ABC
A term used to describe the first three cards in Razz and High-Low Split, when they are an Ace, Deuce and Trey.
Ace-to-Five Lowball
See California Lowball.
Aces Full
A five card poker hand that consists of a full house comprising 3 aces and any other pair.
Aces Up
A five card poker hand that contains two pairs one of which is aces.
Action
Gambling or loose betting: “The action was tremendous.” “I want some of that action.” “Give me some action.”
Active Player
A player still involved in the pot.
Advertise
To bluff with the intention of having the bluff seen by other players in order to get them to call a future bet that’s not a bluff.
Agent
Confederate (in a cheating scheme). Also see Mechanic.
All-in (or “Go all-in”)
To bet all the money you have on the table.
All-In Protection“Anti-billionaire” rule, the concept that you cannot be “bet out of,” or be eliminated from, a pot just because you have run out of money on the table. For example, if the pot has $165 in it and you have only $79 left, you may call that portion of your opponents $200 bet by putting all $79 of your chips in the pot. If you win the pot, you can win the whole $165 main pot and $79 of his $200.
Anything Opens
A Draw Poker game where specific Openers are not required. Therefore, a player can open the pot with any hand he wants. Such a games is almost always Pass Out.
Ante
An initial sum of money, placed in the pot by each player wishing to participate in the hand.
Automatic Bluff
A bluff, usually in Lowball, that’s made without thinking about it because of a particular situation. Depending on the circumstances this kind of bluff will almost always be made regardless of a player’s hand value.
Baby
A term used (especially in Razz and High-Low Split) to describe a small card, that is, one that has a value of Five or less.
Back Door
When a player makes a hand he wasn’t originally drawing at.
Back-to-Back
See Wired.
Backer
Generally a rich amateur who supplies a professional Gambler with a playing bankroll. However, another professional can also (and often does) back a professional who is “Down on his Luck” - that is, out of money.
See Play-Back.
Bad Beat
When you get a big hand cracked (beaten) by someone who was a big dog against you and made his longshot draw…you’re said to have had a bad beat.
Banker
Player at a table who is responsible for passing out the chips and keeping track of the money and credit.
Bankroll
Amount of money you have that you will risk on Poker or any other endeavour.
Barber-pole
A way of stacking your chips so that they are mixed/disguised, so as to confuse the opposition. This is not usually allowed in tournament play unless the player has fewer than 5 chips.
Barn
Full house
Beat The Board
Having a hand that can beat any other hand that’s in sight.
Belly-Buster Straight
Used interchangeably with “inside” Straight.
Bet
To initiate the betting after a new card is dealt. When no one has bet in front of you, and it is your turn to act, you may bet or check.
Bet The Pot
To bet an amount equal to the pot.
Betting Round
Betting that occurs from the time that a new card is dealt until the action is complete.
Bet Into
To take the initiative in the betting action with the knowledge that your opponent has a potentially strong hand.
Betting The Pot
To bet the total amount of money in the pot in a Pot Limit (or No-Limit) game.
Bicycle
The lowest possible hand in Lowball. In Ace-to-Five, A-2-3-4-5 is called a Bicycle. In Deuce-to-Seven, 2-3-4-5-7 is called a Bicycle.
Big Blind
The second (or possibly third) and largest Blind bet in a game that has multiple Blinds.
Big Dog
A big underdog to win the pot. Also see Dog.
Big Full
The highest possible Full House in Hold ’em.
Big Hand
A hand with a relatively high value such as a Full House
Or
A hand with a big draw, meaning that it has excellent possibilities of winning the pot. For example, flopping a Straight Flush draw in Hold ’em.
Big One
$1000.
Big Money Streets
In Limit Poker, the betting rounds in which the bets are doubled. For example, in a $10-$20-limit game the big money streets are the rounds when you bet $20.
Bike
See Bicycle.
Black Chip
A Casino chip with a value of $100.
Blank
A term often used in Hold ‘em to describe a card that came on Fourth Street or Fifth Street and is not of any value to a player’s hand.
Blind
The bet that opens the pot that a player puts in before he receives his cards.
Blind Raise
When a player raises without looking at their hand.
Bluff
Bet that conveys to others a stronger hand than that which you actually have.
Board
The cards that are face-up in a Poker game. For example, the up-cards in Seven-Stud are referred to as a players Board, and the community cards in Hold ‘em are also called the Board.
Boat
Full house
Bobtail
See Open-End Straight.
Bottom Dealer
A card manipulator (Cheat) who can deal cards off the bottom of the deck. Also see Second Dealer.
Bottom Pair
When a player uses the lowest board card to create a pair with one of their own cards.
Bounty Tournament
A standard tournament with the addition of certain players carrying monetary bounties on their heads. Whoever knocks them out claims the bounty money.
BR
Bankroll.
Break
To draw a card instead of playing Pat. This term is often used in Lowball when, for example, a player who intended to play a “Nine” pat, throws away the Nine to draw one card to try to improve his hand. What he did was break the nine.
Break-It-In-For
The first optional bet in any Poker game.
Bring In
The forced bet made on the first round of betting by the player who is dealt the lowest card showing in 7 card stud.
Broken Fall
A Flop where a Straight cannot be made on the next card. For example, Q-7-2.
Broomcorn’s Uncle
Player who is blinded or anted out of a tournament.
Bubble
Placing just outside the money in a tournament and walking away empty handed.
Bull The Game
A very aggressive player is one that would be bulling the game, that is, creating a lot of action by his continuous betting and raising.
Bullet
An Ace.
Bump
A very amateurish term used instead of the word “raise”.
Burn And Turn
To burn (or bury) the top card and give the active players their card(s).
Or
Usually said by the last player to act on his hand, indicating he also checks.
Bust Out
Miss your hand completely.
Or
Lose all your money.
Bring-In-Bet
Forced bet in Stud games; the bet that starts the action. The bring-in bet is usually about 25% of a full bet, and is made, on the first round of betting, by the highest board card or the lowest board card depending on the Stud variation.
Bubble
Last non-paying spot in a Poker tournament. For example, 19th place in a tournament that pays 18 players.
Building A Pot
Raising in order to increase the amount of money in the pot.
Button
When there is a house dealer, a Button is put in front of a player to show that he is the theoretical dealer. The Button is passed to each player in clockwise order.
Or
Second or Third Pair.
Buy-in
The minimum amount of money necessary to secure a seat in a particular game.
By Me
A common, though amateurish, expression that means the player checks or passes or drops out of the pot.
California (Ace-to-Five) Lowball
A form of Lowball in which the best possible hand is an A-2-3-4-5. In this form of Lowball, which is often played with the Joker (which can be used as any value), the Ace is considered a low card and Straights and Flushes do not count against you.
Call
To put money in the pot that’s exactly equal to the previous bet or raise.
Calling Someone Down
Calling all of another player’s bets, because you have a better hand.
Calling Station
A Sucker who’s next-to-impossible to bluff and who’ll call almost any bet that you make is said to be a calling station.
Capped
Used to describe a pot with the maximum number of bets allowed in a Limit Poker game on any given betting round. A capped pot in Las Vegas has five bets; a capped pot in Los Angeles has four bets.
Cards Speak
A form of High-Low Poker in which there are no declarations as to whether the player wants to play his hand for High or Low. That is, the cards speak for themselves.
Case Card
The last card of a particular rank. For example, if you catch an Ace after the other three Aces are in the discards, then you have caught the case ace.
Case Chips
A players last chips.
Cash Out
To leave a game and convert your chips to cash.
Catch Perfect
A situation in Hold ‘em (or another form of Poker) where there’s only one (or two) card(s) that’ll win the pot. Since no other card(s) will help you, you must Catch Perfect.
Catching A Card
Having a card come that was one of the ones required to win a pot.
Catch-Up
When you must improve your hand so that it’ll be approximately equal to your opponent’s.
Change Gears
Adjusting your style of play from loose to tight or vice versa.
Chase
Trying to beat hand you know is better than yours.
Check
To not bet. When no one has bet yet, you also have the option not to bet, without folding your hand.
Check Blind (or Check Dark)
To check your hand without looking at it. (Many players claim to Check Blind when, in fact they have looked at their hand.)
Check-Raise
To check and then raise when the action gets back to you. (To do this, of course, a bet must be made after you check.)
Chip (or “Check”)A plastic or clay token having various denominations used in place of cash money.
Chip And Chair
Phrase used when someone has only a couple of chips left in a tournament.
Chop
To return the blind bets to the player who posted them, when no other players elect to call in a hands first betting round.
Cinch Hand
See Nuts.
Closed Poker
Poker as played when all the cards are concealed, as in Draw Poker.
Coffee Housing
An attempt, by words or actions, to confuse, mislead or misdirect another player or players in the pot with you.
Coin Toss
An all-in situation where both players have an equal chance of winning.
Cold Call (or “Call Cold”)When a player who has no money invested in the pot besides the ante calls a raise and a re-raise.
“Cold” Deck
A term often used to describe the deck by the players who feel they’re not getting enough playable or winning hands.
“Cold Deck”A deck that has been previously set up (that is, the card have been previously arranged) by an individual with the intention of cheating.
Collusion
When to or more players conspire to cheat in a game of poker.
Come Through a Player
In a three (or more) handed pot when the first player to act bets, he is coming through the player(s) in the next seat(s).
Commission
See Vigorish.
Community Card
Card which is used by each player at the table.
Complete Bluff
A bluff made with a completely worthless and, as opposed to a semi-bluff that’s made with a hand that has slight potential.
Complete Hand
A hand such as a Straight, a Flush or a Full House. Also see Pat Hand.
Completing The Bet
In Stud variations, raising the bring-in bet to one whole bet.
Concealed Pair
A Pair where both cards are face-down.
Confederate
See Agent.
Country Straight
An open-end Straight to draw to. For example, 9-10-J-Q would be a Country Straight.
Courtesy Bet
A bet (usually a bluff) when you’re fairly sure your opponent is going to call or raise.
Cowboy (K-Boy)
A word sometimes used to describe a King.
Crack The Nut
When a Professional Gambler meets his minimum living expenses he is said to have Cracked the Nut. See Nut.
Crippled The Deck
A deck that has almost nothing left in it that can help your opponent’s (or your) hand. For example, if you had a Pair of Aces in Hold ‘em and the other two Aces flopped…you would have Crippled the Deck.
Crying Call
To complain while making a call.
Cut
1. To separate the deck into portions (usually in half) after it has been shuffled.
2. See Rake as in “to cut the pot”.
Cutting Out
When two people have formed a partnership and one player is going to do the playing while the other player is on the sidelines, and at some point one of these two people involved decides to terminate the partnership, that person is said to be cutting out.
Dead Bet
A non-active bet or penalty fee, which is placed in the pot, but which the other players at the table are not required to refer to.
Dead Card
The opposite of Live Card.
Dead Hand
A hand that’s not playable - for example, one that as too many or too few cards.
Dead In The Pot
When there is no way for you to win, you’re said to be dead in the pot.
Deal
Giving out the cards to the players and board, throughout an entire hand.
Dealer
The player who actually, or representatively, distributes the cards to the players at the table.
Dealer’s Choice
Poker as usually played in a Home game where the deal passes from player to player and the player who has the deal makes the decision as to what form of Poker will be played.
Declare
State whether you are going for a high or low hand.
Defensive Bet
A bet that’s sometimes made to limit you potential loss in a particular pot. For example, a player wants to see his opponent’s hand, but he feels that if he checks, his opponent would bet too large an amount to call and he won’t be able to see his opponent’s hand which he may be able to beat. Therefore rather than having to call a large bet, he makes a defensive small bet.
Deuce
Two. A two-spot.
Deuce-to-Seven Lowball
A form of Lowball played primarily in the South and Southwestern part of the United States in which the best hand is a 2-3-4-5-7. That hand would be the nuts. In this form of Lowball, the Ace can only be considered a high card and Straights and Flushes do count against you. Also called “Kansas City” Lowball.
Dog
Abbreviation for (and more commonly used among Gamblers than) Underdog. The opposite of Favourite.
To not merely lay-down your hand, but to lay-down (get bluffed) when you have the best hand.
Dollar (or $1)
The name High Rollers have given to $100.
Door Card
1. The card (almost always a Baby) that a player will sometimes intentionally expose (or simply flash) in a Draw (closed) Poker game such as Lowball. Also see Window Card.
2. The first up-card in Stud gane.
Double Belly Buster
A two-way inside Straight.
Double-Pop
When you immediately raise a raiser you’ve double-popped it. That is, re-raising so the next player must call two bets.
Double Through
To double the amount of chips you have on the table by winning a pot from another player. Similarly, “Triple Through” would be to triple your chips in winning a pot from two other players. (This is a term that is used more commonly in No-Limit Play.)
Double Up
To increase your chip stack 100%
Down-Card(s)
The card(s) dealt face-down in a Stud Poker game.
Down The River
1. The last card received face-down in Seven-Card Stud or Razz.
2. Another name for Seven Card Stud.
Down To The Green
Means that you’ve got all your chips and money in the pot and your Down to the Green felt table-top.
Draw
Situation in which a player needs only one card to complete a hand.
Drawing Dead
Drawing to hand that it would be impossible to win with, regardless of the card or cards drawn. Also known as dead in the pot.
Drawing Hand
A presently worthless hand which has the potential to become a strong hand. i.e. Four cards of a straight or flush.
Draw-Out
To improve your hand and beat an opponent who had a better hand prior to the draw-out.
Driver’s Seat
The advantage a particular player has because it appears as though he has the best hand at the time. That player is said to be in the Driver’s Seat.
Drop
See Lay-Down.
Drop-In
A stranger in a game played among a regular group of players is called a drop-in.
Duck
See Lay-Down.
Duplicates
In Lowball games two cards of the same rank. For example, 8-7-4-4-2, the 2-Fours are Duplicates.
Eagle
World class Poker player.
Early, Middle and Late Position
The early positions in a eight handed game are the first three players to act on their hand, the middle positions are the next three and the late positions are the last two.
Elephant
Player who plays too many hands and calls too many bets.
Endgame
Strategy pertaining to the last five players or fewer left in a tournament.
Even Money Pot
Used to describe a pot in which a player’s chance of winning is 50%
Exposed Pair
An open Pair that is in-sight.
Fall
See Flop.
False Cut
A Cut that appears to be real, but actually leaves the deck in it’s original arrangement.
False Openers
A hand that does not have the proper opening requirements.
False Shuffle
A shuffle that appears to be a real one but, in fact, does not really get the cards shuffled at all when it’s done by a skilful card manipulator.
Family Pot
A pot in which most of the players at the table are involved in.
Fast Game
See Pace.
Favourite
The player with the highest probability of winning the hand (or winning, period). The opposite of Dog.
Fifth Street
1. In Stud Poker, the fifth card dealt to each player.
2. In Hold ‘em the last community card that is dealt.
Fill
To draw a card that will make a complete hand. Foe example, to Fill a Straight or a Flush or to improve Two-Pair to a Full-House.
Fish
Player who doesn’t know how to play.
Flat Call
Calling a previous bet without raising.
Flat Limit
A limit that remains constant on each round of betting. (This is opposed to a limit that is increased during the latter rounds of betting.)
Floorman
A Supervisor in a Casino or in a Poker Room.
Flop
A Hold ’em term describing the first three community cards that are turned.
Flopping a Set
In Hold ‘em when out of three community cards (or Flop) and your two hole cards, three of the cards are of the same rank.
Flush
Five cards of the same suit in no special order, such as A-7-3-10-2 - All Clubs. This would be a Ace-High Flush which would be higher than any other Flush in any other suit whose highest card is lower than an Ace, except for a Straight Flush. If, the highest card in the Flushes of two opponents is the same, the hand would be counted down to the next highest card to see which Flush is higher. This continues in case there is still a tie until it’s counted down to the final card of the hand to determine the higher Flush.
Flush Draw
Situation in which a player has four cards of the same suit, thus needing only one more of that suit to make a flush hand.
Fold
See Lay-Down.
Force (or “The Force”)
See Blind.
Foul Hand
See Dead Hand.
Four-Flush
To have four cards of a suit with cards yet to come.
Four-of-a-Kind
Four cards of the same rank with a side card, such as four Jacks and a Seven.
Fourth Street
1. In Stud Poker, the fourth card dealt to each player.
2. In Hold ‘em the fourth community card dealt. The card after the Flop.
Free-Card
A card that’s received by each active player without any money being put into the pot because all active players check on that round of play.
Free-Ride
See Free-Card.
Freeroll
1. In High-Low Split where one player has one half of the pot cinched and is competing for the other half.
2. In Hold e’m where two players have the same hand except one of the two has suited cards with one (or two) of his suit on the Board. The suited hand would have a free roll.
3. Describing a situation in which you are sure to win but also have the opportunity to win a greater amount.
Freeze-Out
A game such as the “World Series of Poker” that’s played down to one winner. An additional requirement of a Freeze-Out game is that no player can add more money to his original Buy-In. So, when a player loses all his money, he’s out of the game and cannot get back in. Such a game requires different playing strategy than the one you’d used in a normal game where you can buy-in as often as you want.
Front Seat
The first player to act on his hand.
Full Boat
See Full House.
Full House
Three cards of the same rank (Trips) and one Pair, such as 3-Fives and 2-Sevens.
Gambler
An unusual way this word is often use is to describe the class (that is, the quality) of a Poker player. When the word is used this way it describes the highest class of player - which actually means that the player is not a Gambler at all, but a highly skilled player, Also see Rounder, Hustler and Minnow.
Game Theory
Tactics for a particular game.
Garbage
Weak hand.
Gar Hole
An unusual term to describe the situation where chips in the game are “locked up”, that is, they’re in the stack of a tight, tough player and will be difficult to get back into the game.
Gardena Miracle
1. A very lucky draw.
2. Something that defies the laws of probabilities.
Gardena Razz
A form of Draw Lowball played in the Gardena, California Poker Clubs in which a Button (placed in front of a particular player) is used to identify the winner of the previous pot. That player is the last person to act before the draw in the current pot (even though he may not be the last player to receive cards).
Geese
See Sucker.
Getting a Hand Cracked
The situation that occurs when you have a Big Hand beaten when an opponent makes a big draw-out.
Getting An Extra Bet
In Limit Poker only, the art of extracting more money from your opponent by check-raising him.
Give A Card
To let your opponent get another card without betting him.
Go To The Centre
See Move-In.
Go Uphill
See Chase.
Grinder
A player who prefers to play with minimal risk and modest gains over a long period of time.
Ground Skinner
Where all the players on a table fold their blinds leaving the Big Blind to pick up the pot uncontested.
Gut-Shot
See Belly-Buster.
Hand
Refers to your cards, or the process of dealing the cards until the winning of the pot. “That hand took a while.”
Heads-Up (or “Head-To-Head”)
A Poker game involving only two players.
Help
To improve one’s hand.
High Hand
Hand that is competing for the high side of the pot.
Hi/Lo Poker
Any game of poker in which the pot is split between the highest and lowest hands. It is possible to have a hand that wins both, for example, A-2-3-4-5 is a straight, but is also (in most forms of poker) considered the lowest hand.
High Roller
A Gambler who plays for big sums of money.
High Society Chips
Poker chip worth $100
Hit
As in “the Ace of Spades hit” (came on the Board) on Fourth Street.
Hit A Card
Catch a good card or a card which wins you the pot.
Hit It
To Raise
Hit The Deck
Draw a card or cards.
Hold ‘em
The worlds most popular Poker game. Each player has two cards face down, and the players share the five community cards face up in the middle of the table. The best five card hand wins.
Hold-Out
To conceal card or cards for the purpose of bringing them into the game for future use. This is a somewhat common form of cheating.
Hole Cards
Player’s private face down cards that only he can see.
Hook
A word that is sometimes used to describe a Jack.
Horse (HORSE)
Game in which you play equal numbers of hands (or equal lengths of time) in five different games. The games are Hold ‘em, Omaha Eight or Better (High-Low Split), Razz (Seven Card Low), Seven Card Stud, and Seven Card Stud High-Low Split (E = Eight or better).
Hot and Cold
In any form of Poker, playing one hand against the other (with no intermediate betting) until all the cards are out. It’s simply showdown and is often done among gamblers when they disagree as to which of the hands is the favourite…and by how much. The dispute is resolved by betting - even or with odds. The two hands are then playing Hot and Cold for a pre-determined number of times - or until one of the gamblers quit because he’s lost as much as he cares to lose. At that point, he’s at least temporarily convince he had the wrong side of the proposition.
Hustler
See Rounder.
Ignorant End Of a Straight
The lowest possible Straight. For example, when you have a 7-6 in the pocket in Hold ’em and the Flop comes 8-9-10, you flopped the ignorant (low-end) of the straight.
Implied Odds
Odds a player factors into his calculation of pot odds to account for being called if you complete your hand.
Inside Straight
See Belly-buster.
In the dark
Betting before seeing the flop
Or
Placing a bet, without looking at pocket cards.
In The Lead
A player who’s aggressive and one who does the first betting on each round is the player said to be in the lead.
In The Middle
A player in a position between the original on his right and a potential raiser on his left. This is the worst possible that a player can be in during the play of a hand.
In The Pocket
Hole cards.
Insurance
A side bet (fairly common in No-Limit Hold ‘em) that’s usually made between the two players involved in the pot or between one of the many players involved and an “Insurance Man” who may (or may not be) an active player. In fact, the Insurance Man is often a spectator (Professional gambler) who “Books” the bet. Also see Taking the Insurance.
Jackal
Crazy, seemingly illogical player who makes a lot of bets and raises.
Jackpot Poker
A form of poker in which the cardroom or casino pays a jackpot to any player who does not win the pot whilst holding a very high valued hand (usually Aces Full or better).
Jacks-and-Back
A form of Jacks-or-better Draw Poker that will revert to Lowball if no player can open the pot for High.
Jam
A jam pot is one in which several players are raising and re-raising.
Joker
In Poker parlance, refers to the perfect card.
Judgement Fold
Folding a hand on the basis of your read of all factors.
Juice
1. Referring to favourable pot odds.
2. A bookmaker or Insurance Man’s vigorish.
Jump The Fence
See Call Cold.
Kansas City Lowball
See Deuce-to-Seven Lowball.
Key Card
One particular card, which gives the player a big draw or makes his hand.
Key Hand
In a session or tournament, the one particular hand that marks a turning point for the player, for better or for worse.
Kibitzer
Spectator. Also see Railbird.
Kicker
Side card
Kick It
Raise.
Kicker Trouble
When you and your opponent have the same pair, the player with the smallest side card is said to have kicker trouble.
Killing It
When someone doubles the usual Blind Bet before receiving his cards.
Knock
Check.
Knuckle It
1. Pass
2. Rapping Pat
Lady
Sometimes used to describe a Queen.
Late Position
In Hold ‘em and Omaha, refers to the player on the button , and the two players to the right of the button.
Lay-Down
1. To show your hand at the conclusion of a pot.
2. To discard one’ hand after having decided against calling a big bet. (A more useful meaning of the term.)
Laying Insurance
See Taking Insurance.
Lead Off
See Bring-It-In-For.
Leak
Something wrong with someone’s playing technique or strategy.
Leather Ass
Patience.
Legging a Hand
See Slow Play.
Light
See Sky.
Limit Poker
Variations of Poker in which the amounts of the bets are preset, in contrast No-Limit Poker, where you can bet any amount at any time.
Limp In
To call a bet.
Lineup
The players in a particular game.
Lion
Very tough, consistently winning Poker player.
Little Blind
The first and smallest Blind bet in a game that has multiple Blinds.
Live Blind
A Blind that has the option to raises when the action gets back to him. See Blind.
Live Card
A card that has not been dealt (or seen), that is, a card that’s still in play.
Live Hand
Hand that hasn’t been folded or declared folded.
Live One
A rich Sucker.
Local
A permanent Las Vegas resident.
Lock
See Nuts.
Locksmith
A tight player who “peddles the nuts”.
Looking Down His Throat
Knowing that it’s impossible for your opponent to beat the hand that you have, that is, you have nutted.
Looking Out of the Window
An expression used to describe a player who is not paying attention to the action.
Loose Player
A player who tends to play most hands, weak or strong, and gets involved in many pots.
Lowball or Low Poker
A form of Draw Poker (or any form of Poker) in which the lowest hand wins the pot.
Made Hand
Complete hand that is a straight or better.
Main Pot
A pot in which the money has been contributed by three or more players and at least one player is out of money so that there has to be a “side pot” between the two players who still have money. The player out of money has a stake in the main pot only.
Majority Play
Term used to refer to certain hands of Hold ‘em, including all pairs, A-x suited, and K-Q.
Make A Play
See Put A Play On.
Maniac
A very aggressive player who plays lots of hand.
Marginal Play Hand
Somewhat weak hand that should not be played according to odds.
Matching A Card
A card that will be integrally related to a card in your hand such as one with same value or in the same suit. Specifically, a card in your hand in Hold ‘em that will “match” one (or more) of the community cars out on the Board.
Mechanic
A card cheat who is able to manipulate the cards to his advantage or to the advantage of a confederate (friend).
Minnow
A player who over-extends his bankroll in order to play in a big Limit (or No-Limit) game.
Miss The Flop
Where your two hole cards in Hold ‘em have no correlation to the first three community cards.
Money Game
Non-tournament game, or side game. Participants in a money game play for cash.
Money Management
A term used by a Professional Poker Player to describe one of the following:
1. The handling (control) of the money (his bankroll) necessary to conduct a (Professional) Poker business.
2. The handling (control) of the money necessary to engage in a particular playing session.
Mortal NutsSee Nuts.
MouseSuper-tight player who has a strong hand when they bet.
Move-In/Move All-In
In a No-Limit game, making a bet with all the chips you have on the table. Also Set Him All-In.
Muck
As a noun this refers to the pile of folded and discarded cards. As a verb, used at showdown time, it means the act of returning a losing hand to the dealer face down.
Multi-way Pot
Hand in which more than one opponent is involved.
Nail
To catch a card that enables you to win the pot; especially, to catch a card on Fifth Street in Hold ‘em or Down the River in Seven-Card Stud.
Nickel Chip
A Casino Chip with a value of $5.
No Limit
Variation in Poker games in which players can bet as much as they want, as opposed to Limit Poker, where there is an established betting structure.
No Limit Hold ‘em
Often referred to as the Cadillac of Poker. Players may bet any amount at any time.
No Pair
A hand with five totally unrelated cards.
Nosebleed
Metaphor used to describe high-stakes Poker in which players can lose large amounts of money very quickly.
Number Two Man (Second Dealer)
A Card Cheat capable of dealing Seconds. See Seconds.
Nut
The minimum amount of money a professional Gambler must make to continue his current life style, that is, his overhead.
Nut Boat
Best possible full house in the game.
Nut Player
A player who tends to play only Nut hands. This descriptive term is used primarily in Hold ‘em, but can be applied to a player in any form of Poker.
Nuts
1. The best possible hand at that point in the pot.
2. An absolute cinch hand.
Off-Suit
A term often used to describe the first two cards in Hold ‘em when they are not of the same suit.
Omaha
A name used interchangeably with Tight Hold ‘em - a game which differs from regular Hold ‘em in that both of a player’s hole cards must be used to make a complete hand. (In regular Hold ‘em a player may use both hole cards but can only use one of them and four of the Board cards.)
On the button
Being in the dealer’s position and acting last.
On The Come
To bet on a hand with potential as opposed to betting on a hand that is complete. For example, a player might bet on the come if he was drawing one card to a Straight-Flush.
On The EndOn the last card or last round of betting.
On The BankIf you’re not involved in the pot, you’re said to be On The Bank.
On Tilt
When a player starts playing really bad (loses his composure) - usually after he’s lost one (or more) big pots…he’s said to be On Tilt.
One Pair
Two cards of the same rank with three Side Cards such as two Tens, an Ace, a Nine and a Four.
One Tooth
A Lowball term meaning the second best hand possible.
One Way Action
When you and only one player are involved.
Open-End Straight
A four-card hand where a Straight is possible on either end such as a 4-5-6-7.
Open Poker
Poker as played when some of the cards are exposed.
Open A Hand
Be the first bettor.
Open Ended Straight Draw
Draw in which a player can hit two different cards to complete a straight. For example, a player with 8-9-10-J has an open ended straight draw because he will hit the straight if either a 7 or a Q hit.
Outdraw
See Draw-Out.
Outprice
Gigantic favourite, or gigantic underdog.
Outs
When you’re in a pot with the worst hand, but can still win it because there are cards in the deck that’ll help your hand, you have Outs. Also see Drawing Dead.
Overbet
A term used to describe a bet that’s out of proportion (much bigger than) the size of a pot in a No-Limit game.
Overcall
To call a bet (usually a big one) after another player or players have already called.
Overcard (Sometimes Called “Overcoat”)
A card that’s higher than any card showing. For example, you have an ace in your hand in Hold ‘em and the highest card on Board is a King; the Ace is an Overcard.
Overhead
See Nut.
Overpair
A Pair In The Pocket in Hold ‘em that’s higher than any card on the Board.
Over The Top
Refers to situations in which a player re-raises an opponent. This term is usually used in No Limit Hold ‘em .
Pace
The speed at which the action (betting) is occurring. The pace of a game would be slow when there’s not much betting and raising. Conversely, a fast game would be one in which most or all of the players are doing a lot of playing, that is, betting and raising.
Paint
A Face-Card - a Jack, Queen or King.
Pair
Two of a Kind such as Q-Q.
Pair Poker
Someone who disdains drawing at Straights and Flushes is said to be playing Pair Poker.
Paper
Marked Cards.
Partners
1. Two or more players teaming up in a particular game to beat the other players by cheating with pre-arranged signals.
2. Two or more players, playing (honestly) out of the same bankroll.
Pass and Back In
1. To be able to check in the first round in a Draw game. If anyone opens, you are allowed to call.
2. Opposite of Pass Out.
Pass Out
A Draw game where you must open the pot or throw your hand away.
Pat Hand
A hand that’s complete or one that a player does not draw to.
Peacocking
A way of positioning one’s chips in a flamboyant manner so as to give the illusion of having more chips. Lower denominations are placed in stacks, with higher denominations on top. Only those closest to the “peacocker” can spot this.
Peddle The Nuts To Him
Selling (or trying to sell) a cinch hand to a Calling Station.
Peek
The cheating maneuver of a Second Dealer when he looks (peeks) at the top card to see if it will be of any value to him. If it is, he’ll save it and deal Seconds to the other players. Also see Mechanic.
Picked Off
To get called when you are bluffing.
Pick-Up
Win a (relatively small pot without a contest.
Piece of Cheese
1. Something very easy.
2. A very bad hand.
Pip
Lose a pot in a very close hand.
Play
1. To sit in on a Poker game.
2. To get involved in a particular pot.
3. To do something dramatic or creative during a particular hand: To make a play.
Play-Back
Re-raise (or back raise.)
Play Behind
In some games, a player can declare (before the beginning of the hand) that he’s actually playing for more money than he has on the table and in such a case that player is said to be Playing Behind.
Play From The Hip
A player who plays fast at the beginning of a game, before he is winner or loser.
Player
Someone who understands the sophisticated techniques and strategies of the form of Poker being played and is also willing to gamble.
Playing Over
A player may leave his seat temporarily and go eat, for example, and another player may occupy that temporarily vacant seat. The new player is said to be Playing Over the player who left for dinner.
Playing the board
Using all the community cards in Hold’em as your best hand.
Plays Jam-Up
Plays very well.
Plunging Around
Playing very loose.
Pocket Cards
See Hole Cards.
Pocket Pair
Pair in a player’s facedown cards such as J-J.
Position
Not your seat in the game, but where you are relative to the other active players in a particular pot.
Post
Put up an Ante.
Post Oak BluffA very small bet in a large pot… in the hopes the other man doesn’t have anything and will give you the pot. Originated from a tight player trying to bluff at a pot when he didn’t have enough guts to make a big bet and really trying to win it.
Pot
1. The total amount of money bet.
2. An imaginary area somewhere near the centre of the table that’s generally without physical boundaries and where the bets of the players are placed.
Pot Limit
Variations of Poker games in which the maximum bet a player can make is equal to the size of the pot at the time the player acts.
Pot Odds
The price (odds) that the pot is giving you on your investment (call). See Right Price.
Premium Hands
The top hands in a particular game.
Private Game
A Poker game restricted to certain members of a club or fraternal organization or one that’s played among friends only (as opposed to a Public Game).
Protection
Having a hand in High-Low Split that protects you from being scooped.
Public Game
A Poker game that’s open to anyone and one that’s generally played in a specific area of a casino called “the Poker Room” or in a public facility such as the legal Poker Clubs in California.
Puck
Button.
Pumped Up
1. An elated feeling, usually after winning a big pot.
2. To have money.
Put A Play On
When you Put A Play On a player, what you’re trying to do is out-maneuver him by strategically timing your bet. You should only attempt a strategy play against a strong player.
Put The Clock On Him
Any player can make the request to Put The Clock On Him if he feels another player is taking too much time to Call his bet. In No-Limit games, there’s (almost) always a stop-watch at the table. After the dealer (or Card Room Manager) starts the watch, the deliberating player has one minute to make the Call. If his money isn’t in the pot at the end of that time, he’s considered to have passed.
Qualify Low
Make a low hand that is entitled to win half the pot in a high low split game. Usually an 8 low is a qualifying low.
Quarter Chip
A Casino Chip with a value of $25.
Rabbit-Hunting
1. Asking to see what the next card coming off the deck is after you’ve folded your hand.
2. Looking through the discards to see what cards have been dealt. This is something that’s never done in a professional game while the hand is still in play, but in a Home game, it’s a somewhat common practice.
Rack (Of Chips)
Container that holds 1000 chips. Sometime used to describe the amount won or lost.
Rag
This term is often used in Hold ‘em to describe the cards on the Flop that look “raggedy”. For example, if the Flop was a 2s 5c 10d, then a player who plays Hold ‘em regularly would probably describe that particular Flop as “three Rags”. Also see Blank.
Rail
A physical barrier that can be of wood or simply a velvet rope that separates on-lookers from players in the game.
Railbird
An On-Looker. See Rail.
Raise
To make a bet with more (total dollar amount of) chips than a previous bet.
Rake
The percentage extracted from the pot by a House dealer. Also see Time.
Ram and Jam
Raise and re-raise as much as you can.
Rapping Pat
This term is used in Draw Poker. A player who decides to play the original five cards he was dealt and not draw any cards is Rapping Pat.
Rat-Hole
To put chips (or money) in your pocket during a game.
Razz
Seven-Card Stud for Low. Also a form of Draw Lowball in Gardena.
Read
Making an educated guess as to what an opposing player’s hand is. Also putting a player on a particular hand.
Readers
See Paper.
Re-Raise
Raise someone who has raised.
Releasing A Set
To throw away Trips when you think they are beat.
Represent
To make it appear that you have a hand that you really don’t.
Re-Stealing
Re-raising a player who you believe is making a steal (he’s weak), to try to bluff him out of a hand.
Right Price
When you’re getting (exactly) the right pot odds on the money you have put in the pot (or exactly the proper odds on any bet you make).
Ring Game
A Poker game that has a player in every seat, that is, a full game (as opposed to a Short-Handed game).
River Card
The last (or 7th) card dealt face down to a player in Razz or Seven-Stud.
Rock (or Hard Rock)
A very good player. Usually a very tight player also.
Rolled Up
An expression in Seven-Card Stud when the first three cards are of the same rank. For example, three Rolled Up Jacks.
Rough
A term often used to describe a Lowball hand. For example, an 8-7-6-5-3 would be a rough Eight. An 8-4-3-2-1 would be a smooth Eight. Another example: an 8-7-3-2-1 that’s rough because the Seven is in the hand, but it gets smooth after the Seven.
Rounder
A very good Professional Poker Player who makes the “Rounds” of various games. However a Rounder is a lower class of player than a Gambler.
Royal Flush
The highest ranking Straight-Flush (and in a game with no Wild cards, the highest ranking hand) from the Ten to the Ace; for example, a 10s-Js-Qs-Ks-As.
Run Up A Hand
An on-the-spot manufacture of what would be a cold deck had the cards been arranged in advance. This is done by a skilful card manipulator (cheat) who takes cards from the discards and arranges them according to where he is seated in relation to the other players and is able to assure himself (or a confederate) of a very good hand when it’s his turn to deal.
Run You Down
Chase you.
Running Pair
Two cards of the same denomination (such as two Sevens) that fall consecutively on Fourth and Fifth Streets in Hold ’em.
Rush
A rapid succession of winning hands. Also known as “winning streak”.
Sandbag
Checking the probable best hand with the intention of raising.
Sandwich
Two players (Bettors) having another player in the middle during the action.
Scare card
A turn or river card that may have completed an opponent’s draw, winning them the hand.
Scoop
Win both (High and Low) ends of a High-Low Split pot.
Scored Pair
A Pair In the Pocket in Hold ‘em.
Screwed Down
A player who’s playing very tight is said to be Screwed Down.
Seat Position
The actual seat a player has - not to be confused with his position in the pot.
Second Button
See Second Pair.
Second Dealer
A card manipulator (Cheat) who can deal Seconds.
Second (or Third) Nuts
The second (or third) best possible hand.
Second Pair (or Second Button)
A Pair made with the second highest card on the Board in Hold ‘em.
Seconds (or Second Card)
The second card from the top of the deck that’s dealt by a card cheat when he wants to save the top card for himself (or a Confederate). Also see Mechanic.
Selling A Hand
1. Getting your opponent to call your bet.
2. The art of making a bet that’s not too big since it might discourage your opponent from calling, yet not too small so that you don’t sell your hand too cheaply… but the perfect size (amount) so that you can extract the maximum value out of your hand.
Semi-Bluffing
Bluffing with an Out.
Send It Around
To slow play a big hand in an early position hoping another player behind you will raise so that you can re-raise when the action gets back to you.
Set
A term used to describe Trips or Fours (Four-of-a-kind), as in a Set of Trips.
Set Him All-In (or Move Him All-In)
In a No-Limit game, making a bet so big it would force another player to commit all his chips to the pot.
Sevens Rule
A rule used in Draw Lowball (especially in Gardena, California Poker clubs) that states a player must bet his hand if it’s a “Seven” (or better). If the player breaks this rule by not betting a Seven he cannot participate in any further profits from the pot.
SheriffPlayer who calls his opponent down to make sure they aren’t bluffing.
Shill
A House player who’s paid by a Casino to stimulate action and encourage other players to join in the game, and one who plays with House money and has no real stake in the game.
Shoot It Up
Raise.
ShortSee Shy.
Short Call
To Call a bet with an insufficient amount of money in a No-Limit (or even in a Limit) game when the amount of the Call is all the money that the player has left on the table.
Short Cards
Any game played with cards besides Poker. For example, Gin Rummy, Bridge, etc.
Short-Handed Game
A Poker game that is not full - one that has many seats open. (The opposite of a Ring Game.)
Short Money
An amount of money less than what a player would normally Buy-In for in a particular game.
Shorts
Any Pair less than Jacks in a Draw Poker game that requires Jacks-or-better to open.
Showdown
See Hot and Cold.
Shut Out
You can get shut out of a pot when an opponent in a No-Limit game makes a bet bigger than you can legitimately call. Similarly, you can shut out your opponents.
Shy
To owe money in the pot.
Side bet
A live game occurrence where players make small wagers against each other in between hands on, for example, the next flop being dominated by red or black cards
Sidecard
See Kicker.
Side Game
None-tournament Poker game.
Simultaneous Declaration
A form of High-Low Poker in which the players simultaneously declare whether they will play their hand for High, Low or both High and Low. The way the players declare is usually with a chip or chips concealed in their hand. That is, when a player opens his hand and there is no chip in it, he has declared for Low. When he has one chip in it, he has declared for High. When he has two chips in his hand, he has declared for both High and Low.
Sixth Street
The sixth card dealt each active player in Stud Poker.
Slider
Someone who frequently moves all of their chips into a pot in No Limit Hold ‘em.
Slow Game
See Pace.
Slow-Play
To play a strong hand weakly, that is let your opponent take the lead in the betting. Underplaying a strong hand to lure your opponents into calling.
Small Blind
The physical location of the small blind is just left of the button. It is usually half the size of the big blind.
Smooth
See Rough.
Smooth Call
When someone slow-plays a hand or makes a difficult call. Also, an expression used when a player calls anticipating a raise by a player behind him.
Snapped Off
To get called when a person is bluffing.
Snatch Game
A game in which the dealer is raking an excessive amount of money from the pot.
Snow Hand
In Draw games when a player stands pat on worthless hands and bets at the pot hoping his bet, rather than his hand, will win the pot.
Solid
Strategy in which you play very few hands. Has connotations of emotional control and soundness of play.
Soup
See Lay-Down.
Speeding Around
A player who plays real loose with no definable pattern is said to be Speeding Around.
Spike
See Nail.
Split Openers
In Draw Poker, a strategic play made by the Opener who discards one or more of the cards necessary to open the pot in order to draw to a hand that’s more likely to win. For example, a player opens the pot with a Pair of Jacks and then declares that he’s splitting openers, He may want to, for example draw to a Straight or a Flush. He segregates the part of his hand that he’s splitting and withholds it from the other discards to prove his openers at the end of the hand.
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
A pot in which two or more players have hands with equal value and, therefore, split the money in the pot. (This is not the same as a split pot in High-Low Split.)
Squeeze (or “Sweat”)To look at your cards by spreading them apart so that their value will be revealed to you as slowly as possible.
Squeeze Bet or Raise
A technique or strategy used in all forms of Poker, but especially in High-Low Split, to extract additional money from a player not likely to win (share) the pot.
Stay
To continue as an active player by calling a bet or raise.
Stakes
Amount of money being played for.
Steal (or Steal A Pot)
To win a pot on a bluff.
Steal Position
1. Next-to-last Baby card in Low Poker.
2. Next-to-last High card in High Poker.
Steam
See On Tilt.
Steal The Blinds
In Hold ‘em on the first round of betting, to make a raise trying to make the blinds fold, thus winning the pot immediately.
Straddle
See Big Blind.
Stragglers
Players who limp in from early positions.
Straight
Five cards in sequence such as 7-8-9-10-J (mixed suits).
Straight Draw
Refers to the situation in which you need two different cards that will make you a straight. For example, if you had 4-5-6-7, then you will need an 8 or a 3 to complete a straight.
Straight-Flush
Five cards in sequence and in the same suit such as 5h-6h-7h-8h-9h.
Strangler
1. An unfamiliar player in the game. Also called Drop-In.
2. A card that was received on the draw and is therefore new and unfamiliar.
Strategic Bluff
The opposite of automatic bluff - one that’s clearly thought out and planned.
Stretch
A hand that won’t Stretch is one that can’t make a Straight.
String Bet
A way of betting that’s generally considered illegal in most Poker games, especially public games. It’s a bet that’s not made with a continuous action, that is, part of the bet is made, then the player hesitates, and then he completes the remainder of the bet. The hesitation in the betting action is the “illegal” part of the move. It’s considered to be “illegal” because during the period of hesitation, the player making the string bet can possibly observe the reaction(s) of anyone already in the pot and especially the reaction(s) of active players behind him.
Striking
See Rush.
Stuck
When a player’s losing, he’s said to be Stuck.
Stud
Popular term for Seven Card Stud.
Sucker
A player who thinks he knows how to play, but really has no chance of winning (consistently) because of his ineptitude.
Sucking Wind
Refers to times where someone is just plain unlucky. You seem to be missing your draw cards and your opponents seem to be hitting theirs.
Suited
A term often used to describe the first two cards in Hold ‘em that are of the same suit.
Suited Connectors
Term used for a suited hand that also runs in sequence, such as 5s-6s-7s-10d-Jd
Swing Hand
A hand in High-Low Split that has a chance to win both the High and Low ends of the pot.
Tab
An expression indigenous to the South and Southwestern part of the United States that is synonymous with “Credit”.
Table Image
Refers to the way other players at the table view you.
Take-Out
See Buy-In.
Taking A Turn
Trying to catch a card (or cards).
Tap
To go all-in.
Taking Insurance
A way to protect your investment in the pot by allowing an “Insurance Man” to lay you a price on your hand when you have the best winning potential. The price that you’ll be getting is always considerably less than the true price that your hand is worth. The difference between the true price that your hand is worth. The difference between the true price and the actual price the Insurance Man is willing to lay is his Vigorish. Also see Insurance.
Tap-City
A slang term to signify that a player went completely broke, that is, he went to Tap-City.
Tap-Out (or Tapped-Out)
See Tap-City.
Tell
An habitual mannerism of a player in a particular situation that gives you an indication of the strength of his hand or whether or not he’s bluffing.
Third Street
In Stud Poker, the third card dealt to each player.
Three-Of-A-Kind
Three cards of the same rank and two side cards, such as K-K-K-6-9.
Throw A Party
A Sucker who is literally giving his money away in the game is said to be Throwing a Party.
Ticket
A slang term for a card as in “give me a ticket”.
Tied-On
When your hand is so good that you must play until all the cards are out, you’re said to be Tied-On to it.
Tight Hold ’em
See Omaha.
Tight Player
A player who tends to play only very strong hands and gets involved in very few pots.
Tilt
Term used when someone is playing far too may hands because he is emotionally unbalanced.
Time
The amount of money collected by the House from each player at specific time periods to pay for the use of the table. Also see Rake.
Tip Your Duke
To reveal the quality of your hand.
Toke
A Gratuity. Commonly used in gambling circles instead of the word “Tip”. The derivation of the term is unknown, but it may stand for “Token of Appreciation”.
Toothpick Principle
Idea that you can start with a tiny amount of money in a Poker game and end up with a small fortune.
Top Kicker
The highest (or higher) side card when two or more players have identical hands and that card is used to determine the winner of the pot.
Top Pair
Pairing one of your hole cards with the highest card on the Board in Hold ’em.
Trail A Hand Around
Slow-play a hand in an early position.
Trap
See Check-Raise and Sandbagging.
Trey
Slang for Three. A Three-spot.
Triplets
See Trips.
Trips
Slang for Three-of-a-kind.
Tuna (Fish
See Sucker.
Turbo
When the blinds increase more quickly – such as every three hands
Turkey
See Sucker.
Turn
1. In Hold ’em, a word often used by Texans (and players from the South and Southwestern part of the United States) instead of the word Flop.
2. In addition to the above meaning, this term is used to describe the Fourth card placed on the Board in Hold ’em.
Turn One
An expression often used by the last player to act during a Hold ’em hand when all the other active players before him have checked. The expression means that he has also checked.
Tush Hog
A very tough player.
Two Pair
Two separate sets of two cards of the same rank and a side card, such as K-K-5-5-7.
Underbet
To make a smaller bet than you normally would. This is done (usually) to entice a raise.
Underdog
See Dog.
Underfull
Any Full House in Hold ‘em less than the Big Full.
Underpair
Pair beneath the board. For example 5-5 when the board is 7-10-Q.
Under The Gun
The first player to act in a Poker pot.
Unglued
See On Tilt.
Up-Card(s)
The exposed (open) card(s) in a Stud Poker game.
Uphill
To go uphill is to have the worst hand and chase a better hand.
Value Betting
Making a bet in the belief that you’ll win money with slightly more than you’ll lose money with. A bet that you may well lose, but you believe the chances are you’ll win.
Vigorish
A percentage extracted by the House (Casino) to enable it to make a profit on the game.
Walk
Letting the Blind win unchallenged.
Walking stick
Number 7 card.
Washed (or Wash-Out)
A term sometimes used to indicate that a player, after a period of time, broke approximately even during the time he played.
Wheel
See Bicycle.
Wheel Lowball
See California Lowball.
When All The Cards Are Out
The point when there are no more cards to be dealt.
Whipsaw
To be the caller between two players who are both raising.
White Meat
The sophisticated parts of a Poker discussion.
Wild Card
Card that you may change to any other in the deck.
Window Card
A card held on the bottom of a playing hand in Draw Poker which is either deliberately or involuntarily exposed.
Wired
See Wired Pair.
Wired Pair
A Pair on the first two cards in any Poker game.
World Series Of Poker (WSOP)
The World Series Of Poker is the biggest and most prestigious series of Poker tournaments in the world.
Wrap
In Omaha, four consecutive cards in your starting hand, such as 10-J-Q-K. In Omaha, a wrap straight draw.
Wrap Straight Draw
Straight Draw in which at least three different card make your straight. For example with a hand of 8-10-J-K and a flop of 7-9-Q, you would be able to make a straight if a 6, 8, 10, J or K came up - this example shows one of the biggest wrap straight draws possible.
