Glossary of Poker Terms – Poker Slang & Meanings

Poker has hundreds and hundreds of terms for players to learn. Some are used in every game, while others are rarely heard but are ultra-important. The thing is, a poker term might open up players to a whole new concept – so they are valuable.

Whether your game is Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, or even niche types of poker you’ll need a good understanding of the phrases, slang, and words that players use. Here is our definitive poker glossary, which could be an invaluable resource for you no matter what stage you’re at on your poker journey. Reference it whenever you’re unsure what a poker term means.

After learning terms, our library of Poker Strategy can take your skills to the next level.

# (Numbered Terms)

3-Bet
A 3-bet in poker happens when there is a bet from one player, a raise, and a re-raise. The first bet was made, then the raise was the 2nd bet, and the re-raise was the 3rd bet, also know as the 3-bet.

3-Max
In poker, a 3-max game has a maximum of three players, like a Spin and Go event.

4-Bet
In poker, a 4-bet happens when there is a bet, a raise, re-raise, and another re-raise. The first bet was made, then the raise was the 2nd bet, and the re-raise was the 3rd bet, and the following raise was the 4-bet.

5-Bet
In poker, a 5-bet happens when there is a bet (the 1-bet), a raise (the 2-bet), re-raise (the 3-bet), another re-raise (the 4-bet), and another re-raise (the 5-bet).

6+ Hold’em
In some places, 6+ is written instead of Short Deck, a variant of Texas Hold’em where the 2, 3, 4, and 5 cards are removed. The cards from 6 and up are kept (including the Ace), giving this game the nickname 6+.

6-Handed
A 6-handed poker game has six players participating, meaning six hands are being used.

6-Max
6-Max is another way of saying 6-handed, or that there are six players in a poker game. 

9-Handed
A 6-handed poker game has nine players participating, meaning nine hands are being used.

9-Max
9-Max is another way of saying 9-handed, or that there are nine players in a poker game.

A.

A-Game
A-Game means playing at your best, staying fully focused, and avoiding any distractions during the game. It involves making optimal decisions and maintaining a strong mental state.

Aces
The name “Aces” means a hand containing two Aces, for example, an Ace of Clubs and an Ace of Diamonds. 

Add-On
In tournament poker, an add-on is an opportunity for players to purchase additional chips at a designated point, usually during a break, regardless of their current chip stack.

Aggressive
The term “aggressive” in poker is used to describe players who bet and raise more than average players.

All In
When a player bets all of their remaining chips into the pot during a hand, they are considered ‘All In.’

American Airlines
The term American Airlines is a slang name for Pocket Aces. The AA of the cards is the same as the abbreviation of the American Airlines brand. 

Angling
An angle, or angling in poker, is an act made by a player than intends to manipulate other players. For example, a player pretending to fold so that they can see the reaction of their opponent. Angling comes in many forms, but always includes a non-standard action that is intended to produce a reaction from another player.

Ante
An ante in poker is an additional bet that is made preflop in certain poker games. All players make this bet and it is usually small. Antes are common in poker tournaments and less common in cash games.

B.

B&M
B&M stands for brick and mortar, referring to traditional, physical poker rooms. These establishments offer live poker games as opposed to online platforms

Bad Beat
A bad beat occurs when a player with a strong hand loses to an opponent who had a much weaker hand initially but hits a winning combination due to lucky draws.

Bankroll
Referring to the total amount of money that a player has set aside and allocated specifically for playing poker, ‘bankroll’ includes funds earmarked for buying into cash games, tournaments, or any other forms of poker play.

Barrel
Barreling in poker, or to barrel, means betting on the flop and continuing to bet on the turn and/or river. 

BB
BB is an abbreviation for Big Blind or sometimes Big Blinds. The first use denotes a position and the second use denotes a number of chips. For example:
– I was seated in the BB position for the last hand. (position at the table)
– I have over 120 BB in my stack. (number of chips)

Belly Buster
A belly buster is another name for the “gutshot,” a straight draw in poker. In this draw, a player needs a single card to complete their straight. For example, the player holds a 5 and 6, with a flop of 8-9-K, meaning a 7 will complete their belly buster straight draw.

Big Blind
The Big Blind is the position two seats to the left of the dealer. Every time the dealer gives fresh cards to all players and begins a new hand, the Big Blind must put out a mandatory bet. The big blind pays a single Big Blind bet, so if the stakes are $1/$2, the Big Blind pays $2 and the small Blind (one position left of the dealer) pays $1 at the same time.

Binding
Some actions at the table are binding, meaning that once you do the action, it must be completed. For example, verbally announcing “Call” in a poker game is a binding action. If you say “Call” when you face a bet, you are bound to calling the bet and cannot choose any other action.

Blank
A blank card in poker is a community card that does not appear to help either player and generally does not appear to affect the play of the hand. A blank card in a poker game is not a card with no image or graphics on it. 

Blind Bet
A blind bet is a bet that a player makes early, before a round of the poker game has started. For example, when the preflop round ends, but the flop cards have not been put on the table yet, a player could make a blind bet. This bet will remain on the table to start the next betting round and can not be taken back.

Blind Check
A blind check is a check that a player makes early, before the next betting round has started. For example, as the preflop round is ending, a player would announce “Check” or “Check blind” and they would automatically have to check when the flop round starts.

Blind Defense
In poker, blind defense is the act of calling or raising, while sitting in either the Small Blind or Big Blind position. Knowing when to defend blinds or fold is an important aspect of all poker games.

Blinded Out
In a poker tournament, a player who sits out will lose chips by paying the blinds with each rotation. If they lose all of their blinds this way, bit by bit, this is known as “blinding out” or being “blinded out.”

Block Bet
A block bet is a bet that is made to stop an opponent from betting. Block bets are usually made on the turn or river, when some players would rather make a small block bet, rather than face a possibly larger bet by their opponent.

Blocker
A blocker in poker is a card that a player holds, making it impossible for opponents to have the same card. This helps poker players understand what possible hands their opponents could have.

Bomb Pot
A bomb pot in poker starts with every player making pre-determined mandatory bets, receiving their hole cards and going straight to the flop. There is no preflop action in a bomb pot. Every player at the table enters the hand and the action begins with the small blind player on the flop.

Brick 
A brick in poker is a community card which does not appear to influence the action and is unlikely to affect any player’s strategies in the hand. The term brick is interchangeable with “blank.”

Bubble
A poker bubble is a point in the tournament where players start to receive prizes for their rank. Inside of the bubble, players will receive prizes for ranking, but outside of the bubble, players will not receive any compensation for their rank. Being eliminated “on the bubble” means that a player was one rank away from collecting a prize, but was eliminated without winning any prize.

Bubble Boy
The bubble boy is an affectionate poker term for the player who is eliminated from a poker tournament before receiving a paid rank. For example, if there are 10 players left in a tournament, but only 9 will receive prizes, the 10th player to be eliminated is the bubble boy.

Burn Card
Before the three flop cards are dealt, the top card of the deck is placed face down on the table. This also happens before the turn card is dealt and before the river card is dealt. This is used as a method to ensure fair dealing.

Bust
A bust in poker is when a player loses all of their chips in a tournament or cash game. In a tournament, this is known as “busting” from the event. 

C.

C-Bet (Continuation Bet)
A c-bet is a bet on the flop made by the player who raised preflop. It is known as a continuation bet because it is the continuation of aggression from the preflop stage. 

Call
To call means to match the current bet or raise made by another player. When you decide to call, you are agreeing to put in the same amount of chips as the previous bettor to continue playing the hand. This action keeps you in the round without raising the stakes further.

Call Down
A call down in poker means that one player continues to call bets all the way to the river. Calling down usually refers to a player making calls with a mid-strength or low-strength poker hand, despite multiple bets from their opponent.

Call Off
To call off in poker means to call a bet, usually of a larger size. For example, one player chooses to go all-in and another player decides to “call off.”

Calling Station
A “calling station” refers to a player who frequently calls bets and raises rather than folding or raising themselves. Calling stations are known for being passive and reluctant to fold their hands, even when facing significant aggression from opponents. They tend to call bets with a wide range of hands, often hoping to catch cards on later streets rather than making aggressive moves themselves.

Cap
A cap in poker refers to a player cap (a maximum number of entries to a tournament or individual table) or a rake cap (the maximum a game operator can take as commission from each hand).

Capped Range
A capped range in poker means that the strength of a player’s possible combinations has a limit. Experienced players decide their opponent’s range is capped based on actions during a poker hand.

Card Protector
A card protector is a small item that players put on top of their hole cards in live poker games. The items used range from metal poker chips, paperweights, toy figurines, and many other objects.

Card Removal
In poker, card removal is the act of using exposed cards for information. By using the cards that are known to use, we can remove cards from the possible hands our opponent has. 

Check-Check
If two players in a hand decide to check during a betting round, this action is described as “check-check.”

Centroll
A centroll is a tournament that has a one cent entry fee. 

Check Blind
To check blind is to check early, before the next betting round has started. For example, as the preflop round is ending, a player would announce “Check” or “Check blind” and they would automatically have to check when the flop round starts.

Check-Call
A check-call refers to a player making a check, facing a bet from an opponent, and making a call.

Check Dark
To check dark (same as check blind) is to check early, before the next betting round has started. For example, as the preflop round is ending, a player would announce “Check dark” or “Check in the dark” and they would automatically have to check when the flop round starts.

Chip
A chip in poker, or a poker chip, is the token used in games to measure value. These chips make it easy to bet, receive winnings, and exchange for real currency. 

Chip Leader
The chip leader is whoever has the most chips accumulated at a cash game table or a tournament table. The player with the most chips in the entire tournament field is also called the chip leader.

Chip Stack
A chip stack in poker is a pile of poker chips. Players will typically divide these into piles of each denomination. 

Chop
A chop in poker happens when players have hands of the same strength and cause a tie to occur. The pot is chopped (divided equally among the winning players). This can also be called a chop pot.

Click-Back
A click back is a small raise in poker, often done quickly. Clicking it back to your opponent means that you have raised them and clicked the action back to them (referencing clicking an online poker raise button).

Coin Flip
A coin flip refers to a situation where two hands have nearly equal chances of winning, often seen when one player has a pocket pair and the other has two overcards. For example, Player A has pocket Queens (QQ) and Player B has Ace-King (AK).

Cold Call
A cold call in poker typically describes one player calling a re-raise, without having raised or showing aggression previously. 

Cold Deck
A cold deck in poker is a deck that appears to make very weak combinations for a player or multiple players. 

Color Up
Getting a “color up” or “coloring up” in poker means exchanging lower denomination chips for larger denomination chips. For example, a player might color up a stack of $1 chips in exchange for a single $25 chip. 

Combinations
A combination in poker contains 5 cards which form a ranked hand. Players use the cards they hold and also the community cards on the table to make these combinations, which vary in strength and are used to decide the winners in poker games.

Combos
The term “combos” refers to the possible hands that players could have. For example, for a hand like pocket Aces, a player could have six combos, A♠A♥, A♠A♦, A♠A♣, A♥A♦, A♥A♣, and A♦A♣.

Connected Board
A connected board refers to the community cards, meaning that they offer many different combinations. For example, a board like 10♥ Q♥ 8♣ 7♥ J♣, which could offer players ways to make multiple straights and flushes.

Connector
A connector in poker means two cards that are in sequence. For example, 6♥7♦, 10♠J♥, and 3♥4♠ are all connectors. 

Covered
In poker, if one player has more chips than another player, they “cover” that player. This means that the player who has the other “covered” can put that players full stack at risk, while the player with fewer chips can not do the same.

D.

Dead Money
Dead Money refers to chips or money in the pot contributed by players who are no longer active in the hand. This typically occurs when players fold their hands during the betting rounds. Dead money increases the size of the pot without any active competition for it, potentially influencing strategic decisions for remaining players still in the hand. It’s advantageous to be aware of dead money as it can affect the perceived value of continuing in the hand versus folding.

Dead Hand
A dead hand is no longer involved in the rounds of a poker game. For example, when a player folds their hand, it is considered a dead hand. Some players can also have a dead hand if they run out of time in online or live poker games. When a hand is dead, it is essentially folded.

Deal
To ‘deal’ refers to the process of distributing cards to players at the beginning of a hand, which includes shuffling the deck and then giving each player their initial hand of cards, either face down or face up, depending on the game variant. A deal could also be an arrangement between players. 

Dealer Button
The dealer button is the most advantageous position in poker, located to the right of the small blind position. This position is always marked by the dealer button, which is usually white. 

Dealt In
When a player first sits down at the table and starts playing, they will be “dealt in” and recieve their hole cards. The dealer will also deal in the other players at the same time. 

Dealt Out
Being dealt out in poker means that you have stood up from the table and will.not be participating in the next hand. Players may be dealt out to take a break, to serve a penalty, or other reasons. 

Deck
A ‘deck’ refers to the standard set of 52 playing cards used in the game. The deck is divided into four suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades), each containing 13 ranks (Ace, 2 through 10, Jack, Queen, and King).

Deep Stack
A deep stack means that a player has a lot of chips relative to the blind level. For example, if a player has 20,000 chips and the blind level is just 10/20, the player has a deep stack of 1,000 big blinds.

Deuces
The term deuces in poker refers to have Pocket Twos, for example, 2♥2♦ or 2♠2♥.

Donkey
A donkey is a derogatory poker term for a player that is deemed to play poorly and make ill-advised decisions.

Ducks
The term “Ducks” is a term to describe Pocket Twos, for example, 2♥2♦ or 2♠2♥. 

Draw
A draw in poker is an incomplete combination that needs other cards to become a complete combination. When a player is “drawing,” they are continuing in the poker hand and hoping to complete their combination.

Drawmaha
The poker game Drawmaha is a variation of Omaha. The main difference in a Drawmaha game is that it is a split pot game with the opportunity to draw cards, which regular Omaha does not have.

E.

Early Position
When referring to the seating positions at the table where players act first in each round of betting. Typically, these positions include the players seated immediately to the left of the big blind and the players to their left. Acting early in a betting round can be disadvantageous because these players must make decisions without having information about how other players will act. 

Early Stage
The early stage term in poker refers to the beginning period of a poker tournament, shortly after the game has started and before many players have been eliminated from the tournament.

Entry Fee
In poker tournaments, the entry fee is the amount of money a player must pay to participate, which typically includes the buy-in, contributing to the prize pool, and an additional fee, which goes to the organizers for hosting the event.

Equity
Your equity in poker is the percentage of the pot that your hand would win, if play was to stop at that moment. Equity can change as the poker hand progresses through the stages and is an indicator of your chance of winning the hand.

Euro Pitch
The Euro Pitch is a style of shuffling where only the top card is touched when players are receiving their cards. The top card is slid off the deck and onto the table, rather than being thrown through the air to the player.

Expected Value
Expected value (EV) is a calculation used to determine the average amount of money a player can expect to win or lose from a particular action over the long run. It takes into account all possible outcomes, their probabilities, and the corresponding payouts. A positive EV indicates a profitable decision, while a negative EV suggests a losing proposition.

Exposed Card
An exposed card in poker is a card that was not meant to be revealed, but was shown to one or more players. This can sometimes happen when a player folds in a live poker game and accidentally flips their card over, instead of keeping it exposed.

F.

Facecard
A face card is a card from the deck that features a face, specifically the King, Queen, or Jack of any suit.

Face Up
Face up in poker can refer to cards being shown with their faces up on the table. It can also be used to describe a player who is very obvious and plays their hand “face up,” meaning that other players can guess their hand strength.

Fading
In poker, fading cards means avoiding cards that help you opponent and hurt the strength of your combination. For example, if you opponent needs to see a diamond card to complete their flush, you are hoping to “fade” diamonds. 

Family Pot
A family pot in poker refers to a situation where many players decide to call the initial bet or raise, resulting in a larger than usual number of players seeing the flop together.

Favorite
A favorite in poker is the player who has a higher chance to win a specific hand or a higher chance to win in an overall game. For example, a player can be a 80% favorite to win after they go all in during a round of poker. A player can also be a favorite in a poker tournament, meaning that people believe this player has a strong chance of winning.

Fish
A “fish” is a term used to describe an inexperienced or poor player who is often prone to making mistakes and losing money. Fish are characterized by their lack of strategic understanding, tendency to call too often, and inability to fold weak hands. They are typically targeted by more skilled players, who seek to exploit their predictable and flawed play. The presence of fish at a table can significantly increase the profitability for more experienced players.

Fixed Limit (FL)
In poker, Fixed Limit is a betting structure that makes bets set at certain sizes.

Flight
A flight in poker is a tournament where players can choose to start on different levels, for example, they might start on the first day of the event or choose the second day with different blind levels.

Flip
A flip in poker is an all-in situation where two players have hands of similar hand strengths and either one could win.

Floor
The floor is a shortened name for the floor manager in a casino or poker hall. This person supervises the games and makes rulings when the dealer is not able to.

Flop
The flop is the name for the three cards placed face up during the betting round after the preflop betting round. The flop cards are the first three community cards players get to see in a hand of poker.

Flopped It
When a hand is “flopped” it means that a player has made a strong hand combination immediately on the flop. For example, if you hold A♦ 5♦ and the flop is 10♦ 9♦ 3♦, you flopped it (you flopped the nut Diamond flush).

Four to a Straight
In poker, four to a straight means that there are four community cards that create almost a complete straight combination, but need one card. For example, a board of 5-6-7-8-A is a four to a straight board. 

Four to a Flush
In poker, four to a flush, sometimes shortened to “four flush,” means that the community cards have four cards of the same suit. In this situation, a player with one card that matches the suit of the four community cards can make a flush. 

Freebuy
A freebuy is a poker tournament where entry is completely free, but rebuying into the event has a small fee.

Freeroll
A freeroll is a type of poker tournament with no entry fee. It will not cost players any money to join a freeroll.

G.

GG
‘GG’ stands for ‘Good Game.’ It is said as a gesture of sportsmanship to acknowledge a well-played game, often used when a player is eliminated or when a game concludes, showing respect and courtesy to fellow players.

Gutshot (Gutshot Straight Draw)
If you have 7-8 in your hand, and the flop comes down as 4-5-Q, you have a Gutshot Straight Draw because you need a 6 (any 6) to complete your straight. So, if a 6 comes on the turn or river, you would make a straight with 6-7-8-9-10.

H.

Hand
A hand refers to the set of cards a player holds during a round of play, which they use to form the best possible combination according to the game’s rules, as well as the sequence of play from the initial deal to the showdown or fold.

Hand History
In poker, hand history is the record of the games a player has been involved in. Players can refer to their hand history to see the outcomes of specific hands.

Hand Replayer
A hand replayer displays the history of hands that a poker player has been involved in. It is usually a feature of the poker application and allows you to cycle through all of your played hands.

Heads Up (HU)
A situation where only two players are involved in a hand. Some games are also Heads-Up and only allow two players to sit at a table.

Heads-Up Display (HUD)
A heads-up display shows information at an online poker table. The date is built by using the hands the HUD user has been involved in and recording it in a database for later analysis.

Hero
When a player describes a past hand to another player, they often refer to themselves as the Hero and their opponent as the Villian. 

Hero Call
A hero call happens when a player makes a difficult call with a hand of below-average strength (relative to the situation). 

Hyper-Turbo
A hyper-turbo poker tournament has a blind structure that increases rapidly, even faster than a turbo event.

I.

Image
Your ‘image’ refers to how other players perceive your style of play based on your actions at the table. This perception influences how opponents react to your bets and decisions. Players can strategically adjust their image by varying their play to exploit these perceptions, such as appearing tight and then bluffing, or playing aggressively to intimidate opponents. Managing your image effectively is crucial for gaining an edge in poker.

Implied Odds
Implied Odds in refers to the potential profit a player expects to gain on future betting rounds if they make their hand. It considers not just the current pot odds but also estimates of additional chips that could be won if opponents continue to bet.

In Position
Being in position in poker means that a player acts after other players. This gives an information advantage as the in position player can see other players act first and educate their decision.

Insta-Call
An insta-call in poker is a call that is made nearly-instantly, within seconds, showing that it was an easy decision for the player who called.

Isolate
In poker, isolating means making a re-raise or a raise to target a specific player – keeping them in the hand and making others fold. In other words, you have isolated yourself and one opponent.

J.

Jack
A ‘Jack’ refers to one of the face cards in the deck, specifically the card with the rank of eleven. It is represented by the letter ‘J’ and is part of the standard deck of 52 cards used in most poker variants.

Jake
A slang term for a the Jack card.

K.

Keep Them Honest
The term ‘keep them honest’ refers to making bets or raises with a medium-strength hand to prevent opponents from bluffing or exploiting the uncertainty of your hand. By betting or raising in this manner, you aim to discourage opponents from attempting to steal the pot with weaker hands or bluffs, thereby ensuring they have to have a strong enough hand to continue in the hand. This strategy helps to maintain control of the betting and avoid being exploited by aggressive or deceptive opponents.

Kicker
A kicker refers to a card used to break ties between hands of the same rank. For example, if two players both have a pair of Aces, but one player has an Ace-King and the other has an Ace-Queen, the player with the Ace-King has the higher kicker (King versus Queen), and therefore wins the hand. Kickers are only considered when players have hands of the same rank (such as pairs, three of a kind, etc.)

Kicker Problems
Kicker problems are a term players use to describe a situation in which one player has a slightly worse kicker than another. The player with the worse kicker has “kicker problems.”

King
The King is the second highest ranking card in poker, ranked 13th. Its position in the deck sequence is after the Queen and before the Ace. 

L.

LAG
‘LAG’ stands for ‘Loose-Aggressive.’ It describes a playing style characterized by playing a wide range of hands (loose) and betting or raising frequently (aggressive). LAG players are known for being active in many pots, often entering with marginal or speculative hands and using aggressive tactics such as bluffing and continuation betting to pressure opponents and win pots. This style can be effective in putting opponents on the defensive but also carries the risk of losing chips quickly if not executed carefully.

Late Registration
In poker tournaments, there is often a period where players can register after the tournament has begun. Late registration periods last for a set amount of time. 

Late Stage
Late stage in a poker tournament is the time period close to the point where players start to receive prizes for being eliminated. At this point, most of the player pool in the tournament have already been eliminated and competition intensifies.

Levels
In poker tournaments, the blinds increase in specific levels. For example, a tournament may start at a 1/2 blind level, then move to a higher level like 2/4, and then 4/8, and so on.

Leveling
In poker, leveling is the psychological dynamic between two players. It refers to the level that players are thinking on. 

Limit
A limit can refer to betting rules, for example Pot Limit Omaha, where players can only bet as large as the pot. 

Limp
To limp means to call the minimum bet required to stay in the hand, rather than raising or folding. For example, if the big blind is $2 and a player chooses to limp, they would call $2 to see the flop without raising the bet.

Limp-Call
A limp call means that player has limped (called the big blind amount preflop) and then called when they faced a raise from another player.

Limp-Raise
A limp raise means that a player has limped (called the big blind amount preflop) and then made a raise when they faced a raise from their opponent.

Loose
When a player is loose in poker, they generally like to get involved with a wide range of cards and are not strict with managing their chips.

M.

Maximum Deposit
When players make deposits to online poker sites, the maximum deposit is the largest possible amount they can add to their account.

Maximum Withdrawal
When players make withdrawals from online poker sites, the maximum withdrawal is the largest possible amount they can take from their account balance.

Min-Bet
A min-bet is the smallest bet it is possible to make in a poker game. At a game of $1$2, the min bet would be $2. 

Min Cash
In poker, a min cash means that a player received the minimum amount for placing in the tournament. This means that they were eliminated in the first prize bracket, which is usually slightly more than the buy-in amount.

Min-Raise
The min-raise is the smallest possible raise it is possible to make. If a player bets $2 in a $1/$2 game, a player who wants to raise must put in $4 (the original bet, plus the amount of the original bet).

Minimum Defense Frequency (MDF)
MDF or minimum defense frequency is poker concept that helps players decide how often they will call bets against other players.

Minimum Deposit
When players make deposits to online poker sites, the minimum deposit is the smallest possible amount they can add to their account.

Minimum Withdrawal
When players make withdrawals from online poker sites, the minimum withdrawal is the smallest possible amount they can take from their account balance.

Mis-Deal
A mis-deal happens when a dealer makes an error which will negatively affect the rest of the hand. In this case, the dealer will usually take all of the cards back and re-shuffle, then start a new hand.

Misplay
A misplay happens when a player makes an error playing their hand, usually strategic. 

Mis-Read
A mis-read happens when a player or dealer mistakes on card for another. Commonly, the 4 cards can be mis-read as an Ace.

Monster
Typically, a monster hand is one that is at the top of the hand ranking hierarchy for a particular situation or game variant. For example, in Texas Hold’em, a monster hand might be a set (three of a kind) or better, such as a straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, or a straight flush. Having a monster hand usually puts the player in a commanding position in the hand and often leads to winning significant pots.

Move In
When a poker player moves in, it usually means that they have gone all-in and put all of their chips in play.

Muck
To muck refers to the act of discarding your hand without showing it at showdown. Players typically muck their hands when they fold or when they lose a hand and do not wish to reveal their cards to their opponents.

N.

New-Breed Player
Modern, tech-savvy players who typically learned the ins and outs of poker on online platforms. Unlike traditional, old-school players, who rely more on intuitive reads, the new generation brings a mathematically driven approach to the felt, incorporating GTO strategy into their decision making. They are difficult and tricky opponents. 

Nit
The ultimate penny-pincher of the poker world. Nits play extremely tight, rarely venturing into pots without premium holdings. While their predictability can be exploited, extracting value from them when they do decide to play can be a chore.

Nit-roll
A nit-roll in poker is like a slow-roll, except without any maliciousness or humor. A nit-roll happens when a player is very tight and careful, which makes them spend a long time thinking about a call that most players would consider an easy call. 

NLH
The acronym NLH stands for No Limit Hold’em, a variety of Texas Hold’em with no limit on bet sizes.

No Limit
Poker without a safety net. In No Limit games, players can bet their entire stack at any time, leading to heart-pounding all-in moments. It’s a format that rewards aggression and nerves of steel, but one wrong move can send you chipless to the rail.

No-Look All In
A no-look all-in happens when a player moves all of their chips into the pot, without looking at any of their hole cards first.

Nursing
The art of survival in tournament poker. When your chip stack dwindles, conserving chips becomes crucial as you seek the opportune moment to try to double up. Mastering this skill can turn you from a short stack to a contender.

Nut Flush
The best possible flush available. On a flush-heavy board, this is the hand you dream of having. However, beware of paired boards that could lead to a full house.

Nut Flush Draw (NFD)
You have four cards to the best possible flush, meaning you only need one more card to complete your flush.

Nuts
The best possible hand at any given moment. Having the nuts is exhilarating, but don’t let it cloud your judgment. Remember, in poker, today’s nuts can become tomorrow’s second-best hand with the turn of a card.

Nutted Hand
A nutted hand in poker is a hand that has made the strongest possible combination. For example, A♦ 5♦ is a nutted hand on a flop of 10♦ 9♦ 3♦ because it makes the strongest possible flush (the nut flush).

O.

Odds
The mathematical probability of completing your hand, and the backbone of poker decision-making. Understanding odds isn’t just about knowing your chances of improving; it’s about weighing those chances against the potential reward. A solid grasp of odds will inform every decision you make at the table.

Offsuit
Two cards of different suits. Generally less valuable than suited cards of the same rank, but still playable in the right situations.

Omaha
A community card game similar to Hold’em, but with four hole cards. Remember, you must use exactly two of your hole cards plus three community cards. This rule leads to wild swings and intense action.

On the Button
The poker player’s favorite position. Acting last post-flop gives you a massive informational advantage. From here, you can make steals, bluffs, and value bets with precision. Master button play, and you’ll master the game.

On Tilt
The poker player’s worst enemy – when emotions override logic. It might start with a bad beat, but it ends with bad decisions. Recognizing tilt in yourself is crucial; in others, it’s an opportunity. Take a break if you feel it creeping in, or exploit it mercilessly in your opponents.

One Chip Rule
A seemingly simple rule that’s caught many players out. Unless you verbally declare a raise, that single large chip you tossed in is just a call. It’s a rule designed to prevent angle shooting, but it can trip up those who aren’t paying attention. Always verbalize your intentions to avoid costly mistakes. This rule only applies in live games, since chip movements are done automatically online.

One-Gapper
Two cards with one rank between them, like 7-9. They can make straights but are less valuable than connectors.

One-Outer
The longest of long shots in poker. When you’re down to a single out, you’re looking at roughly 2% equity. The odds are stacked against you, but oh, the stories you’ll have when that one perfect card hits!

One-Way Straight
A straight that can only be made one way, typically on the low end. With only four outs instead of eight, it’s less valuable than an open-ended draw.

Open
Making the first bet in a round. Often refers to raising first pre-flop. Opening, especially from early position, signals strength and sets the tone for the hand. On the other hand, a well-timed open from late position can be a powerful move to steal the blinds.

Open Game
A game anyone can join. Most cash games are open games.

Open Limp
Merely calling the big blind when first to act pre-flop. Generally considered a weak play, although it can be used as a trap with very strong hands. 

Open-Ended Straight Draw
A favorite among drawing hands. With eight outs, you’re looking at about a 32% chance of hitting a straight by the river. 

Open-Raise
An open raise happens when a player makes the first raise during the preflop stage of a poker game.

Opener
The player who kicks off the betting action. Being the opener allows you to set the pace of the hand and represent a strong range. However, it also puts you at risk of being three-bet, so choose your opening hands wisely.

Option
A special privilege reserved for the big blind. Even if everyone else has just called, you can still raise when the action gets back to you. Don’t forget this powerful tool; it’s a great way to punish limpers and steal pots.

Out of Line
Poker’s equivalent of a social faux pas. Acting out of turn or breaking etiquette can disrupt the game and anger other players. Not only is it poor sportsmanship, but it can also lead to penalties. Always be aware of whose turn it is to act.

Outdraw
The sweet (or bitter) turn of fortune in poker. Outdraws occur when a player makes a better hand than an opponent who was ahead earlier. When you’re on the winning side, try not to gloat; when you’re on the losing side, remember it’s part of the game.

Out-Kicked
When you are out-kicked, it means that you had the same pair as another player, but their unpaired card (their kicker) was better than yours.

Outs
Cards that can improve your hand to a winner. Knowing your outs is fundamental to calculating your odds of improvement. 

Over-Fold
An over-fold is a situation or a fold that is done too often. It is considered a strategic flaw that can be exploited by experienced players.

Over the Top
A power move that shows significant strength. It’s a great way to build a pot with a monster hand or to push out drawing hands.

Overbet
A bet that’s larger than the pot, used to apply maximum pressure. Overbets can be incredibly effective, especially on scary boards. However, they’re a high-risk, high-reward play. 

Overcards
Hole cards higher in rank than the community cards that haven’t paired the board – yet. While they’re not a made hand, overcards have potential. They can lead to strong top pair hands on later streets.

Overlay
The tournament player’s dream scenario. When the prize pool exceeds the buy-ins, you’re essentially getting free equity. Always be on the lookout for overlays, especially in guaranteed tournaments that haven’t met their quota.

Overplay
When a player overplays, it means that they have overestimated the strength of their hand. An overplay happens when a player thinks that their hand is stronger than their opponents, but in fact, it is not.

Overpair
A pocket pair higher than any community card on the board.

P.

Paint
Face cards – Jacks, Queens, and Kings. While they command respect and often dominate the flop, don’t forget their vulnerability to the almighty Ace.

Pair
Two cards of the same rank. From pocket pairs to those caught on the flop, pairs form the foundation of most winning hands. However, their strength can vary wildly depending on the board texture and your opponents’ ranges.

Pass
Sometimes, the best play is to live to fight another day. Folding might feel like admitting defeat, but it’s often the wisest move to preserve your chip stack. Remember, you don’t have to play every hand to win at poker.

Passive
A playing style focused on calling rather than betting or raising. While calling rather than betting can sometimes trap aggressive opponents, it generally cedes control of the hand. Beware – skilled players will exploit this tendency mercilessly if they detect it.

Pay Off
The moment of truth on the river. Calling when you suspect you’re beaten isn’t always a mistake – sometimes, the pot odds justify it. However, frequent river calls against strong players can be a fast track to emptying your chip stack.

Pay Station
A player who just can’t find the fold button. While they’re a dream come true when you’re holding the nuts, be careful – even a broken clock is right twice a day. These players can occasionally catch you off guard with a surprise strong hand.

Peel
Calling a bet, often with a drawing hand, in order to see one more community card. It’s a delicate balance between pot odds and implied odds. Used carefully, peeling can lead to big pots when you hit your draw.

Picked Off
The walk of shame for a failed bluff. It happens to everyone, even the pros. The key is to learn from it without letting it tilt you. Remember, a well-timed bluff that gets through can make up for several that get caught.

Picture Card
Another term for face cards.

PKO
The acronym PKO stands for Progressive Knock Out tournament.

Play Back
To raise or re-raise another player’s bet. Raising or re-raising an opponent’s bet shows strength and can win pots without showdown.

Play Behind
Playing with money not yet on the table but in plain view. Not allowed in all games, so check the house rules.

Play Fast
To play aggressively, betting and raising frequently. Can be used to put pressure on your opponents, but don’t overdo it. 

Play the Board
When the community cards are the best you’ve got. In these situations, the pot is usually split among all players still in the hand. 

PLO
The acronym PLO stands for Pot Limit Omaha.

Pocket
Your private cards that only you can see. Protect them at all times.

Pocket Pair
Being dealt two cards of the same rank. While always nice to see, be cautious not to overvalue small pairs.

Pocket Rockets
The best starting hand in Hold’em, a pair of aces in the hole.

Poker Face
Maintaining a neutral expression to avoid giving away information. A crucial skill in live poker, where every twitch can give away information. Practice in the mirror, if you have to, just remember that, sometimes, a false tell can be just as valuable as a real one.

Poker Room
A dedicated area for poker in a casino. Often has different rules and atmosphere from the main casino floor.

Poker SPR (Stack-to-Pot Ratio)
The ratio of your stack to the pot size. A crucial metric for post-flop play that will help you decide whether to commit to a hand or fold. The lower the SPR, the more likely you should be to continue.

Poker Stack
The chips in front of you, and your ammunition, so to speak. Managing your stack is as important as playing your cards. Always be aware of how your stack size affects your options and how it compares to your opponents’.

Polarized
A betting range that’s either very strong or very weak, with little in between. This strategy can make you hard to play against, keeping opponents guessing.

Position
Your seat at the table is more than just a chair: it determines when you act, which information you have, and how much control you have over the hand. Always be aware of your position – it’s one of the most important concepts in poker.

Post
Putting in a blind bet, the ante to play the game. You must post blinds to play.

Pot
The total amount of money being played for in a hand. The bigger the pot, the more important your decisions become.Always be aware of the pot size – it’s crucial for calculating your odds and potential returns.

Pot Committed
The point of no return in a hand, when you’ve invested so much that folding becomes mathematically correct and you have to call almost any bet. Try to avoid this situation with weak hands – it often leads to big losses.

Pot Limit
A betting structure that caps bets at the current pot size. It creates a middle ground between the wild swings of No Limit and the tight constraints of Fixed Limit. This format rewards careful pot control and precise bet sizing.

Pot Odds
The ratio of the current pot to the cost of a call. Crucial for making mathematically correct calling decisions.

Preflop
The first betting round, before the community cards are dealt. Many hands are won and lost preflop.

Preflop Raise
Increasing the bet during the first betting round. A key part of aggressive preflop strategies.

Premium Hands
The strongest starting hands, examples include AA, KK, QQ, AK. While they’re not a guarantee of victory, premium hands give you the best chance to win big pots.

Price
The cost of staying in a hand, compared to the potential reward. Always consider if you’re getting the right price to continue. Sometimes, a good price can make even marginal hands worth playing.

Priced Out
When a player is “priced out” it means that they do not have the right pot odds to call a bet. 

Printing

When a player describes an action as “printing” in poker, they are implying that it is extremely profitable and “prints” EV or money.

Probe Bet
A bet made to gain information about your opponent’s hand. Useful when you were the preflop aggressor but didn’t c-bet on the flop.

Protect
Guarding your hand against potential draws. Betting or raising to prevent opponents from seeing cheap cards is a crucial skill. Don’t give away free cards when you’re ahead; make your opponents pay to chase!

Punt
A punt in poker is the act of risking a large amount of chips in a risky and aggressive manner, usually with a low chance of winning. Punts are often the result of a lack of poker strategy awareness. 

Push
To go all-in. Sometimes it’s your only play, but choose your spot carefully. A well-timed push can win you the pot uncontested, but a mistimed one can send you to the rail.

Put Down
Calling a bet when you believe you have the best hand. It requires a strong read on your opponent and confidence in your hand. Make sure your read is solid before putting your opponent on a specific holding.

Q.

Quads
Four of a kind, a monster hand that rarely loses. 

Queen
The Queen in poker is the 12th highest card which is identified by the female portrait and the Q symbols in the corners. It comes after the Jack and before the King.

Qualifier
In split-pot games, the minimum hand strength required to win the low portion. Often “eight or better,” meaning no card can be higher than an eight. Understanding qualifiers is crucial in these games. Sometimes, no hand qualifies and the high hand scoops the pot.

R.

Rabbit Hunting
Rabbit hunting in poker means revealing cads that would have come, if the hand continued. While tempting, it’s generally not allowed in casinos as it slows down the game. In home games, it can lead to interesting “what if” discussions.

Rack
A rack is a plastic tray that holds casino chips. Used for chip storage and sometimes as a unit of measurement in high-stakes games.

Rag
A seemingly insignificant low card that can become a game-changer in the right situation. While often overlooked, rags can be crucial in making straights or two-pair hands.

Ragged
A flop that doesn’t appear to help any particular hand. These boards can be tricky to play, as they often miss everyone’s hand.

Rail
The barrier between players and spectators, both literally and figuratively. It’s also a term for the audience watching the game. Some of the best poker stories start with “I was sweating my buddy from the rail when…”

Railbird
The spectators of the poker world. Some are just casual observers, while others are scouting for their next game. Be aware of railbirds when playing – they might pick up on your tells or playing patterns.

Rainbow
A flop containing three different suits, reducing the possibility of flush draws.

Raise
Increasing the current bet size in order to put pressure on your opponents and build the pot.

Rake
The house’s cut of each pot as payment for providing the game. 

Rakeback
A player’s bonus, returning a percentage of paid rake. This incentive can significantly boost your profits, especially in online poker.

Range
The spectrum of hands a player could have in a given situation. Thinking in terms of ranges rather than specific hands is crucial for advanced play. 

Range Bet
A range bet in poker means that a player would bet their whole range (100% of the hands in their range) as a continuation bet on the flop..

Range Merge
A range merge or merging a range is the act of betting with a linear strength hand, while your opponent believes you are on a polarized range.

Rank
The hierarchical value of cards, from deuce to ace. Understanding the relative strength of different ranks is fundamental to poker. Remember, in most games, an ace can be high or low.

Re-Buy
An option to buy more chips in some tournaments if you go bust. While it can be a useful tool to overcome a bad start, don’t let it become a crutch.

Re-Raise
Raising again after someone has already raised, showing significant strength.

Re-Shove
A re-shove happens when one player has gone all-in and then another player goes all-in after them. The second all-in is the re-shove.

Read
Your interpretation of an opponent’s likely holdings based on their actions. Developing strong reads is a key skill that comes with experience and observation. Just remember, sometimes the best read is realizing you don’t have one.

Represent
Acting as if you hold a specific strong hand, whether you have it or not. It’s a form of storytelling with your bets. To be effective, make sure your story is consistent throughout the hand.

Ring Game
The classic format of cash poker, where players can come and go as they please. Unlike tournaments, the blinds don’t increase.

River
The fifth and final community card. The river can be a savior, turning a losing hand into a winner, or a heartbreaker, snatching victory away at the last moment.

Rock
The ultimate tight player, who only plays premium hands. While predictable, rocks can be hard to bluff. 

ROI
ROI is Return on Investment, a measure of tournament profitability by comparing your winnings to your buy-ins. A positive ROI is every tournament player’s goal. Just remember that even the best players can have negative ROI in the short term due to variance.

Rotation
The order of betting around the table. Always be aware of who acts before and after you. 

Round of Betting
When players get the chance to bet, check, or raise. Each round ends when all bets are called or everyone folds.

RTA
In poker, RTA stands for Real Time Assistance. Programs like solvers, if used during a poker game, are classified as RTA, because they would be assisting a player in real time. RTA can take many forms.

Runner-Runner
Hitting necessary cards on both the turn and river to make your hand. It’s a longshot that can lead to epic bad beat stories. When it happens to you, try to take it in stride – that’s poker.

Run It Out
In poker, running it out refers to the community cards being dealt. A player may say “run it out” to encourage the dealer to produce the community cards, usually when players are all in.

Running Bad
Going through a rough patch where nothing seems to go your way. It happens to everyone, even the pros. The key is to stay focused on playing your best and not let it affect your decision-making.

Running Good
Experiencing a streak of good luck where everything seems to go your way. Enjoy it while it lasts, but don’t let it go to your head. Good runs can end as quickly as they begin!

Running It Twice
A cash game practice of dealing the remaining cards twice to reduce variance. It’s common in high-stakes games where players want to mitigate big swings. Remember, it doesn’t change the long-term expected value, just the short-term variance.

S.

Sail Boats
In a poker game, “sail boats” is a name for Pocket Fours (meaning two fours in a players hand). This is because the 4 looks like a classic drawing of boat sails.

Sandbag
Playing a strong hand weakly to trap aggressive opponents into betting.

Satellite
A lower buy-in tournament where prizes are entries to larger tournaments. It’s a great way to get into big events on a budget. 

Scare Card
A community card that could have completed a strong hand. It often slows down the action. Scare cards can be great bluffing opportunities if you sense weakness in your opponents.

Scoop
Winning both the high and low portions of a split-pot game. It’s the best possible outcome in these games, essentially doubling your win.

Seat Position
Your spot at the table relative to the button. It’s crucial for determining your betting position in each hand. Different seats require different strategies, so always be aware of where you’re sitting.

Second Best
A strong hand that’s beaten by an even better hand. It often results in losing a big pot and can cause tilt.

Second Pair
Pairing the second-highest card on the flop. 

Semi-Bluff
Betting with a hand that’s currently behind but has potential to improve. It combines the best of both worlds – you can win if your opponent folds, or if you hit your draw. 

Session
A single sitting at the poker table. Setting time limits for your sessions helps maintain focus and prevents fatigue-induced mistakes.

Set
Flopping three of a kind with a pocket pair. It’s a powerful hand that’s often well-disguised.

Set Mining
Playing small pocket pairs hoping to flop a set.

Shark
A highly skilled, aggressive player who preys on weaker opponents. They’re the apex predators of the poker world.

Ship It
Players say “Ship It” in poker to describe the pot of chips getting “shipped” to them when they have won. Some players, like the one that didn’t win the hand, may find such a statement rude.

Shootout
A tournament format where you must win your table to advance. It requires a different strategy than regular tournaments, often playing more like a series of single-table tournaments.

Short Buying
Buying in for less than the maximum allowed amount. While sometimes necessary, it can be frowned upon as it limits action.

Short Handed
A game with fewer than the maximum number of players. It requires a more aggressive strategy as blinds come around more frequently. 

Short Stack
Having significantly fewer chips than the average. It forces you to pick your spots carefully and often leads to all-in confrontations.

Shot Clock
A time limit for making decisions. It keeps the game moving but adds pressure.

Shove
To bet all your chips. It’s a crucial move, especially when short-stacked.

Show
To reveal your cards. Only do this when required or if you’re sure it’s to your advantage. 

Showdown
The moment of truth when remaining players reveal their hands. It’s where bluffs are caught and monsters are revealed.

Showdown Value
The strength of your hand if it reaches showdown without improving. Hands with showdown value can call down lighter against aggressive opponents.

Side Bet
A bet between players separate from the main game.

Side Pot
An extra pot created when a player is all-in and others still have chips.

Signaling
In poker, signaling is a way of communicating with another player. Players who are found sharing information at a poker table through signaling, to gain a secret advantage against other players, are considered to be cheating. Of course, some signaling is not cheating, like waving to a poker room’s floor supervisor or gesturing to the dealer.

Sit and Go (SNG)
A tournament that starts when enough players register. They’re great for quick tournament action when you don’t have time for a full multi-table tournament. 

Slow Play
Playing a strong hand passively to trap opponents.

Slow Roll
Deliberately delaying revealing a winning hand. It’s considered extremely poor etiquette and can create bad blood at the table. 

Small Ball
A strategy of playing many small pots rather than a few large ones. It can be effective, especially in tournaments where survival is key.

Small Blind
The smaller of the two forced bets posted before the deal. It’s a tricky position to play from, as you act first postflop but get a discount preflop.

Smooth Call
Calling with a strong hand that could have raised. It’s used to disguise hand strength and potentially trap opponents.

Snap Call
Calling a bet immediately, without hesitation. It often signals a very strong hand.

Snap Fold
A snap fold is a very quick fold, almost an instant fold facing a bet or raise. 

Snapped Off
When your bluff gets called quickly and confidently. It happens to everyone, so don’t let it tilt you.

Snowmen
In poker, the hand of pocket eights is called “Snowmen” because the eights look like two snowmen. 

Soft Play
Playing less aggressively against a friend. It’s unethical and can get you in trouble with the casino. Always play your best, regardless of who your opponent is.

Soft Seat
A seat at a table with many weak players. It’s what every poker player dreams of finding. 

Solid
A player who generally makes good decisions. It’s a compliment in the poker world.

Solver
A solver is a name for the poker program which calculates Nash equilibrium based on inputs from a user. Solvers are what produce Game Theory Optimal (GTO) solutions.

Soul Read
An uncannily accurate read on your opponent’s exact hand. It’s a rare skill that comes with experience and keen observation. 

Spin and Go (Spins)
A Spin and Go, also called Spins, is a three-way poker tournament with fast blind structure. The winner usually receives 100% of the prize, but sometimes the prize is split.

Splash Around
Playing loosely, often for fun rather than profit. It’s fine occasionally, but don’t make a habit of it if you’re serious about winning. Save splashing around for home games with friends.

Split Pot
A pot that’s divided among two or more players. It happens in ties or in high-low games.

Squeeze
Reraising after there’s been a raise and one or more callers. It can be a powerful move in the right spot, representing a strong hand.

Stack
The total amount of chips a player has. Always be aware of your stack and your opponents’ stacks, as stack size often dictates your strategy.

Stakes
The size of the blinds or minimum bets in a game. Play within your bankroll – never play stakes that make you uncomfortable or affect your decision-making. Moving up in stakes should be a careful, considered decision.

Stay
To remain in a hand by calling a bet. Make sure you have a good reason to stay – don’t call just because you’ve already invested chips.

Steal
Winning a pot with a bet or raise when you likely don’t have the best hand. It’s often attempted from late position, especially against tight players.

Steal Position
A late position favorable for attempting to steal the blinds. The button is the ultimate steal position.

Straddle
An optional blind bet, usually double the big blind, placed before cards are dealt. It changes the dynamics of the game, often leading to more action.

Straight
Five consecutive cards of any suit.

Straight Flush
Five consecutive cards of the same suit. It’s the second-strongest hand in poker, only beaten by a royal flush. 

Strategic Bluff
A bluff made not just to win the current pot, but to set up future hands. Think long-term with your bluffs.

Streak
A run of consecutive wins or losses. Just remember – poker is a long-term game, and short-term results don’t necessarily reflect skill, good or bad.

Street
A round of betting in poker. Each street introduces new information, cards, and betting opportunities. 

String Bet
An illegal move where a player doesn’t put all raising chips out in one single motion. It’s against the rules in most casinos. 

Structure
The specific rules of blinds, antes, and betting limits in a game or tournament.

Stuck
Being down money in a session. It’s a common situation, but don’t let it affect your play.

Suck Out
Winning with a worse hand that improves on the turn or river. It feels great when it happens to you, but terrible when you’re on the other end.

Suit
One of the four categories of cards (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades).

Suited
Two cards of the same suit. Suited cards have more potential to make strong hands like flushes. 

Suited Connectors
Two consecutive cards of the same suit. These hands have great potential to make strong hands like straights and flushes.

Suited Gappers
Two cards of the same suit with one or more ranks between them. Similar to suited connectors but with less straight potential. 

Squeeze
A squeeze play in poker happens when there is a preflop raise and one or more calls, then another player makes a 3-bet. The reason this is called a squeeze is because it “squeezes” other players out of the pot and should leave you with fewer opponents. 

T.

Table Cards
The community cards in games like Hold’em and Omaha. These are the shared cards used by all players to make their best hand. 

Tabled
When a hand is tabled, it means that the cards have been placed face up on the table and displayed for everyone to view.

TAG (Tight-Aggressive)
A playing style involving playing few hands but playing them aggressively. It’s generally considered a strong approach, especially for beginners.

Tank
Taking a long time to make a decision. While it can be strategic, don’t overuse it. Excessive tanking slows down the game and can irritate other players.

Tapped Out
Having no more money to bet. Proper bankroll management is key to ensuring you don’t find yourself tapped out.

Tell
A physical behavior or betting pattern that gives away information about a player’s hand. Look for these in opponents and avoid giving them yourself.

Texas Hold’em
The most popular form of poker. Players combine their two hole cards with five community cards to make the best hand. Its simplicity and depth have made it the go-to game for most poker players.

Texture
The characteristics of the community cards that affect how likely different hands are. Different textures favor different types of hands.

Three of a Kind
Having three cards of the same rank. Also known as “trips” or a “set” depending on how it’s made. It’s a strong hand that often wins at showdown.

Three-Bet
The third bet in a betting sequence, effectively a re-raise of a raise.

Ticket
In tournaments, a ticket is a voucher that represents a seat in a future event. It’s a common satellite prize. Be aware of expiration dates on tickets to ensure you don’t lose value.

Tight
A playing style characterized by playing few hands and generally only continuing with strong holdings.

Tilt
A state of emotional frustration leading to suboptimal play. Recognizing and avoiding tilt is crucial for long-term success. If you feel yourself tilting, it’s often best to end your session.

Timebank
In online and live poker, players sometimes have fixed limits of time that they can take for their decisions. This is shown in their timebank, which indicates how much time they have for their decision.

Timid
A player who rarely bets or raises, preferring to call or check. They’re often easy to bluff or push around. 

Top and Bottom
When a player has top and bottom, it means that they have the top pair and the bottom pair. For example, with A♦ 5♦ and a board of 5♥ A♥ K♠ 7♥ 9♥, you have a pair of Aces and a pair of Fives. Aces are the highest pair available and Fives are the lowest.

Top Kicker
The highest unpaired card in a player’s hand. It’s often decisive when players share the same pair. Always be aware of your kicker strength when playing paired boards.

Top Pair
Pairing the highest card on the flop with one of your hole cards. 

Top Set
Flopping three of a kind with the highest card on the board. It’s the strongest possible set and often leads to big pots. 

Top-Top
When a player has top-top, it means that they have the top two pairs. For example, with A♦ K♦ and a board of 5♦ A♥ K♠ 7♥ 9♥, you have a pair of Aces and a pair of Kings, the highest pairs available.

Top Two Pair
Having two pair using both hole cards and the two highest cards on the board.

Tough Player
A skilled opponent who is difficult to play against. Respect their game but don’t be intimidated. 

Tournament
A poker competition where players are eliminated once they lose all their chips. Prizes are awarded to top finishers. Tournament strategy differs significantly from cash game strategy, with a greater emphasis on survival and chip accumulation.

Tournament Fee
The portion of a tournament buy-in that goes to the house rather than the prize pool. 

Tracker
A poker tracker focuses on recording information from poker games, usually so that a player can learn how to improve their strategy. Some kinds of trackers also monitor the results of players in tournaments or cash games. A tracker in poker has nothing to do with tracking a player’s physical location.

Trap
To play a strong hand in a way that encourages opponents to bet into you. It can be very profitable but risky. 

Trapper
A player who frequently slow plays strong hands. Be cautious when a known trapper shows sudden aggression.

Triple Barrel
Betting on all three post-flop streets (flop, turn, river). It usually represents a very strong hand or a big bluff.

Trips
Three of a kind, specifically when using one hole card and two community cards.

Turbo
A fast-structured tournament with rapidly increasing blinds. It requires aggressive play and quick decision-making.

Turn
The fourth community card dealt in Hold’em and Omaha. Also known as “Fourth Street”. Also known as “Turncard.”

Two Pair
A hand consisting of two different pairs. It’s a medium-strength holding in most games.

U.

Under-Repped
Being under-repped in poker means that your hand strength has been represented as weaker than it really is. It was probably under-repped because of no preflop raising or 3-betting, when a hand might usually do that.

Under the Gun (UTG)
The position to the immediate left of the big blind, first to act preflop. It’s a challenging position to play from, requiring a tighter range than later positions.

Underdog
A hand or player statistically less likely to win. Sometimes it’s worth playing as an underdog if the pot odds are right. 

Upswing
A period of positive results or profit in poker. Enjoy it, but don’t let it make you overconfident. Even during upswings, stick to your fundamental strategy.

V. 

Value
When players refer to value in poker, they mean the benefit they can gain from a situation in poker. For example, with a very strong hand, a player can create value and beat weaker hands.

Value Bet
A bet made with a hand you believe to be best, aiming to get called by worse hands. Mastering value betting is key to maximizing your winnings. 

Value Town
In poker, Value Town is a made-up location. Players will say something like, “I am going to take them to Value Town,” meaning that they will get lots of value from their opponent and win a large pot.

Variance
The natural swings in poker results due to luck. Understanding variance helps maintain emotional stability during both upswings and downswings. Remember, short-term results don’t necessarily reflect skill.

Villain
In poker strategy discussions, a term used to refer to an opponent. It helps in analyzing hands objectively by depersonalizing the opponent.

VIP
A VIP in poker is a player that is important to the game and will create lots of action for other players.

VPIP
In poker, VPIP is an abbreviation for Voluntarily Put In Pot. VPIP measures how often players enter pots and is used to show how loose or tight a player is with their hand range.

W.

Wash
A wash is a style of shuffling cards where all cards are placed face-down on the table and mixed together in a swirling motion.

Whale
A whale is poker player with a large bankroll and an appetite for playing a lot.

Worst Hand
A losing hand. Learning when to fold the worst hand is as important as knowing when to bet the best hand.

WSOP
The World Series of Poker, the most prestigious series of poker tournaments. The Main Event is every player’s dream, offering life-changing money and poker immortality to the winner.

X.

Y.

Z.