Texas Hold'em Poker Terms and Glossary
- Texas Holdem Vocabulary
- Texas Holdem Terms
- Texas Holdem Vocabulary Terms Definitions
- Texas Holdem Poker Terminology
- Texas Holdem Terms Slang
- Texas Holdem Vocabulary Terms Examples
In games such as Texas hold 'em, where five community cards are dealt, if the player's best hand is on the board and the player goes to the showdown they are said to play the board. Pocket aces Refers to a starting poker hand that contains two Aces. The most common context is a game of Texas hold 'em. Other names for Ace-Ace include American. Texas Hold’em Poker Rules This is a short guide for beginners on playing the popular poker variant No Limit Texas Hold’em. We will look at the following: 1. The betting options 2. The positions 3. The flow of action 4. The hand rankings 5. Eginner’s terminology We’ll also discuss our top 10 poker terms that every player. Basic Poker terms a glossary of “poker talk'. Learn the Lingo needed to play poker online and the meaning behind them. Then join the online tables to win.
Our poker glossary listed below includes not only common poker terms, but also poker terms specifically related to online poker. The game of poker is evolving, and like any language, new words are being added to the poker lexicon all the time. Knowing what poker players are saying when they use poker lingo, poker jargon, and even poker slang will ensure that you have an equal chance at the table.
All-in If you bet all your chips at any point, you are considered as having gone 'All-in.' This can happen either when you don't have enough chips to make a required or elective bet, or when you bet all your chips as a strategic move in No Limit games. Having gone All-in gives you the potential to win a share of the pot up to and including your last contribution to that pot. You cannot share in any bets added above and beyond that point. These bets form a side-pot. The all-in is also used for situations where a player in a hand loses connection to the server. | 'Going all-in with your chips occasionally ends with your going all out of the game.' |
Ante An ante is a mandatory bet paid equally by all players prior to a poker hand being dealt. Antes are always found in stud and razz poker games (where there are no blinds), and also quite frequently in the later stages of No Limit Hold'em tournaments to encourage more action. Antes are also available at select No Limit Hold'em cash tables. | ||||
Avatar A term from computer gaming for an image or figure used to represent a person. Away-from-table In tournaments, you may not 'sit out'. Rather, you may be 'away-from-table' which means you are dealt into every hand, posting blinds when it's your turn, and then folded when there is a raise before the flop, or a bet after the flop. When you are in a tournament and need to leave, time-out, or lose your connection, you are automatically marked as 'away-from-table'. | ||||
Back Bet A 'Back Bet' is a bet on something to happen (a prop bet) – a horse to win a race, a football team to win, or in poker’s case, winning a hand with the hole cards 27 offsuit. It’s just like a poker prop bet that you would regularly place in live games at casinos or with friends. | ||||
Bad Beat This term refers to a heavy favorite in a hand who loses to an opponent who was a severe underdog statistically speaking. Bet the Pot This term is used in pot limit games. It means your bet matches the current amount in the pot. If, when your turn to bet, the pot was at $217, and you bet the pot, your bet is $217. | ||||
Big Blind The big blind is the bigger of two forced bets, ensuring that there is money in the pot. The small blind is placed by the player to the left of the dealer and the big blind is then posted to the small blind's left. Generally, the big blind is equal to the minimum bet. In a $5/$10 limit game, for example, the big blind is $5. | ||||
Blind This term refers to the required bets, called the small blind and the big blind used to put money into play. The blinds are mandatory bets and rotate around the table. Board The community cards in Hold'em are collectively known as the board. | ||||
'Poker has a language all its own. You need to know the jargon if you want to play the game.' |
Burn In physical poker rooms, the top card of the deck is discarded prior to each round of dealing. The intent is to minimize the risk of cheating by knowing the next card. There is no possibility of this happening in our poker room, therefore we do not burn cards. Button A marker, usually disk-shaped, to indicate which player is the virtual dealer. The button is used in games where position relative to the dealer is important. |
Buy-in The amount of money required to sit down at a poker game. Tournament entry fees are considered the 'buy-in.' At a ring game, there is a minimum and a maximum buy-in, defining how much money you can bring to the table. | ||||
Call When a player matches the prior bet on the table, that action is termed the call. | ||||
Cap The last permitted raise in a betting round is called the cap. We allow three raises beyond the initial bet in limit games. The third raise is the cap. | ||||
Check If there is no bet on the table and you do not wish to place a bet, that action is termed a check. You may only check when there are no prior bets. | 'If you check, you're still in the hand. A check is not a bet, but also not a fold.' | |||
Client The term for the software that you download to your computer, allowing you to interact with the poker room's servers. | ||||
Collusion A form of cheating where two or more players attempt to gain an unfair advantage by sharing information. We do not tolerate cheating. | 'Cheaters and colluders will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law' | |||
Community Cards Face up cards on the table that are shared by all players are termed community cards. Texas Hold'em and Omaha always have community cards. |
Dead Blind In a situation where you have missed your blinds and wish to re-enter the game before your turn to post the big blind. You must post both blinds and the small blind is termed a dead blind, meaning it does not count towards calling a bet. Dead Hand A hand no longer in the game. | ||||
Down Cards The face-down cards dealt to a player, also termed hole cards. | ||||
Drawing Dead This describes the situation when a player is trying to draw a card to complete a hand when there is already a hand that will beat it, even if made. | ||||
Drop To drop your hand when you decide not to go further with your hand; to return your cards to the muck. Same as fold. Face Down Dealt cards that are not visible to other players. Face Up Dealt cards that are visible to all players. | ||||
Fixed Limit Poker In a fixed limit poker game, the amount you can bet or raise is fixed for each round of betting. For example, if you’re playing a $2-$4 fixed limit Texas Hold'em game, every player can only bet or raise $2 during the first two rounds of betting, and can only bet or raise $4 during the last two rounds rounds of betting. To understand this better, plese refer to our article: In Praise of Fixed Limit Poker. Flop In Texas Hold'em, the set of 3 face-up community cards or the first three cards on the board, all dealt at the same time. | ||||
Flush Any 5 cards in one hand that are all the same suit. | ||||
Fold Withdraw from further participation in the current hand. Also see drop. | ||||
Forced Bet A mandatory bet. In certain games, a player is required to bet, having sat-in the game. Four of a Kind A great hand ... all 4 of one rank. For example, 4 Tens. | ||||
Freeroll This term applies to poker tournaments where the entry fee, the stakes, or both the entry fee and stakes are waived. In some non-freeroll tournaments, the house may guarantee a minimum prize pool. | 'A freeroll is a tournament that every player can afford to play.' | |||
Full House A hand in which you have a combination of 3 of a kind, and a pair. |
Hand A set of cards used by a player during a single round. Another word for a single round of shuffling, dealing, and betting. Hand for Hand (h4h) The end stage of a multi-table tournament where play is coordinated across all tables to prevent players from slow-playing in order to gain an advantage and move up in the prize structure. The Hand for Hand mechanism is usually employed at the stage when the amount of the prize money is due to increase. Typically, players will need to wait at their table until the action on a hand is completed at another table before a new hand is dealt. When a player is eliminated from the tournament and the higher prize level is reached, Hand for Hand action stops, only to resume when the next prize level increase is reached. When playing Titan Poker tournaments, players see a notification indicating that they are in Hand for Hand mode. | ||||
Heads Up A game where only two players remain in contention for the pot. Head to Head A game where only two players may participate. | ||||
High Card The card with the highest rank. High/Low A variation of a game where the pot is split between the best hand and the worst hand. The worst hand is comprised of the 5 lowest cards. Most poker rooms, including this one, consider 5, 4, 3, 2, A (the wheel) as the lowest possible hand, despite it also being a straight. | ||||
Hold'em Also called Texas Hold'em. One of the most popular poker games. Each player gets 2 down cards and can use 3,4, or 5 of the community cards. | ||||
Hole Cards The down cards in a player's hand. | ||||
In A term for being an active player; one who has not folded. | ||||
Inside Straight The term applied when a player has 4 of 5 cards needed for a straight with the missing card being inside the sequence rather than at either end, and gets the missing card. For example, a player holding 3, 4, 5, 7 needs a 6 to complete the straight. Getting that 6 is termed 'making the inside straight.' Jackpot A bonus opportunity to win under specific circumstances set by the poker room. | ||||
Kicker The term for the card used to break ties between two of a kind or between Two Pair. | ||||
Live Blind A forced bet put in by one or more players before any cards are dealt. The 'live' means those players still have the option of raising when the action gets back around to them. | ||||
Main Pot The initial pot of money. When one or more players go all-in, a side pot is created for each all-in player. Muck As a noun, this refers to the pile of folded cards and discarded cards. As a verb, at showdown time, the act of returning a losing hand to the dealer facedown. Multi-Entry Tournaments Multi-Entry Tournaments (MET) allow players to register to play at multiple tables at a single tournament to increase their winning potential. Each of the entries to an MET has a separate chip stack and is played simultaneously. Players can either register multiple times simultaneously or only enter again if they get eliminated. | ||||
Multi-Table Tournament (MTT) A tournament where players at more than one table compete, starting with equal numbers of chips, until one player has won all the chips. Prize payouts are a function of the number of entrants, and are posted on the tournaments page. Multi-table tournaments have a posted start time, and require registration in advance. | ||||
nh Nice hand. | ||||
No Limit A variation of the betting rules in which each bet is unlimited up to the number of chips a player has on the table (NL). | 'No-limit Hold'em: Hours of boredom followed by moments of sheer terror' Tom McEvoy | |||
No Limit Hold'em The most popular variety of poker, featuring unlimited betting. Most poker tournaments, both online and live, are played in the No Limit Hold'em format. | ||||
Omaha A game in which each player receives 4 facedown cards and shares 5 community cards. The winning hand must use exactly 2 down cards and 3 community cards. Omaha High/Lo This game allows players to compete for a pot split between the highest and the lowest hands using 2 down cards and 3 community cards. A player may use different sets of cards to make up the best high and the best low hands. | ||||
On the button This term means you are in the dealer position in Texas Hold'em and Omaha games.A 'button' marks the dealer position with a 'D' in the center. | ||||
Pair This is a hand where the player's best hand is made up of 2 cards of the same rank. | ||||
Pass Can be used in place of either check or fold depending on the context. Play Chips The chips used for play money games. Play chips have no monetary value. Playing the Board Using all the community cards in Hold'em as your best hand. | ||||
Pocket Cards The term for the two down cards at the start of the hand. | ||||
Pot The chips available to be won in any given hand. | 'A multi-way pot is one where there are three or more players left in the hand vying for the pot.' | |||
Pot Limit A variation on betting where each player may bet up to the current amount in the pot (PL). | ||||
Profile A term describing the information a player may enter about himself/herself that may be available, at the player's option, to other players in the poker room. | ||||
Raise The act of increasing the amount bet by a prior bettor. Rake The amount of money, in chips, taken by the house as the service fee in a ring game when the pot reaches a minimal amount. | ||||
No flop, no drop = Rake is not charged if a hand has ended before the flop cards have been dealt. | ||||
Raked Hand A Raked Hand is any hand in ring game play in which a player participates by contributing to the pot, either by posting a blind or a bet, and rake is generated. Rank The value of a card. The rank of the 2 of Spades is 2. The rank of the Queen of Hearts is Queen. Rank value increases from 2 through 10, followed in order by Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. In High/Low games, the Ace may be used both for its high rank and as the lowest rank card. | ||||
Re-buy To get more chips during a game but not during a hand that you are in. This applies to real money and tournament play. | ||||
Reducing The act of removing chips from a table and returning immediately with fewer chips. Reducing is considered poor etiquette. Re-Entry Tournaments Re-Entry Tournaments (RET) allow players to re-register after they are eliminated, simply by buying back in. As a result, more players participate at the tournament tables and prize pools grow larger. | ||||
River The fifth and final community card. This card is also known as Fifth Street. | ||||
Round This refers to the dealing of a set of cards and associated betting. For example, the dealing of the river and the bets that follow are a round. | ||||
Royal Flush The best possible high hand. This is a straight flush from 10 through to Ace of the same suit. | ||||
Satellite A preliminary poker tournament awarding seat(s) to a larger, more important tournament. | ||||
Screen Name The identity you select by which you are known in the poker room. We only allow one player per screen name so please understand if the one you have selected is already taken. Server The computer, or set of computers, providing a service to client computers. In this case the service is the poker room. | ||||
Showdown After the final bet, when all players show their hands or muck, is known as the showdown. | ||||
Side Pot This is a pot created when a player goes all-in. The side pot is the pot available to those players not all-in at that point. There can, on occasion, be more than one side pot. | ||||
Sit 'N' Go A poker tournament which starts as soon as the required number of poker players sit down at the table. Sit 'n' go tournaments are usually single table tournaments, however, there are multi-table tournaments that are considered sit 'n' go tournaments and which start play as soon as all available seats are filled. | ||||
Single Table Tournament (STT) A poker tournament taking place at just one table. All players buy-in with an equal amount and the buy-in money goes to the prize pool. The prize pool is returned to the top finishers per the payout table on the tournaments page. A fee is normally required to play at this table. Players are staked to equal numbers of chips and play until one player has won all the chips. | ||||
Sit Out We permit you to hold your seat at a table while not participating in some hands. Under most conditions, we limit the time you may sit out. In blind games, you may be asked to post the equivalent of the blind if you return to your seat prior to the blind reaching you. To sit out you click a check box on the table screen. To return, you unclick the 'sit out' check box. | ||||
Small Blind In Hold'em and Omaha, this is the mandatory bet required of the player to the left of the dealer. Stakes In Limit games, Stakes are the fixed amount for bets and raises. Steel Wheel If a player holds a five high straight flush, (5-4-3-2-A), it is commonly called a 'steel wheel'. | ||||
Straight A hand in which the player has five cards in rank order. Suit does not matter. For example, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen. | ||||
Straight Flush A straight all of the same suit. | ||||
Stud The generic term for poker games where players receive the first card(s) down followed by some up cards where those up cards are exclusively for the use of that player. There may be a further down card as in 7 Card Stud. | ||||
'Hold'em is to Stud, what chess is to checkers' - Johnny Moss | ||||
Suit Any of the four sets (Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, and Spades) in a deck of cards. | ||||
Texas Hold'em The poker game where each player gets two down cards followed by five community cards face-up. | ||||
Three of a kind A hand consisting three cards of the same rank. Tournament Buy-In The cost to enter a tournament. All buy-in money is returned to the players via the prize pool. Tournament Entry-Fee A small fee the house charges to enter a tournament. Trips A nickname for three of a kind. Turbo A form of poker play with minimal time to make decisions. Turn The nickname for the fourth community card in Hold'em and Omaha. | ||||
Two Pair A hand in which the player has two pairs of cards. Under-raise This occurs when a player raises a prior bet but has to go all-in to do so with an amount less than the full raise. Up Card A card dealt face up, so that all players may see it. Wheel A nickname for the best low hand 5, 4, 3, 2, A. |
The below gives explanations for the most popular examples of poker terminology. The Glossary is designed for you to use to check what all the various poker terms mean. Poker is a game that uses a lot of jargon, but you will quickly get used to the language.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
A
Action
Making, or calling, a bet or raise. i.e. “giving action”.
Making, or calling, a bet or raise. i.e. “giving action”.
All-in
When a player is all-in, they have bet all of their remaining chips, and can take no further active part in future betting rounds.
When a player is all-in, they have bet all of their remaining chips, and can take no further active part in future betting rounds.
Angle/Angle Shooting
Attempting to manipulate the action or other players decisions through questionable or illegal behavior. Cheating.
Attempting to manipulate the action or other players decisions through questionable or illegal behavior. Cheating.
Ante
Poker games like Stud are played with an ante; a forced bet that every player has to post before each round of betting. Antes are also introduced in the later levels of some No-Limit Hold’em tournaments.
Poker games like Stud are played with an ante; a forced bet that every player has to post before each round of betting. Antes are also introduced in the later levels of some No-Limit Hold’em tournaments.
B
Bad Beat
Losing a hand after getting action as an overwhelming favourite.
Losing a hand after getting action as an overwhelming favourite.
Backdoor Draw
A draw that requires two cards to complete, i.e. a flop with one heart when you hold two hearts in your hand.
A draw that requires two cards to complete, i.e. a flop with one heart when you hold two hearts in your hand.
Badugi
(1) Badugi is a relatively new type of poker game originally from Asia. Each player gets four cards, and there are three draws. The player with the lowest hand wins the pot.
(2) Four cards of different suits that don’t form a pair is a hand known as a Badugi.
(1) Badugi is a relatively new type of poker game originally from Asia. Each player gets four cards, and there are three draws. The player with the lowest hand wins the pot.
(2) Four cards of different suits that don’t form a pair is a hand known as a Badugi.
Bankroll
Refers to the amount of money you have available solely for playing poker.
Refers to the amount of money you have available solely for playing poker.
Barrel
To continue betting on future streets post flop after taking the betting lead on the current street.
To continue betting on future streets post flop after taking the betting lead on the current street.
Bet
The first bet made in a round of betting. If this bet is increased later in the same betting round, this is known as a raise.
The first bet made in a round of betting. If this bet is increased later in the same betting round, this is known as a raise.
Big Stack
A player who has a lot of chips.
A player who has a lot of chips.
Blind
A forced bet which has to be posted before each hand. The player to the left of the dealer posts the small blind, while the player two places left of the dealer posts the big blind. As a rule the big blind is twice the size of the small blind.
A forced bet which has to be posted before each hand. The player to the left of the dealer posts the small blind, while the player two places left of the dealer posts the big blind. As a rule the big blind is twice the size of the small blind.
Blind Level
Describes the size of the forced blind bets in the current stage of a tournament. The size of the blinds increases with each new level.
Describes the size of the forced blind bets in the current stage of a tournament. The size of the blinds increases with each new level.
Blind Stealing
A raise before the flop with a weak hand, with the aim of forcing all opponents to fold, and therefore winning the blinds. Works best from late position if all players have folded so far.
A raise before the flop with a weak hand, with the aim of forcing all opponents to fold, and therefore winning the blinds. Works best from late position if all players have folded so far.
Bluff
When a player bets and/or raises without having a good hand, to try and make their opponent fold the better hand.
When a player bets and/or raises without having a good hand, to try and make their opponent fold the better hand.
Bluff Catcher
A hand that is not strong enough to beat an opponent who is betting for value with a made hand, but only an opponent who is bluffing.
A hand that is not strong enough to beat an opponent who is betting for value with a made hand, but only an opponent who is bluffing.
Board
The five community cards in the middle of the table in poker games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha.
The five community cards in the middle of the table in poker games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha.
Boat
(slang) A full house.
(slang) A full house.
Break-even
To break-even means that neither a loss nor a profit has been made.
To break-even means that neither a loss nor a profit has been made.
Bubble
Describes any significant threshold in a tournament. The most common tournament bubbles are the initial money bubble, and the final table bubble.
Describes any significant threshold in a tournament. The most common tournament bubbles are the initial money bubble, and the final table bubble.
Bubbleboy
The player in a tournament eliminated directly before the paid places are reached, therefore going away empty-handed.
The player in a tournament eliminated directly before the paid places are reached, therefore going away empty-handed.
Burncard
The card that gets discarded by the dealer before the community cards are dealt, in order to prevent cheating.
The card that gets discarded by the dealer before the community cards are dealt, in order to prevent cheating.
Busted/Bust-out
When you are eliminated from a tournament after losing all your chips
When you are eliminated from a tournament after losing all your chips
Button
(1) A plastic disc which is passed clockwise each hand to determine the position of the nominal dealer.
(2) Named used to describe the nominal dealer in the current hand.
(1) A plastic disc which is passed clockwise each hand to determine the position of the nominal dealer.
(2) Named used to describe the nominal dealer in the current hand.
Buy-in
The amount of money players have to pay to enter a tournament. Most of this money goes into the prize pool, except for a small entry fee retained by the card room (also see rake).
The amount of money players have to pay to enter a tournament. Most of this money goes into the prize pool, except for a small entry fee retained by the card room (also see rake).
Bring-in
A forced bet in Stud, which has to be placed by the player with the lowest open card.
A forced bet in Stud, which has to be placed by the player with the lowest open card.
Broadway
(1) Name of the highest-possible straight in poker, for e.g. Tc-Jc-Qh-Kd-As.
(2) A single card (T-x or higher) is also often called broadway or a broadway card.
(1) Name of the highest-possible straight in poker, for e.g. Tc-Jc-Qh-Kd-As.
(2) A single card (T-x or higher) is also often called broadway or a broadway card.
C
Call
Calling means you are matching the last bet made.
Calling means you are matching the last bet made.
Cap
The fourth and last possible raise in a fixed limit game.
The fourth and last possible raise in a fixed limit game.
Cash Game
Poker played for real money, with blind levels that stay the same. Players can come and go as they please, and buy new chips anytime they want.
Poker played for real money, with blind levels that stay the same. Players can come and go as they please, and buy new chips anytime they want.
Calling Station
A player who plays many hands in a very loose way. They will call often, but rarely raise or fold.
A player who plays many hands in a very loose way. They will call often, but rarely raise or fold.
Check
If no bets have been made, a player has the option to check, i.e. stay in the hand without putting any more chips into the pot.
If no bets have been made, a player has the option to check, i.e. stay in the hand without putting any more chips into the pot.
Check-Call
To check and then call an opponent’s bet.
To check and then call an opponent’s bet.
Check-Raise
To check and then raise an opponent’s bet.
To check and then raise an opponent’s bet.
Chipleader
The player with the largest amount of chips in a tournament.
The player with the largest amount of chips in a tournament.
Community Cards
The five cards dealt face up in the center of the table, which can be used by all players.
The five cards dealt face up in the center of the table, which can be used by all players.
Complete
(1) Hold’em: To call preflop from the small blind if no bets have been placed.
(2) Stud: The first raise in the first betting round.
(1) Hold’em: To call preflop from the small blind if no bets have been placed.
(2) Stud: The first raise in the first betting round.
Connector
Two or more connected cards, for e.g. 6c-5s. Connected cards of the same suit are called suited connectors (6s-5s for instance).
Two or more connected cards, for e.g. 6c-5s. Connected cards of the same suit are called suited connectors (6s-5s for instance).
Continuation Bet
A bet made on the flop by the last player who raised preflop. Also known as a C-bet.
A bet made on the flop by the last player who raised preflop. Also known as a C-bet.
Cold Deck
When a very strong hand is beaten by a player who improves their hand on the board.
When a very strong hand is beaten by a player who improves their hand on the board.
Cut-off
The player seated to the right of the dealer. A strong position to be in, because you are one of the last to act on every round of betting.
The player seated to the right of the dealer. A strong position to be in, because you are one of the last to act on every round of betting.
D
Dead Money
Money in a pot which comes from players who have already folded, and therefore cannot participate in the hand any longer.
Money in a pot which comes from players who have already folded, and therefore cannot participate in the hand any longer.
Dealer
(1) Live games: the person who deals the cards, sorts out the pot and watches over the game.
(2) Online: the position of the nominal dealer, marked by a dealer button, which is passed on clockwise.
(1) Live games: the person who deals the cards, sorts out the pot and watches over the game.
(2) Online: the position of the nominal dealer, marked by a dealer button, which is passed on clockwise.
Defending the Blinds
When a player is in one of the blinds and plays to try and enusre they keep their chips by winning the pot.
When a player is in one of the blinds and plays to try and enusre they keep their chips by winning the pot.
Dominated Hand
If two players hold a card of the same rank, the player with the better kicker is said to dominate their opponent. For e.g. If Player A holds Kc-As, they dominate Player B who holds Kd-Qd.
If two players hold a card of the same rank, the player with the better kicker is said to dominate their opponent. For e.g. If Player A holds Kc-As, they dominate Player B who holds Kd-Qd.
Donk Bet
The term used for a bet that is made into the aggressor from the prior street, instead of checking to them.
The term used for a bet that is made into the aggressor from the prior street, instead of checking to them.
Door Card
The first open card dealt in Stud poker games.
The first open card dealt in Stud poker games.
Downswing
A run of bad luck which can often make players start playing bad.
A run of bad luck which can often make players start playing bad.
Draw
A poker hand which needs additional cards to improve or complete.
A poker hand which needs additional cards to improve or complete.
Double Suited
Omaha starting hand that includes two times two cards of the same suit (for e.g. As-Kd-Jd-9s).
Omaha starting hand that includes two times two cards of the same suit (for e.g. As-Kd-Jd-9s).
E
Equity
The winning odds multiplied by the pot size. For e.g. if you have a winning chance of 40% and there is $10 in the pot, your equity is $4.
The winning odds multiplied by the pot size. For e.g. if you have a winning chance of 40% and there is $10 in the pot, your equity is $4.
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F
Feeler Bet
A small to medium sized bet to made to gauge your opponents reactions. Also known as a probe bet.
A small to medium sized bet to made to gauge your opponents reactions. Also known as a probe bet.
Final Table
The last table in a tournament, usually played nine or ten handed, and where the biggest cash prizes are paid.
The last table in a tournament, usually played nine or ten handed, and where the biggest cash prizes are paid.
Fish
A very bad or inexperienced poker player.
A very bad or inexperienced poker player.
Floorman
The floorman is a casino employee who mediates between players and solves disputes between them or the dealer. The floorman has more power than the dealer
The floorman is a casino employee who mediates between players and solves disputes between them or the dealer. The floorman has more power than the dealer
Texas Holdem Vocabulary
Flop
The first three community cards dealt in flop games like Hold’em or Omaha.
The first three community cards dealt in flop games like Hold’em or Omaha.
Flush
A combination of five cards of the same suit, for e.g. As-Qs-Ts-6s-3s.
A combination of five cards of the same suit, for e.g. As-Qs-Ts-6s-3s.
Flush Draw
When a player has a combination of four cards of the same suit, with only one more card of this suit missing to complete the flush.
When a player has a combination of four cards of the same suit, with only one more card of this suit missing to complete the flush.
Fold
To discard your cards and place them into the muck. A player who folds is no longer in the hand and can win no part of the pot.
To discard your cards and place them into the muck. A player who folds is no longer in the hand and can win no part of the pot.
Fold Equity
The probability that one or all players will fold behind you.
The probability that one or all players will fold behind you.
Four Bet (4B)
Re-raising. The initial wager is a bet, the first raise is the 2nd bet, a re-raise is the 3rd bet, and another re-raise is the 4th bet.
Re-raising. The initial wager is a bet, the first raise is the 2nd bet, a re-raise is the 3rd bet, and another re-raise is the 4th bet.
Free Play
Chance to see the next community cards without having to place a bet.
Chance to see the next community cards without having to place a bet.
Freeroll
(1) Chance to make profit without risk (for e.g. without having to invest money).
(2) A free-to-enter tournament with no buy-in.
(1) Chance to make profit without risk (for e.g. without having to invest money).
(2) A free-to-enter tournament with no buy-in.
Full House
A poker hand consisting of three of a kind and another pair.
A poker hand consisting of three of a kind and another pair.
Full Ring
A cash game table with nine or ten players. Opposite of shorthanded.
A cash game table with nine or ten players. Opposite of shorthanded.
G
Gutshot
An unfinished straight with an inside card needed to complete. For e.g. a player has Ah-2s and the board shows Td-4s-5c. In this case, a 3x would complete the straight.
An unfinished straight with an inside card needed to complete. For e.g. a player has Ah-2s and the board shows Td-4s-5c. In this case, a 3x would complete the straight.
H
Hand
(1) Part of the game in which cards are dealt, chips are bet and the pot is won. After that, the button is moved to the left in games like Texas Hold’em, and the next hand begins.
(2) The best five card combination made using the hole cards and the community cards.
(1) Part of the game in which cards are dealt, chips are bet and the pot is won. After that, the button is moved to the left in games like Texas Hold’em, and the next hand begins.
(2) The best five card combination made using the hole cards and the community cards.
Heads-up
A hand or game with only two players.
A hand or game with only two players.
High Card
The lowest poker hand, with less value than a pair.
The lowest poker hand, with less value than a pair.
High Roller
(1) A player who plays for high stakes.
(2) A tournament with a very high buy in.
(1) A player who plays for high stakes.
(2) A tournament with a very high buy in.
Hold’em
Short name for Texas Hold’em Poker.
Short name for Texas Hold’em Poker.
Hole Cards
The cards each player gets dealt face down in the beginning of a hand. Using these and the community cards, a player can assemble the best possible five card combination.
The cards each player gets dealt face down in the beginning of a hand. Using these and the community cards, a player can assemble the best possible five card combination.
I
Implied Odds
Calculation of odds in relation to the estimated final size of the pot. Consequently, expected profits will be added on to the odds. For e.g. you have an open-ended straight draw on the turn and get pot odds of 4,5:1. If you expect to hit and to gain another big bet on the river, you will have implied odds of 5,5:1.
Calculation of odds in relation to the estimated final size of the pot. Consequently, expected profits will be added on to the odds. For e.g. you have an open-ended straight draw on the turn and get pot odds of 4,5:1. If you expect to hit and to gain another big bet on the river, you will have implied odds of 5,5:1.
J
Jam
(slang) To bet or raise all in.
(slang) To bet or raise all in.
Back to top
K
Kicker
The side card one holds along with a pair. For e.g. if your hole cards are As-5s and the board shows 4c-5h-3c-Js-4h, you have two pair with an ace kicker. In such cases where two players hold the same hand rank, the higher kicker decides which player wins the hand.
The side card one holds along with a pair. For e.g. if your hole cards are As-5s and the board shows 4c-5h-3c-Js-4h, you have two pair with an ace kicker. In such cases where two players hold the same hand rank, the higher kicker decides which player wins the hand.
L
Lay-down
To fold your hand.
To fold your hand.
Limit
(1) Short for Fixed Limit”, which means that all minimum and maximum betting intervals are fixed at all times.
(2) The size of the blinds or the maximum buy-in which indicates the amount of money played for. Can also refer to No-Limit or Pot-Limit” games.
(1) Short for Fixed Limit”, which means that all minimum and maximum betting intervals are fixed at all times.
(2) The size of the blinds or the maximum buy-in which indicates the amount of money played for. Can also refer to No-Limit or Pot-Limit” games.
Limp/Limper
A preflop action in which the big blind is just called instead of raised
A preflop action in which the big blind is just called instead of raised
Live Cards
Refers to cards that haven’t been opened yet and are possibly still in the card deck.
Refers to cards that haven’t been opened yet and are possibly still in the card deck.
Low Card
A card that can form part of a qualifying low hand games like Stud Hi-Lo and Omaha Hi-Lo.
A card that can form part of a qualifying low hand games like Stud Hi-Lo and Omaha Hi-Lo.
M
Made Hand
A complete hand with very little potential for improvement.
A complete hand with very little potential for improvement.
Marginal Hand
A mediocre or medium strength holding. When referring to starting hole cards, a weak starting hand.
A mediocre or medium strength holding. When referring to starting hole cards, a weak starting hand.
Monotone
(1) Starting hand in Omaha, with all four cards of the same suit.
(2) A board where all cards are the same suit.
(1) Starting hand in Omaha, with all four cards of the same suit.
(2) A board where all cards are the same suit.
N
Nose bleeds
A reference to the highest stakes available. Also nose bleed stakes.
A reference to the highest stakes available. Also nose bleed stakes.
Nuts
The best possible hand in a given situation.
The best possible hand in a given situation.
O
Odds
A form of presenting probabilities. The probability of making a hand is set in relation to the probability of not making a hand. For e.g. if you win with a probability of 20%, you will lose with a probability of 80%. The odds are therefore 80:20 or 4:1.
A form of presenting probabilities. The probability of making a hand is set in relation to the probability of not making a hand. For e.g. if you win with a probability of 20%, you will lose with a probability of 80%. The odds are therefore 80:20 or 4:1.
Offsuit
Two cards of different suits.
Two cards of different suits.
Omaha
A poker game played with four hole cards. Two of the hole cards and three community cards must be used to form a hand. Apart from that, the rules of the game are identical to Texas Hold’em.
A poker game played with four hole cards. Two of the hole cards and three community cards must be used to form a hand. Apart from that, the rules of the game are identical to Texas Hold’em.
Open Pair
A pair lying openly on the board
A pair lying openly on the board
Option
The choice of the player in the big blind to either check or raise, providing there have been no raises before them.
The choice of the player in the big blind to either check or raise, providing there have been no raises before them.
Out of Position (OOP)
You are out of position when you are one of the first to act in a betting round.
You are out of position when you are one of the first to act in a betting round.
Overcard
A card higher than the highest card on the board. For example, when dealt on a board, the ace is an overcard but the ten is not.
A card higher than the highest card on the board. For example, when dealt on a board, the ace is an overcard but the ten is not.
Overpair
A pocket pair which is higher than all of the community cards on the board.
A pocket pair which is higher than all of the community cards on the board.
P
Pocket Cards
Two face down cards each player gets dealt in the beginning of a Texas Hold’em game. Also called Hole cards.
Two face down cards each player gets dealt in the beginning of a Texas Hold’em game. Also called Hole cards.
Pocket Pair
Two cards of the same rank, dealt as a starting hand.
Two cards of the same rank, dealt as a starting hand.
Poker Tracker
Software which tracks the hands you have played, enabling you to monitor your play and that of your opponents, and perform detailed analysis on your hands at a later time.
Software which tracks the hands you have played, enabling you to monitor your play and that of your opponents, and perform detailed analysis on your hands at a later time.
Position
Refers to a player’s seat in relation to the dealer. The further away you are from the dealer, the better your position is, because you will act later in each betting round – a big advantage that lets you evaluate your opponents’ betting patterns. The positions in detail:
Refers to a player’s seat in relation to the dealer. The further away you are from the dealer, the better your position is, because you will act later in each betting round – a big advantage that lets you evaluate your opponents’ betting patterns. The positions in detail:
• Blinds: The two players to the left of the dealer are called Small Blind and Big Blind. These are by far the worst positions in the game because you have to act first in any betting round except pre-flop and you are forced to put money in the pot before looking at your cards.
• Late position (LP): the dealer (usually called the ‘button’) and the ‘cut-off’ to the immediate right of the dealer are sitting in late position. This is the best position you can be in.
• Middle position (MP): the three players on the right hand side of the cut-off are in middle position.
• Early position (EP): the two players to the right of the middle position players are in early position. They act first pre-flop and after the blinds in all the other betting rounds. The first player to act pre-flop is often also called ‘under the gun’ (UTG).
• Late position (LP): the dealer (usually called the ‘button’) and the ‘cut-off’ to the immediate right of the dealer are sitting in late position. This is the best position you can be in.
• Middle position (MP): the three players on the right hand side of the cut-off are in middle position.
• Early position (EP): the two players to the right of the middle position players are in early position. They act first pre-flop and after the blinds in all the other betting rounds. The first player to act pre-flop is often also called ‘under the gun’ (UTG).
If there are fewer than nine players at the table, disregard early positions. If there are only five players for example, there are two blinds, two late position players and one person in middle position.
Pot-Limit
In a pot-Limit game, a player may only bet up to the size of the total pot when it’s their turn. The most popular Pot-Limit form of poker is Pot-Limit Omaha, but you can also play Hold’em and draw poker as Pot-Limit.
In a pot-Limit game, a player may only bet up to the size of the total pot when it’s their turn. The most popular Pot-Limit form of poker is Pot-Limit Omaha, but you can also play Hold’em and draw poker as Pot-Limit.
Pot Odds
The current amount of money in the pot compared to the amount you have to put into the pot to be able to continue playing. The greater the pot odds, the better.
The current amount of money in the pot compared to the amount you have to put into the pot to be able to continue playing. The greater the pot odds, the better.
Post-flop
Play on the flop and in subsequent betting rounds.
Play on the flop and in subsequent betting rounds.
Pre-flop
Play that takes place before the flop in flop games like hold’em or Omaha.
Play that takes place before the flop in flop games like hold’em or Omaha.
Probe Bet
A small to medium sized bet to made to gauge your opponents reactions. Also known as a feeler bet.
A small to medium sized bet to made to gauge your opponents reactions. Also known as a feeler bet.
Q | R
Quads
(slang) The hand rank of four of a kind.
(slang) The hand rank of four of a kind.
Rainbow
(1) Hold’em: A flop or turn is described as rainbow when all three or four cards are of different suits.
(2) Omaha: A starting hand consisting of cards with all four different suits.
(1) Hold’em: A flop or turn is described as rainbow when all three or four cards are of different suits.
(2) Omaha: A starting hand consisting of cards with all four different suits.
Raise
To increase the amount of the previous bet.
To increase the amount of the previous bet.
Rake
Money or percentage a poker room claims from each pot, or from the entry fee in a tournament.
Money or percentage a poker room claims from each pot, or from the entry fee in a tournament.
Range
All hands that an opponent might possibly hold at a certain point in time.
All hands that an opponent might possibly hold at a certain point in time.
Reverse Domination
In Hold’em, you are dominated if an opponent holds a card of the same rank as yours, but with a better kicker. If the dominated player then hits a pair with the lower kicker, it’s known as reversed domination.
In Hold’em, you are dominated if an opponent holds a card of the same rank as yours, but with a better kicker. If the dominated player then hits a pair with the lower kicker, it’s known as reversed domination.
Reverse Implied Odds
To calculate implied odds, potential profits are added to the pot. Reversed implied odds refer to how much a player expects to lose on later betting rounds. The loss is subtracted from the pot when calculating the odds.
To calculate implied odds, potential profits are added to the pot. Reversed implied odds refer to how much a player expects to lose on later betting rounds. The loss is subtracted from the pot when calculating the odds.
Rip
(slang) To bet or raise all in.
(slang) To bet or raise all in.
River
The fifth and last community card.
The fifth and last community card.
Royal Flush
The best possible hand in poker – an ace-high straight flush. For e.g. As-Ks-Qs-Js-Ts.
The best possible hand in poker – an ace-high straight flush. For e.g. As-Ks-Qs-Js-Ts.
Runner-Runner
An incomplete poker hand where additional cards are needed on both the turn and river to compete, e.g. if you hold two hearts and the flop contains one, you have a runner-runner draw to a heart flush.
An incomplete poker hand where additional cards are needed on both the turn and river to compete, e.g. if you hold two hearts and the flop contains one, you have a runner-runner draw to a heart flush.
Runner-up
The second place finisher in a tournament.
The second place finisher in a tournament.
S
Satellite
A tournament with a moderate buy-in, where the prize is a seat in a bigger tournament.
A tournament with a moderate buy-in, where the prize is a seat in a bigger tournament.
Seat
Seat at the table that a player gets assigned to.
Seat at the table that a player gets assigned to.
Second Barrel
A second bet on the turn after a flop bet. Correspondingly, a third barrel is a third bet on the river.
A second bet on the turn after a flop bet. Correspondingly, a third barrel is a third bet on the river.
Semi-bluff
A semi-bluff is a bet or a raise with a hand that is not the best, but has a reasonable chance of improving up to the river (for e.g. a flush draw). The goal is to make all opponents fold. If this doesn’t work out, there is still a chance of winning if the hand improves.
A semi-bluff is a bet or a raise with a hand that is not the best, but has a reasonable chance of improving up to the river (for e.g. a flush draw). The goal is to make all opponents fold. If this doesn’t work out, there is still a chance of winning if the hand improves.
Set
Three of a kind consisting of a pocket pair and one community card.
Three of a kind consisting of a pocket pair and one community card.
Shark
Very good player who makes some profit; opposite of fish
Very good player who makes some profit; opposite of fish
Shorthanded
Poker with only three to six players. Opposite of full ring.
Poker with only three to six players. Opposite of full ring.
Shortstack
A player with a small stack in a tournament.
A player with a small stack in a tournament.
Showdown
After all betting rounds have completed, all players remaining in the hand reveal their cards to see who has made the best five card poker hand to win the pot.
After all betting rounds have completed, all players remaining in the hand reveal their cards to see who has made the best five card poker hand to win the pot.
Texas Holdem Terms
Shove
To bet or raise all in.
To bet or raise all in.
Single-suited
Starting hand in Omaha. Two cards of the same suit, two cards of mixed suits (for e.g. Ah-Ad-Th-7s).
Starting hand in Omaha. Two cards of the same suit, two cards of mixed suits (for e.g. Ah-Ad-Th-7s).
Slow Play
When a player acts cautious despite having a very strong hand, the aim being to deceive their opponents about the true strength of their holding.
When a player acts cautious despite having a very strong hand, the aim being to deceive their opponents about the true strength of their holding.
Speculative Hand
A temporarily weak hand with potential to improve.
A temporarily weak hand with potential to improve.
Split Pot
A pot which gets split between two or more players who have cards of equal value.
A pot which gets split between two or more players who have cards of equal value.
Stack
Amount of chips or money a player can use at the table.
Amount of chips or money a player can use at the table.
Steam
To get annoyed about lost hands and play badly as a result. Also see Tilt.
To get annoyed about lost hands and play badly as a result. Also see Tilt.
Straight
Five cards in a row, for e.g. 9x-8x-7x-6x-5x.
Five cards in a row, for e.g. 9x-8x-7x-6x-5x.
Straight Draw
A card combination with one card missing to complete a straight. Also see Gutshot.
A card combination with one card missing to complete a straight. Also see Gutshot.
Straight Flush
A straight of one suit, for e.g. 9h-8h-7h-6h-5h.
A straight of one suit, for e.g. 9h-8h-7h-6h-5h.
Texas Holdem Vocabulary Terms Definitions
Street
Betting rounds, like the Flop, Turn and River.
Betting rounds, like the Flop, Turn and River.
Stud
Poker games in which players get dealt cards face up as well as face down. Seven Card Stud and Razz are popular examples.
Poker games in which players get dealt cards face up as well as face down. Seven Card Stud and Razz are popular examples.
Suck-out
When a player is lucky and beats a superior hand. Also see Bad Beat.
When a player is lucky and beats a superior hand. Also see Bad Beat.
Suit
Spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds.
Spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds.
Suited
Cards of the same suit (Spades, clubs, hearts or diamonds).
Cards of the same suit (Spades, clubs, hearts or diamonds).
T
Table Stake
The amount that a player can bet and bring to the table in a cash game.
The amount that a player can bet and bring to the table in a cash game.
Third Barrel
A bet on the river after having bet on the flop and turn.
A bet on the river after having bet on the flop and turn.
Three-Bet (3B)
A re-raise. The initial wager is a bet, the first raise is the 2nd bet, and a re-raise is the 3rd bet.
A re-raise. The initial wager is a bet, the first raise is the 2nd bet, and a re-raise is the 3rd bet.
Tight
To play very few hands only, and fold all weak or marginal hands.
To play very few hands only, and fold all weak or marginal hands.
Tilt
To respond badly to a bad beat or downswing by letting it have an adverse affect on your game.
To respond badly to a bad beat or downswing by letting it have an adverse affect on your game.
Trips
Three cards of the same rank, for e.g. Kh-ks-kc-7s-5c.
Three cards of the same rank, for e.g. Kh-ks-kc-7s-5c.
Turn
The fourth community card in flop games, also called fourth street.
The fourth community card in flop games, also called fourth street.
Texas Holdem Poker Terminology
Trash/Trash Hand
A very poor starting hand.
A very poor starting hand.
U
Underpair
A pocket pair which is lower than some or all of the community cards on the board. E.g. if you have QQ and the flop is K-7-3, you have an underpair to the K. With 22 you would have an underpair to the board.
A pocket pair which is lower than some or all of the community cards on the board. E.g. if you have QQ and the flop is K-7-3, you have an underpair to the K. With 22 you would have an underpair to the board.
Under the Gun
The name given to the player who acts first on the opening round of betting, left of the big blind. This is not an ideal position because you have to act very early.
The name given to the player who acts first on the opening round of betting, left of the big blind. This is not an ideal position because you have to act very early.
Upswing
A run of good luck, but not usually as a result of skillful play.
A run of good luck, but not usually as a result of skillful play.
W | X | Y | Z
Walk
A player is given a walk when all players fold preflop to them in the big blind, and they win the pot uncontested without having to act.
A player is given a walk when all players fold preflop to them in the big blind, and they win the pot uncontested without having to act.
Texas Holdem Terms Slang
Wheel
A straight with the lowest value (ace to five). It’s called the wheel because the ace is used as the lowest card in this situation.
A straight with the lowest value (ace to five). It’s called the wheel because the ace is used as the lowest card in this situation.
Texas Holdem Vocabulary Terms Examples
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