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Glossary of Poker Terms:
The following is a glossary of poker terms for
everybody's reference. It is (by no means..) complete. Please help
up us to update the list of terms and send us additional ones to
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pokerterms@pokerlilly.com
A
ace-to-five, ace-to-six
Methods of evaluating low hands.
act
To make a play (bet, call, raise, or fold) at
the required time. It is Ted's turn to act. Compare to "in turn".
action
A player's turn to act. The action is on you.
A willingness to gamble. I'll give you action
or There's plenty of action in this game.
A bet, along with all the calls of that bet.
For example, if one player makes a $5 bet and three other players
call, he is said to have $5 "in action", and to have received $15
worth of action on his bet. Usually this term comes into play when
figuring side pots when one or more players is all in.
action button
A marker similar to a kill button, on which a
player places an extra forced bet. In a seven-card stud high-low
game, the action button is awarded to the winner of a scoop pot
above a certain size, signifying that in the next pot, that player
will be required to post an amount representing a completion of the
bring-in to a full bet. For example, in a stud game with $2 and $4
betting limits and a $1 bring-in, a player with the action button
must post $2; after the cards are dealt, the player with the low
card must still pay the $1 bring-in, then when the betting reaches
the player who posted the $2, he is required to leave it in as a
raise of the bring-in (and has the option to raise further). Players
in between the bring-in and the action button can just call the
bring-in, but they know ahead of time that they will be raised by
the action button.
action card
In Texas hold'em or other community card
games, a card appearing on the board that causes significant betting
action because it helps two or more players. For example, an ace on
the flop when two players each hold an ace.
action only
In many cardrooms, with respect to an all-in
bet, only a full (or half) bet can be reraised. Anything less than a
full (or half) bet is considered to be action only, that is, other
players can call the bet but not raise it. For example, Alice bets
$100. Bob calls. Carol goes all in for $119. When the action returns
to Alice and Bob, they may only call the extra $19; they cannot
raise it. Carol's raise is called action only. Compare to "full bet
rule", "half bet rule".
active player
A player still involved in the pot. If there
are side pots, an all-in player may be active in some pots, but not
in others.
add-on
In a live game, to buy more chips before you
have busted. In tournament play, a single rebuy for which all
players are eligible regardless of their stack size. This is usually
allowed only once, at the end of the rebuy period. The add-on often
offers more chips per dollar invested than the buying and rebuys.
Compare with "rebuy".
advertising
To make an obvious play or expose cards in
such a way as to deliberately convey an impression to your opponents
about your style of play. For example, to make a bad play or bluff
to give the impression that you bluff frequently (hoping opponents
will then call your legitimate bets) or to show only good hands to
give the impression that you rarely bluff (hoping opponents will
then fold when you do).
air
In a lowball game, "giving air" is letting an
opponent who might otherwise fold know that you intend to draw one
or more cards to induce him to call.
all in
Having bet all of your chips in the current
hand.
angle
A technically legal, but borderline unethical,
play. For example, deliberately miscalling one's own hand to induce
a fold, or placing odd amounts of chips in the pot to confuse
opponents about whether you mean to call or raise. A player
employing such tactics is called an "angle shooter".
ante off
In tournament play, to force an absent player
to continue paying antes, blinds, bring-ins, or other forced bets so
that the contest remains fair to the other players. Go ahead and
take that phone call. We'll ante you off until you get back. Also
"blind off".
B
backdoor
A draw requiring two or more rounds to fill.
For example, catching two consecutive cards in two rounds of
seven-card stud or Texas hold 'em to fill a straight or flush.
A hand made other than the hand the player
intended to make. I started with four hearts hoping for a flush, but
I backdoored two more kings and my trips won.
back in
To enter a pot by checking and then calling
someone else's open on the first betting round. Usually used in
games like Jackpots, meaning to enter without openers.
back into
To win a pot with a hand that would have
folded to any bet. For example, two players enter a pot of draw
poker, both drawing to flushes. Both miss, and check after the draw.
The player with the ace-high draw "backs into" winning the pot
against the player with only a king-high draw. Also to make a
backdoor draw, for example, a player who starts a hand with three of
a kind, but makes a runner-runner flush, can be said to back into
the flush.
backraise
A reraise from a player that previously limped
in the same betting round. I decided to backraise with my pocket
eights to isolate the all-in player. Also limp-reraise.
bank
Also called the house, the person responsible
for distributing chips, keeping track of the buy-ins, and paying
winners at the end of the game.
bankroll
The amount of money that a player has to wager
for the duration of his or her poker career.
A very chip or money rich player.
behind
Not (currently) having the best hand. I'm
pretty sure my pair of jacks was behind Lou's kings, but I had other
outs, so I kept playing.
Describing money in play but not visible as
chips in front of a player. For example, a player may announce "I've
got $100 behind" while handing money to a casino employee, meaning
that he intends those chips to be in play as soon as they are
brought to him.
bet
Any money wagered during the play of a hand.
More specifically, the opening bet of a
betting round.
In a fixed limit game, the standard betting
amount. There were six bets in the pot when I called.
betting structure
The complete set of rules regarding forced
bets, limits, raise caps, and such for a particular game.
big bet game
A game played with a no limit or pot limit
betting structure.
blank
A card, frequently a community card, of no
apparent value. I suspected Margaret had a good draw, but the river
card was a blank, so I bet again. Compare to "rag", "brick", "bomb".
blaze
A Non-standard poker hand of five face cards
that outranks a flush.
blind
A type of forced bet.
In the "dark".
blind stud
A stud poker game in which all cards are dealt
face down. Was popular in California before legal rulings made
traditional stud legal there.
blind off, blinded
To "ante off".
To have one's stack reduced by paying ever
increasing blinds in tournaments. Ted had to make a move soon or he
would be blinded away in three more rounds.
blocker
In community card poker, refers to holding one
of the opponent's outs, typically when the board threatens a
straight or straight draw. The board was A23 but with my pair of
fives I held two blockers to the straight. Compare to "dry ace".
board
The set of community cards in a community card
game. If another spade hits the board, I'll have to fold.
The set of face-up cards of a particular
player in a stud game. Zack's board didn't look too scary, so I bet
into him again.
The set of all face-up cards in a stud game. I
started with a flush draw, but there were already four other
diamonds showing on the board, so I folded.
both ways
Both halves of a split pot, often declared by
a player who thinks he or she will win both low and high.
bottom end
The lowest of several possible straights,
especially in a community card game. For example, in Texas hold 'em
with the cards 5-6-7 on the board, a player holding 3-4 has the
bottom end straight, while a player holding 4-8 or 8-9 has a higher
straight. Also "idiot end".
bottom pair, bottom set
In a community card game, a pair (or set) made
by matching the lowest-ranking board card with one (or two) in one's
private hand. Compare second pair, top pair.
box
The chip tray in front of a house dealer, and
by extension, the house dealer's position at the table. You've been
in the box for an hour now; don't you get a break?
boxed card
A card encountered face-up in the assembled
deck during the deal, as opposed to one overturned in the act of
dealing. Most house rules treat a boxed card as if it didn't exist;
that is, it is placed aside and not used. Different rules cover
cards exposed during the deal.
break
In a draw poker game, to discard cards that
make a made hand in the hope of making a much better one. For
example, a player with J-J-10-9-8 may wish to break his pair of
jacks to draw for the straight, and a lowball player may break his
9-high 9-5-4-2-A to draw for the wheel. In a Jacks-or-better draw
game, a player breaking a high pair must keep the discarded card
aside, to prove he had openers.
To end a session of play. The game broke at
about 3:00.
During a tournament, an interval where play
ceases and the players are free to refresh or relieve themselves.
brick
A "blank", though more often used in the
derogatory sense of a card that is undesirable rather than merely
inconsequential, such as a card of high rank or one that makes a
pair in a low-hand game. Also known as a bomb. Compare to "rags".
brick & mortar
A brick & mortar or B&M casino is a term
referring to a "real" casino based in a building, as opposed to an
online casino. This term is used to refer to many real world
locations vs. their Internet counterparts. It is not just a poker
term.
bridge order
Poker is neutral about suits. A spade flush
and a club flush with all ranks matching is a tie. But in
determining the dealer at the start of a game, or in determining the
bringing bettor in a stud game, bridge rank rules: Spades beat
hearts beat diamonds beat clubs. It's convenient that this works out
to alphabetical order.
bring in
To open a betting round. Alice brought it in
for $4, and Bob raised to $10.
A forced bet in stud games. In the first
betting round, the holder of the worst (lowest or highest,
depending) upcard must post a bring in bet. The bring in bet is
typically a quarter to a third of a small bet. The bring in bettor
may look at his cards, and place a full bet if he deems it wise.
broadway
A 10 through ace straight.
brush
A casino employee whose job it is to greet
players entering the poker room, maintain the list of persons
waiting to play, announce open seats, and various other duties
(including brushing off tables to prepare them for new games, hence
the name).
To recruit players into a game. Dave is
brushing up some players for tonight's game.
bubble
The last finishing position in a poker
tournament before entering the payout structure. He was very
frustrated after getting eliminated on the bubble. Also can be
applied to other situations like if six players will make a
televised final table the player finishing seventh will go out on
the "TV bubble". Also used to describe any situation close to the
payout structure.
busted
Not complete, such as four cards to a straight
that never gets the fifth card to complete it.
Out of chips. To "bust out" is to lose all of
one's chips.
buy-in
The minimum required amount of chips that must
be "bought" to become involved in a game (or tournament). For
example, a $4-$8 fixed limit game might require a player to buy at
least $40 worth of chips. This is typically far less than an average
player would expect to play with for any amount of time, but large
enough that the player can play a number of hands without buying
more, so the game isn't slowed down by constant chip-buying.
buy short
To buy into a game for an amount smaller than
the normal buy-in. Some casinos allow this under certain
circumstances, such as after having lost a full buy-in, or if all
players agree to allow it.
buy the button
A rule originating in northern California
casinos in games played with blinds, in which a new player sitting
down with the button to his right (who would normally be required to
sit out a hand as the button passed him, then post to come in) may
choose to pay the amount of both blinds for this one hand (the
amount of the large blind playing as a live blind, and the amount of
the small blind as dead money), play this hand, and then receive the
button on the next hand as if he had been playing all along.
A tactic most often used by late-position
players: a raise to encourage the later and button players to fold,
thus giving the raiser last position in subsequent betting rounds.
buy the pot
Making a bet when no one else is betting so as
to force the other players to fold in order to win the pot
uncontested.
C
call the clock
A method of discouraging players from taking
an excessively long time to act. When someone calls the clock, the
player has a set amount of time in which to make up his mind; if he
fails to do so, his hand is immediately declared dead. In tournament
play, a common rule is that if a player takes too long and no one
calls the clock, the dealer or floor personnel will automatically do
so.
cap
A limit on the number of raises allowed in a
betting round. Typically three or four (in addition the opening
bet). In most casinos, the cap is removed if there are only two
players remaining either (1) at the beginning of the betting round,
or (2) at the time that what would have otherwise been the last
raise is made.
Also, term for the chip, token, or object
placed atop one's cards to show continued involvement with a hand.
cap game
Similar to "cap" above, but used to describe a
no-limit or pot limit game with a cap on the amount that a player
can bet during the course of a hand. Once the cap is reached, all
players remaining in the hand are considered all-in. For example, a
no limit game could have a betting cap of 30 times the big blind.[1]
case card
The last available card of a certain
description (typically a rank). The only way I can win is to catch
the case king., meaning the only king remaining in the deck.
cash plays
An announcement, usually by a dealer, that a
player requested to buy chips and can bet the cash he has on the
table in lieu of chips until he receives his chips.
casino,
online casino
the place where it all
happens. Online casinos are sophisticated websites, where casino
environment is simulated by means of software. Many online casinos
are extremely well designed and allow for an excellent look an feel
and a very realistic environment for the online casino players.
catch
To receive needed cards on a draw. I'm down
300--I can't catch anything today. or Joe caught his flush early,
but I caught the boat on seventh street to beat him. Often used with
an adjective to further specify, for example "catch perfect", "catch
inside", "catch smooth".
catch up
To successfully complete a draw, thus
defeating a player who previously had a better hand. I was sure I
had Alice beat, but she caught up when that spade fell.
catch perfect
To catch the only two possible cards that will
complete a hand and win the pot, usually those leading to a straight
flush. Usually used in Texas hold 'em. Compare with "runner-runner".
center pot
The main pot in a table stakes game where one
or more players are all in.
chase
To call a bet to see the next card when
holding a drawing hand when the pot odds do not merit it.
To continue to play a drawing hand over
multiple betting rounds, especially one unlikely to succeed. Bob
knew I made three nines on fourth street, but he chased that flush
draw all the way to the river.
To continue playing with a hand that is not
likely the best because one has already invested money in the pot.
check
To bet nothing.
check out
To fold, in turn, even though there is no bet
facing the player. In some games this is considered a breach of
etiquette equivalent to folding out of turn. In others it is
permitted, but frowned upon.
chip
See casino token.
chip declare
A method of declaring intent to play high or
low in a split-pot game with declaration.
chip dumping
A form of collusion that happens during
tournaments, especially in the early rounds. Two or more players
decide to go all-in early. The winner gets a large amount of chips,
which increases the player's chance of cashing. The winnings are
then split among the colluders.
chip leader
The player currently holding the most chips in
a tournament (or occasionally a live no limit game).
chip up
To exchange lower-denomination chips for
higher-denomination chips. In tournament play, the term means to
remove all the small chips from play by rounding up any odd small
chips to the nearest large denomination, rather than using a chip
race.
chop
To split a pot because of a tie, split-pot
game, or player agreement.
To play a game for a short time and cash out.
Also "hit and run".
A request made by a player to a dealer after
taking a large-denomination chip that he wishes the dealer to make
change.
To chop blinds
An agreement by all players remaining in a
tournament to distribute the remaining money in the prize pool
according to an agreed-upon formula instead of playing the
tournament to completion. Usually occurs at the final table of a
large tournament.
coffee housing
Talking in an attempt to mislead other players
about the strength of a hand. For example a player holding A-A as
their first two cards might say "lets gamble here", implying a much
weaker holding. Coffee housing is considered bad etiquette in the
UK, but not in the USA. This is also called speech play.
cold call
To call an amount that represents a sum of
bets or raises by more than one player. Alice opened for $10, Bob
raised another $20, and Carol cold called the $30. Compare to "flat
call", "overcall".
collusion
A form of cheating involving cooperation among
two or more players.
color change, color up
To exchange small-denomination chips for
larger ones.
combo, combination game
A casino table at which multiple forms of
poker are played in rotation.
come bet, on the come
A bet or raise made with a drawing hand,
building the pot in anticipation of filling the draw. Usually a weak
"gambler's" play, but occasionally correct with a very good draw and
large pot or as a semi-bluff.
completion
To raise a small bet up to the amount of what
would be a normal-sized bet. For example, in a $2/$4 stud game with
$1 bring-in, a player after the bring-in may raise it to $2,
completing what would otherwise be a sub-minimum bet up to the
normal minimum. Also in limit games, if one player raises all in for
less than the normally required minimum, a later player might
complete the raise to the normal minimum (depending on house rules).
connectors
Two or more cards of consecutive rank.
continuation bet
A bet made after the flop by the player who
took the lead in betting before the flop (Texas hold 'em and Omaha
hold 'em). Compare to "probe bet".
countdown
The act of counting the cards that remain in
the stub after all cards have been dealt, done by a dealer to ensure
that a complete deck is being used.
cow
A player with whom one is sharing a buy-in,
with the intent to split the result after play. To "go cow" is to
make such an arrangement.
cripple
In some community card games, to cripple the
deck means to have a hand that makes it virtually impossible for
anyone else to catch up to. For example, in Texas hold 'em, if your
hole cards are A-T and the flop is A-A-T you have "crippled the
deck" and it is unlikely you will make much money from it.
crying call
Calling when a player thinks he does not have
the best hand.
cut card
A distinctive card, usually stiff
solid-colored plastic, held against the bottom of the deck during
the deal to prevent observation of the bottom card.
cut-off
The seat immediately to the right of the
dealer button. In home games where the player on the button actually
shuffles and deals the cards, the player in the cut-off seat cuts
the deck (hence the name).
D
dark
Describing an action taken before receiving
information to which the player would normally be entitled. I'm
drawing three, and I check in the dark. Compare to "blind".
dead blind
A blind that is not "live", in that the player
posting it does not have the option to raise if other players just
call. Usually refers to a small blind posted by a player entering,
or returning to, a game (in a position other than the big blind)
that is posted in addition to a live blind equal to the big blind.
dead hand
A player's hand that is not entitled to
participate in the deal for some reason, such as having been fouled
by touching another player's cards, being found to contain the wrong
number of cards, being dealt to a player who did not make the
appropriate forced bets, etc.
deal
To distribute cards to players in accordance
with the rules of the game being played.
A single instance of a game of poker, begun by
shuffling the cards and ending with the award of a pot. Also called
a "hand" (though both terms are ambiguous).
An agreement to split tournament prize money
differently from the announced payouts.
deal twice
In a cash game, when two players are involved
in a large pot and one is all-in, they might agree to deal the
remaining cards twice. If one player wins both times he wins the
whole pot, but if both players win one hand they split the pot.
Also, "play twice".
dealer
The person dealing the cards. Give Alice the
cards, she's dealing.
The person who assumes that role for the
purposes of betting order in a game, even though someone else might
be physically dealing. Also "button". Compare to "buck".
dealer's choice
A version of poker in which the deal passes
each game and each dealer can choose, or invent, a new poker game
each hand or orbit.
declare
To verbally indicate an action or intention.
deuce
A 2-spot card. Also called a duck, quack, or
swan.
Any of various related uses of the number two,
such as a $2 limit game, a $2 chip, etc.
deuce-to-seven
A method of evaluating low hands.
dirty stack
A stack of chips apparently of a single
denomination, but with one or more chips of another. Usually the
result of inattention while stacking a pot, but may also be an
intentional deception.
discard
To take a previously dealt card out of play.
The set of all discards for a deal is called the "muck" or the
"deadwood".
dominated hand
A hand that is extremely unlikely to win
against another specific hand, even though it may not be a poor hand
in its own right. Most commonly used in Texas hold 'em. A hand like
A-Q, for example, is a good hand in general but is dominated by A-K,
because whenever the former makes a good hand, the latter is likely
to make a better one. A hand like 7-8 is a poor hand in general, but
is not dominated by A-K because it makes different kinds of hands.
door card
In a stud game, a player's first face-up card.
Patty paired her door card on fifth street and raised, so I put her
on trips.
In Texas hold 'em, the door card is the first
visible card of the flop.
In Draw poker, the sometimes visible card at
the bottom of a player's hand. Players will often deliberately
expose this card, especially at lowball.
double-ace flush
Under unconventional rules, a flush with one
or more wild cards in which they play as aces, even if an ace is
already present.
double-board, double-flop
Any of several community card game variants
(usually Texas hold 'em) in which two separate boards of community
cards are dealt simultaneously, with the pot split between the
winning hands using each board.
double-draw
Any of several Draw poker games in which the
draw phase and subsequent betting round are repeated twice.
double suited
Used to describe an Omaha hold 'em starting
hand where two pairs of suited cards are held. May be abbreviated
"ds" in written descriptions. AAJT (ds) is widely considered a
premium pot-limit Omaha hold 'em starting hand.
double through, double up
In a big bet game, to bet all of one's chips
on one hand against a single opponent (who has an equal or larger
stack) and win, thereby doubling your stack. I was losing a bit, but
then I doubled through Sarah to put me in good shape.
downcard
A card that is dealt facedown.
drag light
To pull chips away from the pot to indicate
that you don't have enough money to cover a bet. If you win, the
amount is ignored. If you lose, you must cover the amount from your
pocket. This is not allowed at any casino or any but the most casual
home games;
drawing dead
Playing a drawing hand that will lose even if
successful (a state of affairs usually only discovered after the
fact or in a tournament when two or more players are "all in" and
they show their cards). I caught the jack to make my straight, but
Rob had a full house all along, so I was drawing dead.
drawing live
Not drawing dead; that is, drawing to a hand
that will win if successful.
drawing thin
Not drawing completely dead, but chasing a
draw in the face of poor odds. Example: a player who will only win
by catching 1 or 2 specific cards is said to be drawing thin.
drop
To fold.
Money charged by the casino for providing its
services, often dropped through a slot in the table into a strong
box.
To drop ones cards to the felt to indicate
that one is in or out of a game.
dry ace
In Omaha hold 'em or Texas hold 'em, refers to
an ace in one's hand without another card of the same suit. Used
especially to describe the situation where the board presents a
flush possibility, when the player does not in fact have a flush,
but holding the ace presents some bluffing or semi-bluffing
opportunity. Compare to "blocker".
dry pot
A side pot with no money created when a player
goes all in and is called by more than one opponent, but not raised.
duplicate
To counterfeit, especially when the
counterfeiting card matches one already present in the one's hand.
E
eight or better
A common qualifier in High-low split games
that use Ace-5 ranking. Only hands where the highest card is an
eight or smaller can win the low portion of the pot.
equity
One's mathematical expected value from the
current deal, calculated by multiplying the amount of money in the
pot by one's probability of winning. For example, if the pot
currently contains $100, and you estimate that you have a one in
four chance of winning it, then your equity in the pot is $25. If a
split is possible, the equity also includes the probability of
winning a split times the size of that split; for example, if the
pot has $100, and you have a 1/4 chance of winning and a 1/5 chance
of taking a $50 split, your equity is $25 + $10 = $35.
expectation, expected value, EV
See expected value. Often used in poker to
mean "profitability in the long run".
exposed card
A card whose face has been deliberately or
accidentally revealed to players normally not entitled to that
information during the play of the game. Various games have
different rules about how to handle this irregularity. Compare to
"boxed card".
F
family pot
A deal in which every (or almost every) seated
player called the first opening bet.
fast
Aggressive play. I was afraid of too many
chasers, so I played my trips fast. Compare to "speeding".
feeder
In a casino setting, a second or third table
playing the same game as a "main" table, and from which players move
to the main game as players there leave. Also called a "must-move
table."
felt
The cloth covering of a poker table, whatever
the actual material. Metaphorically, the table itself: Doyle and I
have played across the felt.
fifth street
The last card dealt to the board in community
card games. Also "river".
The fifth card dealt to each player in stud
poker.
fill, fill up
To successfully draw to a hand that needs one
card to complete it, by getting the last card of a straight, flush,
or full house. Jerry made his flush when I was betting my kings up,
but I filled on seventh street to catch up.
final table
The last table in a multi-table poker
tournament. The final table is set when a sufficient amount of
people have been eliminated from the tournament leaving an exact
amount of players to occupy one table (typically no more than ten
players).
fish
An unskilled player who plays loosely and
passively, calling a lot of bets.
To risk money on a long-shot bet.
The action of calling bets on the flop and the
turn to make a hand on the river.
five of a kind
A hand possible only in games with wild cards,
or a game with more than one deck, defeating all other hands,
comprising five cards of equal rank.
flash
To show the bottom card of the deck while
shuffling.
To show one or more downcards from one's hand.
After everyone folded, Ted flashed his bluff to the other players.
flat call
A call, in a situation where one might be
expected to raise. Normally I raise with jacks, but with three
limpers ahead of me I decided to flat call. Also "smooth call".
Compare to "cold call", "overcall".
float
Calling a bet in order to take a pot down
later, kind of like a bluff slowplay or a bluff call. e.g. You call
suspected continuation bets on the flop in the hopes that the bettor
will give up his unimproved AK and check on the turn. You then bet
and hopefully take the pot away from the preflop aggressor. We are
floating over the other guys flop bet looking for an opportunity to
take the pot.
floorman, floorperson
A casino employee whose duties include
adjudicating player disputes, keeping games filled and balanced, and
managing dealers and other personnel. Players may shout "floor!" to
call for a floorperson to resolve a dispute, to ask for a table or
seat change, or to ask for some other casino service.
flop game
A community card game.
flush
A hand comprising five cards of the same suit.
fold equity
The extra value gained by forcing your
opponents to fold, rather than seeing the showdown. See also equity.
forced-move
In a casino where more than one table is
playing the same game with the same betting structure, one of the
tables may be designated the "main" table, and will be kept full by
requiring a player to move from one of the feeder tables to fill any
vacancies. Players will generally be informed that their table is a
"forced-move" table to be used in this way before they agree to play
there. Also "must-move".
forward motion
A house rule of some casinos states that if a
player in turn picks up chips from his stack and moves his hand
toward the pot ("forward motion with chips in hand"), this
constitutes a commitment to bet (or call), and the player may not
withdraw his hand to check or fold. Such a player still has the
choice of whether to call or raise. Compare to "string bet".
fouled hand
A hand that is ruled unplayable because of an
irregularity, such as being found with too many or two few cards,
having been mixed with cards of other players or the muck, having
fallen off the table, etc. Compare to "dead hand".
four-flush
Four cards of the same suit. A non-standard
poker hand in some games, an incomplete drawing hand in most.
four of a kind
A hand containing four cards of equal rank.
Also "quads". See rank of hands (poker).
four-straight
Four cards in rank sequence; either an
open-ender or one-ender. A non-standard poker hand in some games, an
incomplete drawing hand in most. Sometimes "four to a straight".
fourth street
The fourth card dealt to the board in
community card games. Also "turn".
The fourth card dealt to each player in stud.
free card
A card dealt to one's hand (or to the board of
community cards) after a betting round in which no player opened.
One is thereby being given a chance to improve one's hand without
having to pay anything. I wasn't sure my hand was good, but I bet so
I wouldn't give a free card to Bill's flush draw.
freezeout
The most common form of tournament. There's no
rebuy, play continues until one player has all the chips.
full, full boat, full hand, full house
A hand with three cards of one rank and two of
a second rank. Also "boat", "tight". See rank of hands (poker).
full bet rule
In some casinos, the rule that a player must
wager the full amount required in order for his action to constitute
a raise. For example, in a game with a $4 fixed limit, a player
facing an opening bet of $4 who wagers $7 is deemed to have flat
called, because $8 is required to raise. Compare to "half bet rule".
See Public cardroom rules (poker) and "All in" betting.
G
gap hand
In Texas hold 'em, a gap hand is a starting
hand with at least one rank separating the two cards. Usually
referred to in context of one-gap and two-gap hands.
going south
To sneak a portion of your chips from the
table while the game is underway. Normally prohibited in public card
rooms. Also "ratholing".
grinder
A player who earns a living by making small
profits over a long period of consistent, conservative play. Compare
to "rock".
guts, guts to open
A game with no opening hand requirement; that
is, where the only requirement to open the betting is "guts", or
courage.
Any of several poker variants where pots
accumulate over several hands until a single player wins.
gypsy
To enter the pot cheaply by just calling the
blind rather than raising. Also "limp".
H
half bet rule
In some casinos, the rule that placing chips
equal to or greater than half the normal bet amount beyond the
amount required to call constitutes a commitment to raise the normal
amount. For example, in a game with a $4 fixed limit, a player
facing a $4 opening bet who places $6 in the pot is deemed to have
raised, and must complete his bet to $8. Compare to "full bet rule".
handhistory, hand history
The textual representation of a hand (or
hands) played in an Internet cardroom. See Poker tools.
hanger
Dealing from the bottom of the deck
head up, heads up
Playing against a single opponent. After Lori
folded, Frank and I were heads up for the rest of the hand.
high, high hand
The best hand using traditional poker hand
values, as opposed to lowball. Used especially in high-low split
games.
high card
A no pair hand, ranked according to its
highest-ranking cards.
To defeat another player by virtue of
high-ranking cards, especially kickers.
To randomly select a player for some purpose
by having each draw one card, the highest of which is selected (for
example, to decide who deals first). When all the players get here,
we'll high card for the button. Often high card by suit is used for
this purpose.
hijack seat
The seat to the right of the cut-off seat, or
second to the right of the button.
hole, hole cards
Face-down cards. Also "pocket cards". I think
Willy has two more queens in the hole.
A seat, often preceded by a number relative to
the button. Sara opened from the 2-hole.
hole cam
a camera that displays a player's face-down
cards ("hole cards") to television viewers. Also "pocket cam".
home game
A game played at a private venue (usually the
home of one of the players), as opposed to a casino or public
cardroom.
horse
A player financially backed by someone else. I
lost today, but Larry was my horse in the stud game, and he won
big.
I
idiot end
In flop games, a player drawing to, or even
flopping, a straight with undercards to the flop has the idiot end
of it. A player with 8-9 betting on a flop of A-T-J puts himself at
great risk, because many of the cards that complete his straight
give credible opponents higher ones.
improve
To achieve a better hand than one currently
holds by adding or exchanging cards as provided in the rules of the
game being played. I didn't think Paula was bluffing, so I decided
not to call unless I improved on the draw.
inside straight
See inside straight draw. Also "belly buster",
"gutshot". Compare to outside straight draw.
insurance
A "business" deal in which players agree to
split or reduce a pot (roughly in proportion to the chances of each
of them winning) with more cards to come rather than playing out the
hand, or else a deal where one player makes a side bet against
himself with a third party to hedge against a large loss.
in the middle
In a game with multiple blinds, an incoming
player may sometimes be allowed to post the blinds "in the middle"
(that is, out of their normal order) rather than having to wait for
them to pass.
A player being whipsawed is said to be "in the
middle".
in the money
To place high enough in a poker tournament to
get prize money. Also "ITM".
in turn
A player, or an action, is said to be in turn
if that player is expected to act next under the rules. Jerry said
"check" while he was in turn, so he's not allowed to raise.
irregular declaration
An action taken by a player in turn that is
not a straightforward declaration of intent, but that is reasonably
interpreted as an action by other players, such as pointing a thumb
up to signify "raise". House rules or dealer discretion may
determine when such actions are meaningful and/or binding.
irregularity
Any of a number of abnormal conditions in
play, such as unexpectedly exposed cards, that may call for
corrective action. See Public cardroom rules (poker).
J
jackpot
A game of "jackpot poker" or "jackpots", which
is a variant of five-card draw with an ante from each player, no
blinds, and an opening requirement of a pair of jacks or better.
A large pool of money collected by the house
and awarded for some rare occurrence, typically a bad beat.
joker
A 53rd card used mostly in draw games. The
joker may usually be used as an Ace, or a card to complete a
straight or flush, in high games, and as the lowest card not already
present in a hand at low. See bug. A joker may give a player a great
many outs.
juice
Money collected by the house. Also "vig",
"vigorish". See Rake (poker).
K
kitty
A pool of money built by collecting small
amounts from certain pots, often used to buy refreshments, cards,
and so on. The home-game equivalent of a rake.
-L
laydown
A tough choice to fold a good hand in
anticipation of superior opposition.
lead
The player who makes the last bet or raise in
a round of betting is said to have the lead at the start of the next
round. Can also be used as a verb meaning to bet out into the pot,
"to lead into the pot."
leg-up (also, leg-up button)
The button used to signify who has won the
previous hand in a kill game. Winning a pot in a "2 consecutive
pots" kill game with the leg-up button in front of you, results in a
kill.
limit
The minimum or maximum amount of a bet.
limp, limp in
To enter a pot by simply calling instead of
raising.
limp-reraise
A reraise from a player that previously limped
in the same betting round. I decided to limp-reraise with my pocket
eights to isolate the all-in player. Also backraise.
live bet
A bet posted by a player under conditions that
give him the option to raise even if no other player raises first;
typically because it was posted as a blind or straddle, or to enter
a new game.
live cards
In stud poker games, cards that will improve
your hand that have not been seen among anyone's upcards, and are
therefore presumably still available. In games such as Texas hold
'em, a player's hand is said to contain "live" cards if matching
either of them on the board would give that player the lead over his
opponent. Typically used to describe a hand that is weak, but not
dominated.
live game
A game with a lot of action, usually including
many unskilled players, especially maniacs.
lock up
To "lock up" a seat in a cash game means to
place a poker chip, player's card, or other personal effect on the
table in front of the seat, to signify that the seat is occupied
even though the player may not be present.
low
The lowest card by rank.
The low half of the pot in a high-low split.
M
match the pot
To put in an amount equal to all the chips in
the pot.
micro-limit
Internet poker games with stakes so small that
real cardrooms couldn't possibly profit from them, are said to be at
the "micro-limit" level (e.g. 25˘-50˘).
misdeal
A deal which is ruined for some reason and
must be redealt.
move in
In a no-limit game, to "move in" or to "go all
in" means to bet one's entire stake on the hand in play.
muck
To fold.
To discard one's hand without revealing the
cards. Often done after winning without a showdown or at a showdown
when a better hand has already been revealed.
The discard pile "There were only a couple of
cards in the muck"
multi-way pot
A pot where several players compete for it.
Also known as a family pot.
-- N
-- O
offsuit
Cards that are not of the same suit. The ace
of clubs and the king of spades are called ace-king offsuit
one-chip rule
A call of a previous bet using a chip of
higher denomination than necessary is considered a call unless it is
verbally announced as a raise.
open
To bet first.
open ended, open ended straight draw
An outside straight draw. Also "two-way
straight draw".
openers
The cards held by a player in a game of
"jackpots" entitling him to open the pot. "Splitting openers" refers
to holding onto one of your openers after discarding it to prove you
had the necessary cards to open should you win the pot.
open limp
Being the first person in the pot preflop, but
not raising.
option
An optional bet or draw, such as getting an
extra card facedown for 50 cents or raising on the big blind when
checked all the way around.
The right to raise possessed by the big blind
if there have been no raises.
overcall
To call a bet after others have called, esp.
big bets. Jim bet, Alice called, then Ted overcalled. Compare to
"cold call", "flat call", "smooth call".
overcard
A community card with a higher rank than a
player's pocket pair.
A higher card. Ted held two overcards to
Jill's pair with two cards to come.
overpair
In community card games such as Texas hold 'em
and Omaha hold 'em, a pocket pair with a higher rank than any
community card.
overs
An option to increase the stakes in limit
games. Players may elect to play or not play overs; those who choose
to play display some sort of token. If, at the beginning of a
betting round after the first, only overs players remain in the
hand, bets of twice the present limit are allowed. Most often used
in home games as a compromise between aggressive and meek players.
-- P
passive
A style of play characterized by checking and
calling. Compare to "aggressive", "loose", "tight".
pat
Already complete. A hand is a pat hand when,
for example, a flush comes on the first five cards dealt in Draw
poker.
pay off
To call a bet when you are most likely drawing
dead because the pot odds justify the call.
penny ante
Frivolous, low stakes, or "for fun" only; A
game where no significant stake is likely to change hands.
perfect
The best possible cards, in a lowball hand,
after those already named. For example, 7-perfect would be
7-4-3-2-A, and 8-6-perfect would be 8-6-3-2-A.
pick-up
When the house picks up cash from the dealer
after a player buys chips.
play the board
In games such as Texas hold 'em, where 5
community cards are dealt, if your best hand is on the board and you
go to the showdown you are said to "play the board".
pocket cards
See "hole cards".
pocket pair
In community card poker or stud poker, when
two of a player's private cards make a pair. Also "wired pair".
poker face
A blank expression that does not reveal
anything about the cards being held. Often used outside the world of
poker.
poker download
downloading the software
necessary to play online poker from an individual poker side. Such
poker download has to be repeated for each new site someone wants to
play on.
position bet
A bet that is made more due to the strength of
the bettor's position than the strength of the bettor's cards.
post
To make the required small or big blind bet in
Texas hold 'em or other games played with blinds rather than antes
post dead
To post a bet amount equal to the small and
the big blind combined (the amount of the large blind playing as a
live blind, and the amount of the small blind as dead money). In
games played with blinds, a player who steps away from the table and
misses his turn for the blinds must either post dead or wait for the
big blind to re-enter the game. Compare to "dead blind".
pre-flop
On flop games refers to the time when players
already have their pocket cards but no flop has been dealt yet. It's
also the first round of bets.
probe bet
A bet after the flop by a player who did not
take the lead in betting before the flop (and when the player that
did take the lead in betting before the flop declined to act).
Compare to "continuation bet".
proposition player, prop
A player that gets paid an hourly rate to
start poker games or to help them stay active. Prop players play
with their own money, which distinguishes them from shills, who play
with the casino's money.
put on
To put someone on a hand is to deduce what
hand they have based on their actions and your knowledge of their
gameplay. See also tells.
-- Q
quads
Four of a kind.
qualifier, qualifying low
A qualifying low hand. High-low split games
often require a minimum hand value, such as 8-high, in order to
award the low half of the pot. In some home games, there are
qualifiers for high hands as well: "Seven stud, trips-eight".
quarter
To win a quarter of a pot, usually by tying
the low or high hand of a high-low split game. Generally, this is an
unwanted outcome, as a player is often putting in a third of the pot
in the hope of winning a quarter of the pot back.
-- R
rabbit hunt
After a hand is over, a rabbit hunt means to
reveal the last card that would have come up in a community card
game with a fixed number of cards. Such activity is usually
prohibited in casinos. Also "fox hunt".
rack
1. A collection of 100 chips of the same
denomination, usually arranged in 5 stacks in a plastic tray.
2. A plastic tray used for storing a rack of
chips.
rag
A low-valued (and presumably worthless) card.
I don't like playing ace-rag from that position. Also "ragged": The
flop was pretty ragged, so I figured my queens were good.
rail
The rail is the sideline at a poker table -
the (often imaginary) rail separating spectators from the field of
play. Watching from the rail means watching a poker game as a
spectator. People on the rail are sometimes called railbirds. "Going
to the rail" usually means "Losing all one's money".
rainbow
Three or four cards of different suits,
especially said of a flop.
rakeback
Rebate/repayment to a player of a portion of
the rake paid by that player, normally from a non-cardroom,
third-party source such as an affiliate. Rakeback is paid in many
ways by online poker rooms, affiliates or brick and mortar rooms.
Many use direct money payments for online poker play. Brick and
Mortar rooms usually use rate cards to track and pay their rakeback.
rathole
To remove a portion of your chips from the
table while the game is underway. Normally prohibited in public card
rooms. Also "going south".
rebuy
An amount of chips purchased after the buy-in.
In some tournaments, players are allowed to rebuy chips one or more
times for a limited period after the start of the game, providing
that their stack is at or under its initial level. Compare with
"add-on".
redeal
To deal a hand again, possibly after a
misdeal.
redraw
To make one hand and have a draw for a better
hand. Ted made a straight on the turn with a redraw for a flush on
the river..
Second or later draws in a draw game with
multiple draws.
represent
To represent a hand is to play as if you hold
it (whether you actually hold it or are bluffing).
reraise
Raise after one has been raised. Also coming
"over the top".
rock
A very tight player (plays very few hands and
only continues with strong hands).
A bundle of chips held together with a rubber
band, or other token signifying an obligatory live straddle. If the
player under the gun has the rock, he must use it to post a live
straddle. The winner of the pot collects the rock and is obligated
to use it in turn.
rolled-up trips
In seven-card stud, three of a kind dealt in
the first three cards.
rounder
An expert player who travels around to seek
out high-stakes games
royal cards
Royal card are also known as face cards. These
cards consist of the Jack, Queen, and King of any suit.
runner-runner
A hand made by hitting two consecutive cards
on the turn and river. Also "backdoor". Compare to "bad beat" and
"suck out".
rush
A prolonged winning streak. A player who has
won several big pots recently is said to be on a rush. Also
"heater".
-- S
satellite
A tournament in which the prize is a free
entrance to another (larger) tournament.
scare card
A card dealt face up (either to a player in a
game such as stud or to the board in a community card game) that
appears to create a strong hand for someone. The Jack of spades on
the turn was a scare card because it put both flush and straight
possibilities on the board.
scoop
In high-low split games, to win both the high
and the low half of the pot.
second pair
In community card poker games, a pair of cards
of the second-top rank on the board. Compare bottom pair, top pair.
sell
In spread limit poker, to sell a hand is to
bet less than the maximum with a strong hand, in the hope that more
of your opponents will call the bet.
semi-bluff
When a player bluffs on one round of betting
with an inferior or drawing hand that might improve in a later
round.
set
Three of a kind, esp. the situation where two
of the cards are concealed in the player's hole cards. Compare to
"trips".
set-up
A deck that has been ordered, usually King to
Ace by suit (spades, hearts, clubs and diamonds). In casinos, it is
customary to use a set-up deck when introducing a new deck to the
table. The set-up is spread face up for the players to demonstrate
that all of the cards are present before the first shuffle. Also
called to "spade the deck".
sevens rule
A rule in many A-5 lowball games that requires
a player with a seven-low or better after the draw to bet, rather
than check or check-raise. In some venues a violator loses any
future interest in the pot; in others he forfeits his interest
entirely.
shark
A professional player.
shoe
A slanted container used to hold the cards yet
to be dealt, usually used by casinos or in professional poker
tournaments.
shootout
A poker tournament format where the last
remaining player of a table goes on to play the remaining players of
other tables. Each table plays independently of the others; that is,
there is no balancing as players are eliminated. This format is
particularly common in European televised poker programs, including
Late Night Poker.
short buy
In no-limit poker, to buy in to a game for
considerably less money than the stated maximum buyin, or less than
other players at the table have in play.
short stack
A stack of chips that is relatively small for
the stakes being played.
shorthanded
A poker game that is played with around six
players or less, as opposed to a full ring game, which is usually
nine or ten players.
side pot
A separate pot created to deal with the
situation of one player going "all in". See table stakes.
sit and go
A poker tournament with no scheduled starting
time that starts whenever the necessary players have put up their
money. Single-table sit-and-goes, with nine or ten players, are the
norm, but multi-table games are common as well. Also called sit n'
gos and a variety of other similar spellings.
slow roll
To delay or avoid showing one's hand at
showdown, forcing other players to expose their hands first. When
done while holding a good hand likely to be the winner, it is
considered poor etiquette, because it often gives other players
"false hope" that their hands might win before the slow-roller's is
exposed.
snow
To play a worthless hand misleadingly in draw
poker in order to bluff.
The worthless hand in question.
soft-play
To intentionally go easy on a player (e.g. not
betting or raising against him when you usually would).
splash the pot
To throw one's chips in the pot in a
disorderly fashion. Not typically allowed, because the dealer can't
tell how much has been bet.
split two pair
In community card poker, a two pair hand, with
each pair made of one of your hole cards, and one community card.
spread
The range between a table's minimum and
maximum bets.
spread-limit
A form of limit poker where the bets and
raises can be between a minimum and maximum value. The spread may
change between rounds.
stack
The total chips and currency that a player has
in play at a given moment.
A collection of 20 poker chips of the same
denomination, usually arranged in an orderly column.
stakes
The definition of the amount one buys in for
and can bet. For example, a "low stakes" game might be a $10 buy-in
with a $1 maximum raise.
stand pat
In draw poker, playing the original hand using
no draws, either as a bluff or in the belief it is the best hand.
stop and go
Stop and go or stop 'n' go is when a player
bets into another player who has previously raised or otherwise
shown aggression. Example: On the flop, Bill bets into Tom, Tom
raises, and Bill just calls. On the turn, Bill bets into Tom again.
Bill has just pulled a stop 'n' go play.
Another version of the "stop and go" is in
tournament poker when a player raises pre-flop with the intention of
going all in after the flop regardless of the cards that fall. This
is typically done when the blinds are high and every chip becomes
vital.
straight
Poker hand: see straight.
When used with an amount, indicates that the
speaker is referring to the total bet, versus the amount being
raised. Alice bets twenty. Bob raises to fifty straight. Also
"altogether" or "all day".
strategy card
A wallet sized card that is commonly used to
help with poker strategies in online and casino games.
string bet
A call with one motion and a later raise with
another, or a reach for more chips without stating the intended
amount. String bets are prohibited in public cardroom rules. Compare
to "forward motion". A player can (and should) defend himself
against string bet complaints by declaring his intention before
moving any chips. Note that the "I call, and raise..." cliche is a
string bet.
structured
A structured betting system is one where the
spread of the bets may change from round to round.
stud
A variant of poker.
A card dealt face up in Stud poker.
suited
Having the same suit.
super satellite
A multi-table poker tournament in which the
prize is a free entrance to a satellite tournament or a tournament
in which all the top finishers gain entrance to a larger tournament.
-- T
tell
A tell in poker is a detectable change in a
player's behavior or demeanor that gives clues to that player's
assessment of his hand. A player gains an advantage if he observes
and understands the meaning of another player's tell, particularly
if the tell is unconscious and reliable. Sometimes a player may fake
a tell, hoping to induce his opponents to make poor judgments in
response to the false tell.
third man walking
A player who gets up from his seat in a cash
game, after two other players are already away from the table, is
referred to as the "third man walking". In a casino with a "third
man walking rule", this player may be required to return to his seat
within 10 minutes, or one rotation of the deal around the table, or
else his seat in the game will be forfeited if there is a waiting
list for the game.
three bet, three betting, 3-bet, 3bet
To be the first player to put in a third unit
of betting. For example, if Bob opens for $10, and Mary raises to
make the bet $20, if Ted also raises to make the bet $30, this is to
"three bet".
three pair
In a seven card game, such as seven-card stud
or Texas hold 'em, it is possible for a player to have 3 pairs,
although a player can only play two of them as part of a standard
5-card poker hand. This situation may jokingly be referred to as a
player having a hand of three pair. Note that in Omaha hold 'em, it
is possible to "have" 4 pair in the same manner.
to go
A term used to describe the amount that a
player is required to call in order to stay in the hand, "Alice was
deciding whether to call now it was $50 to go."
toke
In a brick and mortar casino, a toke is a
"tip" given to the dealer by the winner of the pot. Tokes often
represent a large percentage of a dealer's income.
top kicker
In community card poker games, top kicker is
the best possible kicker to some given hand. Usually it would be an
Ace, but with an Ace on the board it would be a King or lower.
Having "top pair, top kicker" is frequently enough to win a Texas
hold 'em hand.
top pair
In community card poker games, top pair is a
pair comprising a pocket card and the highest ranking card on the
board. Compare second pair, bottom pair.
top two
A split two pair, matching the highest-ranking
two flop cards.
trey
A 3-spot
card. Casino personnel refer to the 3♣
as the "trey of clubs".
trips
When one of a players hole cards in Texas hold
'em connects with two cards on the board to make three of a kind.
This differs from a set where three of a kind is made when a pocket
pair connects with one card on the flop to make three of a kind.
Three of a kind. Compare to "set"
-- U
under the gun
The playing position to the direct left of the
blinds in Texas hold 'em or Omaha hold 'em. The player who is under
the gun must act first on the first round of betting.
underdog
An underdog or dog is a player with a smaller
chance to win than another specified player. Frequently used when
the exact odds are expressed. Harry might have been bluffing, but if
he really had the king, my hand was a 4-to-1 dog, so I folded.
up
When used with a card rank to describe a poker
hand, refers to two pair with the named card being the higher pair.
For example, a hand of QQ885 might be called "queens up".
up the ante
Increase the stake. Also commonly used outside
the context of poker.
-- V
value bet
A bet made by a player who wants it to be
called (as opposed to a bluff or protection bet). This is typically
because he has a superior hand that he expects to win at showdown,
or a very good draw for which he can increase his pot equity by more
than the amount of his bet.
-- W
wake up
To "wake up with a hand" means to discover a
strong starting hand, often when there has already been action in
front of the player.
walk
A walk is the situation where all players fold
to the big blind.
wash
To mix the deck by spreading the cards face
down on the table and mixing them up. A dealer may wash the deck
before shuffling.
weak ace
An ace with a low kicker (e.g. four). Also
"small ace," "soft ace," "ace-rag."
wheel
A 5-high straight (A-2-3-4-5), with the Ace
playing low. See wheel.
In deuce-to-seven lowball, the nut low hand
(2-3-4-5-7).
wild card
See wild card (poker). Compare to bug (poker).
window card
An upcard in stud poker. The first window card
in stud is called the "door card". In Texas hold'em and Omaha, the
window card is the first card shown when the dealer puts out the
three cards for the flop.
wrap
In Omaha hold'em, an open ended straight draw
comprising two board cards and three or four cards from a player's
hand. A player holding 345A with the board 67K has a "wrap", as any
3, 4, or 5, or 8 will make a straight. A hand of 4589 would also be
a wrap draw, but would often be referred to as a "big wrap" because
it has twenty outs rather than thirteen, and is not at the idiot
end.
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