This refers to the practice of providing financial assistance to a poker player in exchange for a portion of their winnings.

Stand Pat – This is a legal choice in draw games. To 'stand pat' signifies opting not to draw additional cards, keeping our existing hand intact.

Steam – A term signifying a player is in a state of frustration or anger—often referred to as 'tilted'—usually brought on by a streak of poor card outcomes.

Stealing – Stealing refers to an act in the initial betting round designed to take down the pot uncontested, particularly when one is the first to raise. For instance, an opening raise from the small blind, button, or cutoff in Hold’em is viewed as an attempt to steal the blinds.

Steel Wheel - Refers to the Ace to Five straight flush, a notably powerful hand in PLO8 that has the potential to win both the high and low portions of the pot.

Stop and Go - This term describes a strategy where a player makes a bet on the flop, checks the turn, and then continues by betting again on the river.

Straddle – A straddle is a voluntary blind wager made before any cards are dealt. Refer to the glossary for a detailed breakdown of different straddle types.

Straight – A five-card sequence where all cards are of consecutive rank, such as 5-6-7-8-9. For more information on other hand rankings, check the glossary entry under 'Hand Rankings.'

Straight Flush – A five-card sequence where the cards are in consecutive order and also belong to the same suit. For detailed hand rankings, see the glossary entry under 'Hand Rankings.'

Street Poker – A silent agreement among players to play poker in a very loose and unstructured manner. The glossary provides examples of this concept.

String Bet – A string bet indicates breaking a betting decision into separate stages. For instance, saying, 'I call your bet and raise you an additional 50.' In a contemporary casino, a player would be expected to stick to their initial statement, which was to call. For further insights, consult the glossary.

Structure – The term 'structure' encompasses various aspects related to the format of a poker game. In this glossary entry, we discuss betting and tournament structures.

Stud – A poker variant without any community cards, where players receive both visible upcards and hidden downcards. Refer to the glossary for complete rules of the game.

Suck out – This occurs when our opponent draws an unlikely card and subsequently wins the pot.

Suited – The concept of 'suited' usually applies to a starting hand featuring two or more cards that share the same suit.

T

Table Stakes – A regulation that protects players from being forced to wager more chips than they originally brought to the table.

TAG – An acronym for 'Tight Aggressive', describing a player who participates in hands with a relatively tight range while maintaining an aggressive approach.

Tank – An abbreviation for 'time bank', referring to the duration taken to contemplate decisions during gameplay.

Tell – Often used interchangeably with the term 'read', a tell is an involuntary signal from our opponent indicating they may possess a specific type of hand. Consult the glossary for a compilation of common live tells.

Texture – Generally describes the texture of the board in games such as Hold’em and Omaha but could encompass any set of cards, including those in Stud.

Three-Bet – This indicates the third bet made in a series of wagers. Check the glossary for examples.

Three of a Kind – We achieve this hand when we hold three cards of the same rank along with two additional kickers. To see a complete breakdown of various hand types, refer to the glossary under 'Hand Rankings.'

Three Pair – A term primarily used in Omaha, where only two of the pairs are relevant, while a third pair provides extra opportunities to form a full house.

Tie – When two hands are of equal strength, leading to a splitting or choping of the pot.

Tilt – This term describes playing poker while being influenced by an emotional state—such as anger, fear, or lack of motivation. The glossary has tips on enhancing this aspect of your poker skills under 'Mental Game.'

Time Bank – The additional time permitted for online players during a hand.

Tournament – A poker variation characterized by a fixed buy-in amount, where players continue until they exhaust their chips. The last player remaining is generally declared the tournament champion. For tournament play strategies, view the respective glossary entry.

Tracking Software – Software designed to track poker outcomes and offer a variety of other features. For a rundown of the common functionalities of tracking software, refer to the glossary.

Trap – Playing a strong, completed hand in a passive manner, hoping our opponent will attempt a significant bluff.

Trey – A commonly used term to refer to the card valued as 'Three.'

Trips – A colloquial expression for three of a kind—especially when the hand is not formed with a pocket pair.

Turn – The third betting round in games like Hold’em and Omaha.

Two-bet – The second wager in a betting sequence. See the glossary for an illustrative example.

Two Pair – A hand composed of two pairs along with one kicker. For detailed descriptions of all hand types available, refer to the glossary under 'Hand Rankings.'

Two-tone – This describes a board texture or set of cards featuring two different suits.

U

Under the Gun – A term indicating the player who takes action first in the initial betting round.

Underbet – A bet size that is less than half of the total pot. Refer to the glossary for guidance on when it is appropriate to use a smaller betting amount.

Underdog – Sometimes referred to simply as a 'dog,' this term illustrates a hand or player that statistically stands a smaller chance of winning.

Upcard – A face-up card dealt to the player in a Stud game, visible to all participants at the table.

Upswing – An extended stretch of winning, particularly when the win rate surpasses the expectations. i.e. a good run.

Up the Ante – A standard phrase signifying an increase in stakes. It can also refer to the raising of antes as each blind level in a tournament progresses.

V

Value Bet – A bet made with a strong hand with the hope of receiving calls from worse hands. Check the glossary for insights on value betting.

Variance – A term that encapsulates the fluctuations in a poker player's career. Variance can be more significant than what many players anticipate. The glossary entry aims to provide a clearer perspective.

Variant – A specific type of poker game, with numerous variations available; among them are Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, and 5-card Draw.

Villain - A frequently utilized poker term to denote our opponent in a game.

VPIP - Stands for 'voluntarily put in pot.' This metric indicates how often a player contributes chips to the pot preflop when they have the choice. A high VPIP suggests a loose playing style.

Vulnerable – A hand is deemed vulnerable when it is likely to be outdrawn by stronger hands.

W

Whale – An exceptionally poor poker player, a term particularly used for those who struggle significantly in higher stakes games.

Wet – A term describing a board texture that offers excellent connectivity, leading to numerous possible drawing hands.

Wheel – The Ace to Five straight, a particularly robust hand in PLO8, capable of competing for both the high and low pots.

Wired –  This is a reference to a specific situation on Third Street in poker, where both cards dealt to the players are face-down.

Wrap –  This term describes a significant straight draw in Omaha game variants. In contrast to Texas Hold'em, many of the substantial straight draws in Omaha can have an abundance of possible outs, sometimes reaching up to 20.

Wrap Around Straight – A type of straight in poker where the Ace is situated in the middle of the five cards. Typically, this is not considered a valid hand in most poker variations.

WSOP –  This abbreviation stands for an event widely regarded as one of the most distinguished in the world of poker, known as The World Series of Poker. It takes place annually in Las Vegas.

WTSD – Refers to the point in a game where the players reveal their hands after all betting rounds have completed. This statistic reflects how frequently a player reaches the showdown stage following the flop.

WWSF –  WWSF represents the term won when saw flop, which tracks how often a player manages to secure victory in the hand after seeing the flop.

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