Poker Dictionary - Extensive poker dictionary of poker terms.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y

Browse our extensive poker dictionary below, or use the quick find indexes above or to the left to find the word you want.

Other useful pages:-

Online Chat Terms	Hand Names / Slang
Basic Poker Rules	Hand Rankings

A Game
The highest stake ring game in a bricks and mortar or online poker room.

A Team
A slang term sometimes used for the poker hand Ace 10 (A-10).

Ace High
A hand where no other hand exists (such as a pair or straight) will be won by the player who has the highest card. As an Ace is the highest card, the 'Ace High' hand will win.

Aces and spaces
A slang term sometimes used for a pair of aces (A-A) with no other relevant cards.

Aces Full
A full house with three aces and any pair.

Aces Up
A hand that contains two pairs one of which is aces.

Acey-Deucey
A slang term sometimes used for Ace 2 (A-2).

Act
To fold, check, bet, raise or reraise when it is your turn. It is your turn to 'Act'.

Acting first
A player who must fold, check or bet before the other players is acting first.

Acting last
A player who must fold, check or bet, raise or re-raise after the other players is acting last.

Action
1.) The act of folding, checking, betting, raising or reraising when it is your turn.
2.) A description for a game with a lot of chips moving around. Eg. I'm trying to find a game with some action.

Active
Still in the game.

Active hand
A hand that has not been folded is an active hand.

Active player
A player who holds an active hand is an active player.

Add on
An option that is sometimes offered within a multi table tournament structure. After a set amount of time you will be offered the option to 'add-on' where you can purchase more chips. All players are offered the option to add-on at a pre-set time, usually the first break or after a certain number of levels. An add-on is usually the last chance you will have in that tournament to purchase extra chips.

Advertise
To play a certain way to encourage others to misinterpret your play. Eg. To show your cards when you have made a bluff to encourage other players to think you are doing the same thing when you make the same size bet later on in the game when you have a good hand.

Agressive Player
A player who bets at and raises pots frequently.

Ainsworth
A slang term sometimes used for 6-2.

Ajax
A slang term sometimes used for Ace jack (A-J).

Alabama Night Riders
A slang term sometimes used for Three of a kind, kings.

Alaska Hand
A slang term sometimes used for King 3 (K-3).

All-in
A player who has put all of the chips they have at the table into the pot is described as being 'All-in'. An 'All-in' player can only win the part of the pot that is matched by his own chips.

All-in bet
A bet that means the player has no more chips to bet with has made an 'all-in' bet.

American Airlines
A slang term sometimes used for Ace Ace (A-A).

Ante
Sometimes, in addition to the blinds, each player will have to put an additional amount into the pot which is called the 'Ante'. All players pay the same amount at the beginning of a hand whether they have paid the blinds or not. 'Antes' are usually paid in the later stages of multi table tournaments.

Ante game
In some forms of poker an 'Ante' will be paid by each player instead of the blinds.

Avatar
A graphic / picture to represent the players at an online card table.

B Back to top

Baby card
A small card which has a value of 8 or less. Not usually used in Texas Holdem, more common in Razz.

Bad Beat
When a hand is beaten by a lucky draw of a lesser hand.

Badugi
A variation of Draw poker which doesn't follow the normal hand ranking rules. See Badugi Rules.

Bankroll
The total of the money you have available to play with.

Baskin Robbins
A slang term sometimes used for Ace 3 (A-3).

bbl
A chat term - 'be back later'.

Beat the board
Having a hand that can beat any other hand in sight.

Beer Hand
A slang term for 7-2 offsuit. It is the worst possible starting hand so you must be drunk to play it, or you should go to the bar for a beer rather than play them.

Belly Buster
A draw and/or catch to an inside straight.

Best of it
Playing a hand with the expectation that in the run long your play will be profitable.

Bet
To put money into the pot which other players will have to match or better (raise) to continue playing in the hand.

Betting the pot
To match the amount in the pot when you bet.

Bettor
The first person to put money into the pot on any given betting round (except the small and big blinds).

Bicycle
A slang term sometimes used for a straight Ace to 5.

Big Chick
A slang term sometimes used for Ace Queen (A-Q).

Big bet
In limit games the compulsory minimum bet in the last 2 rounds of a hand.

Big blind
The larger of the two compulsory bets are the beginning of each hand. Eg. In a 25c/50c cash game the 'big blind' would be 50c.

Big Bobtail
Outside straight flush draw.

Big Lick
A slang term sometimes used for 96 (9-6). (Reverse of 69).

Big Slick
A slang term sometimes used for Ace King (A-K).

Big bet game
A term sometimes used for a pot-limit or no-limit game.

Bitches
A slang term sometimes used for two Queens (Q-Q).

Blackjack
A slang term sometimes used for Ace Jack (A-J).

Blinds
The compulsory bets placed into the pot at the beginning of a hand. The player directly to the left of the dealer has to place the small blind, the player to the left of them have to place to big blind. The big blind is normally twice the amount of the small blind. Although compulsory, the blind is considered an active bet, so if the dealer raises the player in the 'big blind' will only have to make the amount up to his bet to continue playing. Eg. The blinds are 25c/50c, all the other players fold except the dealer who makes a bet of $1. The 'big blind' would only have to put an extra 50c into the pot to continue in that hand.

Blocky
A slang term sometimes used for 6-3.

Blue, All Blue
Flush of clubs or spades.

Bluff
A bet, raise or re-raise with the intention of making the other players fold although you do not think you have the best hand.

Board Cards
The cards that are visible to everyone and can be used by anyone in the hand. Also called Community Cards.

Bobtail
A slang term for a outside straight draw.

Bomber
A slang term sometimes used for 5 2 (5-2), as in B52 bomber.

Book
A slang term sometimes used for Four of a kind.

Bottom Pair
When a player used the lowest card on the flop to make a pair with one of his own cards.

brb
A chat term, "be right back".

Bricks-and-mortar
A real life poker room or cardroom.

Bridge order
Spades, hearts, diamonds, and then clubs. The order that decides which player must make the bring-in in Razz when two or more players have cards of equal rank in the first round.

Bring-in
A forced bet made in Razzround.

Broadway
A slang term used for an ace-high straight, or a busted flush.

Broderick Crawford
A slang term sometimes used for T 4 (T-4).

Broomcorn’s Uncle
A slang term for when a player antes himself broke.

Bullets
A slang term sometimes used for two Aces (A-A).

Bully Johnson
A slang term sometimes used for 3 5 (3-5).

Bump
To raise or re-raise.

Bust
To run out of cash or chips. Eg. to bust out of a tournament or I have no money left, I am bust.

Button
Another name for the dealer position deriving from live games where a dealer button is passed around the table to make it clear who the dealer is. The dealer is sometimes referred to as 'on the button'.

Buy in
The amount a player takes to a cash game table is called the 'buy-in'. Sometimes cash tables have a minimum or maximum 'buy-in'. The 'buy-in' is also the total amount you have to pay to join a tournament.

C Back to top

Call
To match another player's bet without raising.

Called hand
When a raise or bet is called, it is said to be a 'called hand'. In a live poker game the other players at the table or the caller has the right to see the 'called hand' & you will often hear players insisting on seeing the 'called hand'. Although not an official rule it is adhered to by most bricks & mortar poker rooms. Ask your floor manager for clarification if you're unsure if this rules applies at the room you are playing at. It's not relevant to online play as the software will usually force a hand to shown where necessary, and usually relates to position rather than betting action.

Caller
A person who calls a bet, raise or re-raise.

Calling Station
A player who rarely folds or raises but just calls hands. They are difficult to bluff as they will call almost any bet and it can be very difficult to determine the strength of hand they are holding. It is not considered an advanced play.

Candy Canes
A slang term sometimes used for 7 7 (7-7).

Canine
A slang term sometimes used for King 9 (K-9).

Can of corn
A slang term sometimes used for 3 2 (3-2).

Cap
In limit, pot limit or capped limit games, the 'cap' is the maximum raise allowable in that round.

Cap the betting
In limit, pot limit or capped limit games, you 'cap the betting' when putting in the maximum raise allowable in that round.

Capped
In limit, pot limit or capped limit games, the betting is 'capped' when the maximum raise allowable in that round has been put into the pot.

Card
If you don't know what a card is, then I suggest you stop browsing this site and go and find something else to do - lol. Who put this one in?

Case card
The last card of a particular rank. Eg. if you catch an Ace after the other three aces are mucked or in the discards, then you have caught the 'Case Ace'.

Case chips
A player’s last chips on the table.

Cash Game
A game of poker played with real money, except tournaments. Sometimes known as a ring game.

Catch
When you need specific cards to make a winning hand. Eg. I need to 'catch' an Ace.

Change gears
You 'change gears' when you alter the way you have been playing to a new style to confuse your opponents or in response to a given situation.

Chase
Trying to beat a hand that you feel is superior to your own, by calling and hoping that you will catch the card needed for your draw.

Chat term
The abbreviations used in an online chatbox for commonly used phrases. Eg. ty - thank you.

Check
When no-one has put in a bet before you, you can 'check' to stay in the hand but not commit any more chips.

Check blind
To check a hand without having looked at it first.

Check raise
To check when it is your turn, then raise when the action comes round to you again. Usually done when you have a very good hand and you want other players to commit chips to the pot before showing any strength.

Checked around
When all the players check in a betting round, so no bet was made.

Chip
A token of varying preset value used instead of actual cash.

Chip dumping
Where a player deliberately gives his chips to another player.

Cloutier
A slang term sometimes used for Jack T (J-T), refers to the well-known poker player, TJ Cloutier.

Cold Call
When a player calls a raise and re-raise without re-raising again themselves.

Cold deck
Sometimes a deck is refered to as a 'cold deck', if a player feels they haven't had any decent cards in a while.

Collusion
When two or more players conspire together to cheat others in the game.

Columbia River
A slang term sometimes used for King 7 (K-7).

Come hand
A drawing hand is sometimes referred to as a 'come hand'. Eg, you have 6,7,8,9 and you are waiting for a 10 or 5 to create a straight.

Community cards
The cards visible to and that can be used by all the players are referred to as the 'community cards'.

Complete bluff
A bluff made with absolutely no chance of winning if your bluff is called.

Computer hand
A slang term sometimes used for Queen 7 (Q-7).

Counterfeited
A card that you are waiting for to improve your hand, but if it does arrive will give your opponent an even better hand. Eg. You have a pair of Jacks and are hoping for another Jack to make three of a kind, but if it does arrive it will give your opponent a straight.

Cowboys
A slang term sometimes used for two Kings (K-K).

Cowgirls
A slang term sometimes used for two Queens (Q-Q).

Crabs
A slang term sometimes used for 3 3 (3-3).

Crippled deck
A deck with almost nothing left that can help a hand.

Crying call
You make a 'crying call', when you call although you feel you have very little chance of winning.

Cut off
The position just before the Dealer is called the 'cut off'.

Cut the pot
To take a percentage from each pot as the fee payable to the house. Also known as the rake.

cya
A chat term, an abbreviation of "see ya".

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Darth Vader
A slang term sometimes used for the poker hand 4c 4s (the dark fours sound like 'Dark Force').

Dead card
A card no longer in play or no possibility of being relevant in the hand.

Dead hand
A hand that has no possibility of winning. Also used to describe a hand that has been misdealt, or excluded from play in a live game.

Dead in the pot
When you have no possibility of winning, you are 'dead in the pot'.

Dead man's hand
A slang term sometimes used for Ace 8 (A-8). From the hand held by Wild Bill Hivkok when he was shot and killed in a poker game.

Dead money
Money put in the pot by a player who has no possibility of winning the hand.

Dealer
In a live game the 'dealer' is the person who distributes the cards. If the game is online or a house dealer is present, it is also the player who acts last in a betting round. Also known as the 'button'.

Dealers choice
In mixed games (where a 2 or more forms of poker are played), it is the 'dealers choice' which variation will be played in that round.

Dealt in
You are 'dealt in' when you are given cards by the dealer.

Devil's hand
A slang term for Three of a kind, sixes (6-6-6).

Dimes
A slang term sometimes used for 2x Tens (T-T).

Disconnect Protection
If a player loses connection to the website his current share of the pot is considered all-in as a protection against losing chips through no fault of his own. Usually there is a limit to how mnay times a player can take advantage of this facility to avoid fraud.

Dog
A slang term sometimes used for King 9 (K-9).

Dolly Parton
A slang term sometimes used for 9 5 (9-5).

Door Card
A phrase used in Stud to describe the players first exposed card.

Double belly buster
A phrase used to describe a two way inside straight.

Double down
A slang term sometimes used for 7 4 (7-4).

Double infinity
A slang term sometimes used for 8 8 (8-8).

Double pop
By re-raising an already raised pot you have 'double popped' it. Thereby forcing the following players to called 2 bets if they want to remain in the hand.

Double through / double up
To double the amount of chips you have by betting the whole amount and winning that hand.

Doyle Brunson
A slang term sometimes used for T 2 (T-2), so named because he won with it in both the 1976 and 1977 World Series.

Draw
1). A variation of poker where the player receives 5 cards and can discard one or more of his cards for a replacement (draw card). See Draw Rules
2). You have a 'draw' hand if you need 1 or more cards to make a winning hand. Eg. I had four clubs, I was betting on a 'draw' to a club flush.

Drawing dead
Remaining in a hand, waiting for a card to come, that would not create a winning hand, even if it did arrive.

Draw lowball
A poker variation in which the best low hand wins.

Draw out
To win a hand by betting or calling in the anticipation that a particular card may arrive - when that card does arrive and you beat your opponents previously better hand.

Drinking age
A slang term sometimes used for Ace 2 (A-2).

Drop
Fold or muck a hand.

Ducks
A slang term sometimes used for 2 2 (2-2).

Deuces
A slang term sometimes used for 2 2 (2-2).

Duplicate
To have cards to the same value as your opponents. Eg, you both hold pocket sevens.

E Back to top

Early position
The early positions in a hand are the first third of players to act, they are sat directly to the left of the dealer. Eg. In a 6 handed game the first two players are said to be in early position.

Early rounds
In a limit game the first two rounds are described as the 'Early rounds'.

Easy money
Money won from inexperienced poker players.

Edge
To have an advantage or 'edge' in a hand. It can be an advantage due to probabilities or odds, or it can also be a psychological advantage over you opponent.

Effective odds
The ratio of the total amount of money you expect to win if you make your hand, to the total amount of money you expect to have to put into the pot to continue to the end of the hand.

Eldest Hand
The player to the left of the Dealer who received the 1st card dealt has the 'eldest hand'.

Elvis Presley
A slang term sometimes used for two Kings (K-K).

Equity
The value of a particular hand, combination of cards or a particular action.

Expectation
The average result on any play in the long run. You can have positive or negative expectation.

Exposed pair
A pair on the board that is visible to all the players.

F Back to top

Fido
A slang term sometimes used for King 9 (K-9).

Fifth street
1.) In Texas Holdem, the fifth and final community card. 2.) In 7 card Stud, the third round of betting, (the point at which the players receive their 3rd upcard).

Fill
To draw a card which makes a winning hand. Eg. Convert your 2 pair into a full house.

Fill up
To make a full house or straight from the dealing of one card.

First in
The first player who commits chips to the pot apart from the ante's or blinds.

Fishhooks
A slang term sometimes used for a pair of jacks (J-J).

Five and dime
A slang term sometimes used for 10 5 (10-5).

Five card draw
A variation of poker where players start with five cards and then may discard or replace them. See rules.

Fish
A losing player who continues to use the same losing strategy. Generally refers to players who play too many hands and over values their holdings.

Five card stud
A form of poker in which each player gets one concealed card and four exposed cards. See Stud rules.

Fixed limit
See alternate name for a limit game.

Flat call
To call a bet without raising.

Flat limit
A variation of limit poker where all the rounds have the same betting limit.

Flat tyre
A slang term sometimes used for Jack 4 (J-4).

Flop
The first exposed cards out of a deck. In Texas Holdem, the flop is the first 3 community cards dealt. Eg. If you make a straight when the first 3 community cards are dealt, you are said to have caught your straight on the 'flop'.

Flop percentage
The percentage of players who stay in the pot at least until the flop.

Flopping a set / straight / flush
When you have made your hand on the first 3 community cards dealt.

Flush
A hand with five cards of the same suit.

Flush draw
A hand where you have 4 cards of the same suit and need 1 more card of that suit to make a flush.

Fold
To surrender your cards rather than put any more money into the pot. Can also be called 'muck'.

Forced bet
A required bet to start the action on the first round of a poker hand, such as antes or blinds.

Four of a kind
Four cards of the same rank. Four queens (Q-Q-Q-Q) is four of a kind. Also called quads.

Four color deck
A deck where the suits have four colours instead of the traditional two. Usually it is Hearts - Red, Diamonds - Blue, Clubs - Green, Spades - Black. It has become more popular online as it can make hands easier to read.

Four Pips
A slang term for Four of a kind Aces (A-A-A-A).

Fourth street
1.) in Texas Holdem the 4th community card to be dealt. 2.) In Stud games the 4th card to be dealt to each individual player.

Four tits
A slang term sometimes used for two Queens (Q-Q).

Fox Hunt
Request to see next card to be dealt in a hand that ended before all the cards were dealt.

Free card
A card that a player gets without having to put any more money into the pot.

Freezeout
A game in which the players involved continue to play until there is one player left who has won all of the money.

Freezeout tournament
A tournament where all players can only play with the original chips they were given when they bought in. When they have lost those chips they are out of the tournament, they cannot rebuy or add-on.

Full Barn
Another term for a Full House. Three cards of one rank and one pair.

Full Boat
Another term for a Full House. Three cards of one rank and one pair.

Full House
Three cards of one rank and one pair.

Full time job
A slang term sometimes used for 9 5 (9-5).

G Back to top

g1
A chat term, "good one".

Gay waiter
A slang term sometimes used for a Queen 3 (Q-3).

gc
A chat term, "good call" or "good cards".

German virgin
A slang term sometimes used for 9 9 (9-9).

gg
A chat term, "good game".

gl
A chat term, "good luck".

Gold rush
A slang term used for 94 (9-4) - gold rush of 49.

Golf Bag
A slang term for a Flush of clubs.

Goolsby
A slang term sometimes used for Queen 9 (Q-9).

Grand Jury
A slang term sometimes used for 4-4-4.

Grinder
A grinder plays a tight game and usually wins in the long run, often a consistent but cautious player.

Gutshot
An inside straight draw. Where the card you need to complete your straight would be in the middle of your straight. Eg. If you hold AK, the flop has come J, 10, 2, you would need a queen to complete your straight.

H Back to top

Hand for Hand
Towards the end of a tournament, normally approaching the bubble or a large leap in prize money, each table is dealt the hands at the same time therefore ensuring all tables have played the same number of hands. This is mostly done to avoid players 'slow playing' to gain an advantage over players on another table by playing fewer hands.

Heads up
A game where there are only 2 players. They are playing 'heads-up'.

Heinz
A slang term sometimes used for 7 5 (7-5), as in 57 varieties.

High-low split
A form of poker in which the best high hand and the best low hand in a showdown normally split the pot.

High roller
A gambler who plays for large sums of money.

Hockey sticks
A slang term sometimes used for 7 7 (7-7).

Hold'em
(Texas Holdem). The most popular variation of poker today. See Texas Holdem rules.

Hole card
A card which belongs to a player and can only be seen by that player.

Hooks
A slang term sometimes used for two Jacks (J-J).

I Back to top

Implied odds
The ratio between the bet you now have to call to continue in a hand, to the total amount you can expect to win in that hand if you call that bet.

Inside straight
Where the card you needed to complete your straight was in the middle of your straight. Eg. If you hold AK, the flop has come J, 10, 2, then a queen arrives to complete your straight.

Inside straight draw
Where the card you need to complete your straight would be in the middle of your straight. Eg. If you hold AK, the flop has come J, 10, 2, you would need a queen to complete your straight.

Induce a bluff
To play a strong hand weakly hoping your opponent will attempt a bluff.

Induce a call
To play a strong hand weakly hoping your opponent will call.

Infinities
A slang term sometimes used for 8 8 (8-8).

itm
A chat term, "in the money".

J Back to top

Jackass
A slang term sometimes used for Ace Jack (A-J).

Jack Benny
A slang term sometimes used for 3 9 (3-9).

Jack Daniels
A slang term sometimes used for Jack 7 (J-7).

Jackson Five
A slang term sometimes used for Jack 5 (J-5).

Jam
A pot with a lot of action where several players are raising and reraising.

Jesse James
A slang term sometimes used for 4 5 (4-5).

Joe Bernstein
A slang term sometimes used for 6 9 (6-9).

Joe Hachem
A slang term sometimes used for 7 3 (7-3), his winning hand in the 2005 world series.

Johnnies
A slang term sometimes used for two Jacks (J-J).

Johnny Moss
A slang term sometimes used for Ace 10 (A-T).

Jokers
A slang term sometimes used for Two Jacks (J-J).

K Back to top

Keep them honest
To call at the end of a hand to force an opponent who you feel is bluffing to show their hand to the table.

Key card
A card that gives you a big draw or makes your hand.

Kicker
When two players have hands of equal strength, then it is the player who has the next highest card (kicker) who wins. Eg. Player A has Ace 9, player B has Ace 8, there is an Ace on the board so both players have a pair of aces, but player A wins as his 'kicker' (9) is higher.

Kicker trouble
When two opponents have the same pair the player with the smaller kicker is said to have 'kicker trouble'.

King crab
A slang term sometimes used for King 3 (K-3).

King John
A slang term often used for King Jack (K-J).

King Kong
A slang term sometimes used for two Kings (K-K).

King Salmon
A slang term sometimes used for King 7 (K-7).

Knock
A term sometimes used instead of 'Check'.

Klan Rally
A slang term sometimes used for three of a kind, Kings.

Kojak
A slang term sometimes used for King Jack (K-J).

Kokomo
A slang term sometimes used for King 8 (K-8).

Kotch
A slang term sometimes used for three sixes (6-6-6).

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Ladies
A slang term sometimes used for two Queens (Q-Q).

Late position
The late positions in a hand are the final third of players to act. Eg. In a six handed game the final 2 players to act are considered to be in 'late position'.

Late rounds
The last two betting rounds in a limit game.

Lay down your hand
When a player folds or mucks his hand.

Lead
The first player to buy into a pot.

Leak
When something is wrong with a players technique or strategy and they consistently use this strategy they are said to have a 'leak' in their play.

Legitimate hand
A hand with some chance of winning the pot, not a bluffing hand.

Level
In tournament play, the blinds gradually rise at preset intervals. Each stage is called a level.

Limit
A game where there is a preset maximum that any player can bet or reraise in any given round is called a limit game.

Limp
The act of calling the minimum amount (no raise) usually in the first round of a game. Eg. Three players before me 'limped' in, so I decided to 'limp' in myself just to see the flop.

Little blind
The first smaller forced bet at the beginning of a game. More commonly called 'small blind'.

Little Slick
A slang term sometimes used for Ace Queen (A-Q).

Live card
A card which can still have an effect of the outcome of the game.

Live one
A weak player who has got a lot of money at the table.

Lock
A hand that cannot possibly lose. More commonly called the 'Nuts'.

lol
A chat term, "laughing out loud".

Longhand
A game that has at least seven players involved.

Long shot
An event which has little chance of occurring.

Loose
A player is called loose if they play more hands than average, whether they are strong or weak. It does not necessarily mean they are a losing player (although more often than not they are).

Low poker
A variation of poker where the lowest hand wins the pot - as opposed to the more popular high poker where the highest hand wins the pot.

Lumbermans hand
A slang term sometimes used for 2 4 (2-4).

M Back to top

Make
To 'make' the deck is to shuffle the deck.

Maniac
A very aggressive loose player who is constantly raising the pot and plays most of their hands.

Marriage
A slang term sometimes used for King Queen (K-Q).

Maverick
A slang term sometimes used for Queen Jack (Q-J). From the theme tune to the TV show.

Maxwell Smart
A slang term sometimes used for 8 6 (8-6). From Agent 68 in Get Smart.

Middle Pair
When a player used the middle card on the flop to make a pair with one of his own cards.

Middle position
The middle positions in a hand are the middle third of players to act. Eg. In a 6 handed game the third and fourth players are said to be in middle position.

Mid life crisis
A slang term sometimes used for 4 4 (4-4).

Minimum buy in
The minimum amount you can buy-in to a game with.

Misread
To incorrectly put another player on a hand. You can also misread your own cards, missing a flush or straight.

Mixed games
A form of poker growing in popularity. Each round or hand is played with a different poker variation. See Mixed Games.

Mixed Marriage
A slang term sometimes used for King and Queen unsuited.

Moneymaker
A slang term sometimes used for 5 4 (5-4). Chris Moneymaker's winning hand in the World Series 2003.

Montana Banana
A slang term sometimes used for 9 2 (9-2).

Mortal nuts
Given the cards on the board, the best possible hand at the moment, but the hand is 'mortal' and could be beaten.

Motown
A slang term sometimes used for Jack 5 (J-5).

Move all-in
When a player bets all the money he has at the table.

Mrs. Slick
A slang term sometimes used for Ace Queen (A-Q).

Muck
To fold your hand. You can 'muck' your hand, or throw your cards into the 'muck'.

Multiway pot
A pot in which more than two players are involved.

N Back to top

n
A chat term, "nice".

n1
A chat term, "nice one".

nc
A chat term, "nice call".

nh
A chat term, "nice hand".

nhs
A chat term, "nice hands".

nhwps
A chat term, "Nice hand! Well played sir".

nl
A chat term, "no limit".

nlhe
A chat term, "no limit hold'em".

No limit
The form of poker where there is no limit to the amount you can bet, up to and including all the money you have at the table.

Nuts
When you have the best possible hand at any given point in a pot, you have the 'nuts'.

Nut flush
When you have the best possible flush at any given point in a pot, you have the 'nut flush'.

Nut low
When you have the best possible low hand in a low game, at any given point in a pot, you have the 'nut low'.

Nut straight
When you have the best possible straight at any given point in a pot, you have the 'nut straight'.

O Back to top

o
A chat term which stands for offsuit, as in KQo.

o8
A chat term, "Omaha 8/better".

Odds
The chance against or for an event happening.

Offsuit
When two cards do not share the same suit. Eg, You can have AK offsuit, as opposed to AK suited (of the same suit). Regularly shortened to just 'off' in an online chatbox.

Oldsmobile
A slang term sometimes used for 9 8 (9-8).

Omaha
A variation of poker. See Omaha rules.

Omaha 8
A short name for Omaha high-low. See Omaha rules.

Omaha H/L
A short name for Omaha high-low. See Omaha rules.

Omaha Hi / Lo
A short name for Omaha high-low. See Omaha rules.

Omaha split
A short name for Omaha high-low. See Omaha rules.

omg
A chat term, "oh my god!".

On tilt
Playing differently than usual because, for one reason or another, you have become emotionally upset.

One pair
Two cards of the same rank.

Open
To make the first bet in a hand. This term is used mostly in draw poker.

Open card
A card that is dealt face up so all the players can see.

Open ended straight draw
A four card hand where a straight is possible on either end, such as 4-5-6-7.

Open handed
A poker game like seven card stud or razz in which some cards in each players hand are exposed.

Open pair
An exposed pair.

Out
An 'out' is a card that will improve your hand to make it a winning hand.

Outs
You count the number of 'outs' you have (cards that will improve your hand to make it a winning hand), in order to calculate whether it is worth calling a bet or raise.

Over and Out
A slang term sometimes used for 10-4, (10-4).

Overbet
To make a bet that is out of proportion with (much bigger than) the size of the pot in a no limit game.

Overcall
A call made after there has already been a bet and a call.

Overcard
A card higher that is higher than the highest card on the board or in a players hand.

Overpair
A pair that is higher than any other card on the board.

P Back to top

Paint
A facecard such as Jack, Queen, King or Ace.

Pair
Two cards of the same rank.

Pass
To check or to fold.

Pat hand
A complete hand.

Pay off
A call or a bet made with the lesser hand. Eg. I had quad aces but they didn't 'pay off', meaning nobody bet, or called your bet.

Peddle the nuts
To bet a winning hand weakly hoping that an opponent will call. Also called selling the nuts.

Pickle Man
A slang term sometimes used for 5 7 (5-7).

Picture cards
Face cards (Jack, Queen, King, Ace).

Pineapple
A variarion of poker which is gaining in popularity. See Pineapple rules.

Pink, All Pink
A slang term for a flush of hearts or diamonds.

pl
A chat term, "pot limit".

plo
A chat term, "pot limit Omaha". See Omaha rules

plo8
A chat term, "pot limit Omaha 8/better". See Omaha rules

Pocket
The cards a player holds which the other players cannot see are the 'pocket' cards.

Pocket pair
A pair of cards that a players holds which the other players cannot see.

Pocket rockets
A slang term for a pair of aces held by a player, which the other players cannot see.

Posh gay waiter
A slang term sometimes used for suited Queen 3 (Q-3).

Position
Where a player sits in relation to other players in a particular pot.

Positive expectation
A play with 'positive expectation' is a play that will win money over the long run.

Post oak bluff
A small bet in a large pot in the hopes that opponents will give up the pot.

Pot limit
A variation of poker where the maximum bet permitted is the amount that is already in the 'pot'.

Pot odds
The relationship between the total amount in the pot to the amount of the current bet which you must call to stay in the hand.

Preflop
Before any community cards are dealt.

Premium hands
The best starting hands in a game. Eg. A-A and K-K.

Presto
A slang term sometimes used for 5 5 (5-5).

Probability
The chance that an event will occur, generally expressed in percentage terms.

Prom night
A slang term used for 9 6 suited (9-6).

Protect
Making a high bet or raise to 'protect' the hand you have already made against a draw.

Puppy Feet, Puppy Toes, Pups
A slang term sometimes used for a flush of clubs.

Pure nuts
Absolutely the best possible hand, which cannot be beaten whatever cards are still to come.

Put down
To fold a hand.

Put someone on a hand
To determine as best you can the hand (or hands) an opponent is most likely to have by their actions so far.

Q Back to top

Q Tip
A slang term sometimes used for a Q T (Q-T).

Quads
A slang term often used for four of a kind.

Quartered
Where the pot is divided between four players.

Quinine
A slang term sometimes used for Q 9 (Q-9).

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Rag
A low value card usually lower than 9. Eg If you have Ace 3 (A-3) you would say you have Ace rag, as the 3 is an irrelevant card in most cases.

Railbird
A spectator. Derives from the rail in a live game which separates the players from the spectators.

Railroad hand
A slang term sometimes used for J 6 (J-6).

Rainbow Flop
A flop with three different suits and no pair.

Raise
To put more money into the pot than any previous bets.

Raiser
A player who raises or has raised.

Rake
The percentage taken by the house or pokerroom in a cash game as a fee for hosting the game.

Rapping pat
This term is used in draw poker when a player draws no additional cards.

Rat hole
To put chips (or money) in your pocket during a game.

Raquel Welch
A slang term sometimes used for 3 8 (3-8).

Razz
A variation of poker similar to Stud. See Razz / Stud rules.

Read
Attempting to determine the possible hands of your opponent.

Rebuy
The act of purchasing extra chips.

Rebuy period
The period of time during a rebuy tournament where players can buy more chips when lose all their chips, or their chipstack falls below a certain level.

Rebuy tournament
A tournament in which players can buy more chips when they lose all their chips, or their chipstack goes below a certain level. Rebuys are usually only allowed in the beginning stages for a predetermined amount of time.

Represent
To make it appear to your opponents by your betting or raising that you have a hand bigger than the one you actually have.

Reraise
To increase an opponents raise with an additional raise.

Reverse bridge order
When two or more players have the same upcards in a stud game, the 'bring in' card is then determined by the suit of the players' cards. The order is Clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades.

Reverse implied odds
The ratio of the amount of money now in the pot to the amount of money you will have to call to continue from the present round to the end of the hand.

Ring game
A cash game that is not a tournament is also called a 'ring game'.

River
1.) This is the final fifth community card to be dealt in a game of Texas Holdem or Omaha. 2.) The seventh and last card dealt face down in 7 card Stud and Razz.

Rock
A player who plays only good hands. They are considered tight and rarely bluff.

Roger that
A slang term sometimes for T 4 (T-4).

Rolled up
In seven card stud when the first three cards are of the same rank .eg. three fours (4-4-4).

Rough
A term used to describe a lowball hand with relatively weak supporting cards, for example an 8-7-6-5-3 or 8-7-3-2-A would be a rough eight - as opposed to smooth.

Rounders
A term used to describe hustlers.

Route 66
A slang term sometimes used for 6 6 (6-6).

Royal flush
A special name given a straight flush with an Ace as the top card. This is the best hand you can have in poker.

Royal Marriage
A slang term sometimes used for King and Queen of the same suit (K-Q suited).

Royalty
A slang term often used for the hand King Queen (K-Q).

Runner-runner
In Texas Holdem used to describe the 4th and 5th community cards dealt, when they make you the winning hand or what your opponent needed to beat you.

Running pair
When the 4th and 5th community cards dealt are a pair.

Rush
1.) A rapid succession of winning hands, also known as a winning streak. 2.) What you do when you need the toilet and to make a cuppa during the 5 minute break in an online.

S Back to top

Sailboats
A slang term sometimes used for 4 4 (4-4).

Satellite
A tournament to gain entry into a larger tournament at a later date.

Sandbag
To play a strong hand weakly. To check raise or slowplay with what you think is the best hand.

San Francisco Busboy
A slang term sometimes used for a Queen and a 3 (Q-3).

Scare card
A potentially dangerous card to either you or your opponent.

Scoop
To win both ends (high and low) of a pot in high/low games.

Second nuts
The second best possible hand at that point in the game.

Second pair
A pair made with the second highest card on the board in Texas Holdem or Omaha.

Selling a hand
A pair made with the second highest card on the board in Texas Holdem or Omaha.

Semi bluff
A bet or raise to push another player off the pot and cause them to fold. If called, you probably don't have the best hand at the time of the bet, but it could be beating your opponents hand, or could improve to a winning hand when the remaining community cards are dealt.

Set
Three of a kind.

Seven stud
The commonly used name for for seven-card stud. See Stud rules.

Seven Card Stud
A variation of poker. See Stud rules.

Seven card stud hi/lo
Another name for Seven card stud high-low. See Stud rules.

Seven card stud high-low
A variation of poker. See Stud rules.

Seven card stud split
Another name for Seven card stud high-low. See Stud rules.

Seven card stud eight or better
Another name for Seven card stud high-low. See Stud rules.

Seventh street
In Seven stud games, the seventh card dealt to each player.

Shark
A very good player.

Sheriff
A player who will always call on the river, so that no one can ever get away with bluffing at that point in the game. (keeping them honest).

Shills
Shills are players paid by the house, to either start games or maintain numbers in games, (sometimes called a prop player).

Short
To have a short stack of chips in relation to the other players.

Short call
To call a bet with an amount that is below what would be legal if you had more chips at the table because you do not have enough chips. A form of going 'all-in'.

Shorthanded
A game that does not have all the available seats filled. It can also refer to a game where there a fewer seats available than normal. A 5 seat table is considered 'shorthanded'.

Short stack
The player at the table with the least amount of chips.

Showdown
The revealing of all active players' cards at the end of the final round of betting to see who has the best hand. Can happen even before the flop if one or more players have gone 'all-in' and there is no more than one player left with any chips.

Shut out
A term used in no-limit when a large bet is used to force another player out of the pot.

Side pot
When a player has gone all-in, but two or more players continue to bet, the subsequent bets are placed into a side pot that only the two active players can win.

Sit and Go
A 'Sit and Go' tournament where the tournament starts when all the seats available have been filled. Sometimes refered to as STT, Single Table Tournament or SNG.

Sixth street
The sixth card dealt to each player in 7 card stud.

Sixthed
A situation where six players share the pot.

Slow play
To play a strong hand weakly in order to hide the strength of your hand - used either to induce a bluff or to encourage an opponent to think he has the winning hand. Can also be referring to a tactic employed by some players nearing the bubble or a leap in prize money in a tournament. They 'slow play' to gain the advantage over players on other tables by playing fewer hands and therefore paying fewer blinds.

Slot Machine
A slang term sometimes used for Three of a kind, sevens (7-7-7).

Small bet
1.) The smaller of the forced bets at the beginning of a hand. Also known as Small blind. 2.) In limit games, the amount of the bet on the first two rounds of betting.

Small blind
1.) The smaller of the forced bets at the beginning of a hand. Also known as Small bet.

Smooth
A term to describe a lowball hand with relatively strong supporting.

Smooth call
1.) When a player simply calls when slow playing a hand. 2.) When a player calls, wanting to wait and see what the players acting after him will do before committing anymore to the pot.

Snapped off
To get caught and called when bluffing.

sng
A chat term, "sit-n-go".

Snow hand
In draw games when a player stands pat on a losing hand and bets at the pot hoping that his bet will win the pot, rather than the hand itself.

Snow men
A slang term sometimes used for 8 8 (8-8).

Solid
A good, tight player.

Speeding around
A loose player who seems to play with no relation to his actual cards is said to be 'speeding around'.

Speed limit
A slang term sometimes used for 5 5 (5-5).

Split
Used where the pot is shared. Eg. We 'split' the pot.

Split pair
A pair in seven card stud poker in which one of the cards is face up and one is face down.

Split-pot game
A variation of poker where the pot is split between the highest and lowest winning hand.

Split pot
Dividing the pot equally between two or more players who have the same hand.

Stack
The amount of chips you have at a table is called your 'stack'.

Steal
To win a pot by making a bet to push your opponents off the pot with what you feel could possibly be the worst hand. Mostly used as a term for betting in order to 'steal' the blinds.

Steam
To play badly because you are upset. Another term for 'Tilt'.

Steel wheel
A slang term sometimes used for a Straight flush, ace to five.

Stragglers
Players who limp in from an early position.

Straight
A hand consisting of five cards in a row of any suit, as A-2-3-4-5 or 9-10-J-Q-K.

Straight draw
A four card hand where you need one more card to make a straight.

Straight flush
A hand consisting of five cards in a row of the same suit, as A-2-3-4-5 or 9-10-J-Q-K.

Straight flush draw
A four card hand where you need one more card to make a straight flush.

Strong
A term to describe a good poker player.

Stuck
If you are losing over a session or a period of time, you may be referred to as 'stuck'.

Stud
A variation of poker. See Stud rules.

Stud H/L
A short name for Five or Seven card stud high-low. A variation of poker. See Stud rules.

Sucker
A poor player who thinks he is a winning player.

Suit
The 52 card deck is divided into 4 groups of 13 cards. They are spades, diamonds, clubs and hearts.

Suited
Two or more cards of the same suit.

Suited connectors
Two consecutive cards of the same suit. Eg. 8 and 9 of hearts (8-9suited).

Swing hand
A hand in a high-low game that has a chance to win both the high and the low ends of the pot.

T Back to top

t
A chat term, "thanks".

Table image
How others perceive your play at a table. You can create a table image to win pots later in the game. Eg. Playing very tight so that when you bluff later in the game, players will believe your 'tight' image and fold thinking that you must have a very good hand.

Tell
An act or gesture that might indicate how strong or weak your opponents hand might be. Usually used to describe giving information away on the strength or weakness of your hand involuntarily.

Texas Holdem
The most popular variation of poker today. See Texas Holdem rules.

The hammer
A slang term sometimes used for 7 2 unsuited, (7 - 2). It is the worst possible starting hand.

Third street
In stud games the third card dealt to each player.

Three flush
An unmade hand of three cards of the same suit.

Three Kings
A slang term sometimes used for King 3 (K-3).

Three of a kind
Three cards of the same rank. Eg. Three fours (4-4-4).

Three Wise Men
Three of a kind, kings (K-K-K).

Tight
A player who only plays premium hands and does not get involved in many pots. Tight players rarely bluff and generally only call or raise with strong hands.

Tilt
Playing differently than usual because, for one reason or another, you have become emotionally upset.

TNT
A slang term sometimes used for a pair of tens (T T).

tnx
A chat term, "thanks".

Top pair
A pair using one of your hole cards to match the highest card on the board.

Trey
A term often used for a three (3).

Trips
A term sometimes used for three of a kind. Eg. Three fives (5-5-5).

Trombones
A slang term sometimes used for 7 6 (7-6). Derives from the song 76 Trombones.

tu
A chat term, "thank you".

Turn
The 4th community card to be dealt in Texas Holdem. Also called 'fourth street'.

Twiggy
A slang term sometimes used for 2 9 (2-9).

Two flush
Two cards of the same suit.

Two pair
Two cards of the same rank, plus another two cards of the same rank.

Two Pips
A slang term sometimes used for two Aces (A-A).

tx
A chat term, "thanks".

tyvm
A chat term, "thank you very much".

U Back to top

ul
A chat term, "unlucky".

Uncalled bet
A bet that has not been called, thereby winning the pot.

Under the gun
The first player to act preflop. The player directly to the left of the big blind in Texas Holdem.

Union Oil
A slang term sometimes used for 7 6 (7-6). Derives from the symbol of the oil company.

Upcard
A card that can be seen by all the players in a game.

V Back to top

vul
A chat term, "Very unlucky".

Velvet hammer
A slang term sometimes used for 7 2 suited, (7-2).

vn
A chat term, "very nice".

vn1
A chat term, "very nice one".

vnh
A chat term, "very nice hand".

vvn
A chat term, "very, very nice".

vvnh
A chat term, "very, very nice hand".

W Back to top

Wager
A bet.

Wait for the big blind
When you join a cash game you usually have the option to wait for the big blind to come to your seat to join the game.

Walk
If nobody calls or bets in a game, then the big blind wins the small and big blind uncontested.

Walking sticks.
A slang term sometimes used for 7 7 (7-7).

wb
A chat term, "welcome back".

wcp
A chat term, "world class player" or "world class play".

Weak
A term to describe poor poker players.

Weinberg
A slang term sometimes used for T 3 (T-3).

Wheel
A slang term sometimes used for a 5 high straight. Eg. A-2-3-4-5.

Wild card
Rarely used online, a wild card is a card that can represent any other card in the deck of the players choice.

Woolworth
A slang term sometimes used for 5 10 (5-10).

WSOP
World Series of Poker.

Y Back to top

yhs
A chat term, "your hand sucks".

yw
A chat term, "you're welcome".

Other useful pages:-

Online Chat Terms	Hand Names / Slang
Basic Poker Rules	Hand Rankings