Poker Terminology

A

Ace

An ace is regarded as the card with the highest power in the deck.

Ace In The Hole

An "Ace in the Hole" describes a situation where there is an ace among the faced cards during play.

Ace Rich

To be ace rich in a poker game means that the number of aces dealt in the game is more than average.

Ace To Five/Ace To Six

Ace to Five (or Ace to Siz) describes a system for assessing low hands in Poker.

Act

To act means for a player to make a move (e.g., fold, raise, bet, check etc.) during a poker game.

Acting Out Of Turn

For a player to act out of turn in Poker means for that player to act when it's not yet their turn.

Action

Action in Poker generally refers to a player's turn to act in a game. For people who do not realize that it's their turn to play, the dealer will say to them the phrase "you action."

Action Button

This can be described as a marker that a player places an extra forced bet on. It is often presented as an award to the winner of a seven-card-stud high game.

Action Card

This is a card that causes an important betting action because it's beneficial to more than one player in a Texas hold 'em and other community card poker games.

Action Flop

This refers to a flop that involves multiple draws and many potential connections to the opponent's hands.

Action Only

Since only a full or half bet are the types of bet that can be re-raised, the term "action only" is referred to as a bet that is less than a full or half bet. This means other players can call out but not raise it.

Active Players

These are the players that are involved in the pot

Add On

This is described as an offer given to poker players during tournaments to buy a number of chips in addition to the player's original buy-in. It is usually offered at the end of a rebuy period or at the first break.

Advertising

To make an obvious move/play that clearly shows your opponent the advantage you have over them.

Aggressive

To be aggressive in Poker refers to a style of play that can be identified when players appear to bet or raise more than the way they check or call during a game.

Aggressive Factor

This is described as a quantifier of a player's aggression either during a round or on all the betting rounds he/she participated in.

Air

Best described as a hand with low value.

All In

This is when a player bets every chip he/she has on one play. It can be described as a situation where a player wins or loses everything in Poker.

Ammunition

This is a term used to refer to the chips a player possesses

Angle

This is an inappropriate play that is still permitted in Poker.

Angle Shooting

The act of intentionally breaking a rule or using an angle in order to try and take advantage.

Ante

Ante can be described as a necessary bet that is made by all involved players before the dealing of cards begins. An ante sometimes serves as a motivation for players to be aggressive.

Ante Off

An ante-off forces a player who is in absentia to continue playing ante, blinds and bring-ins and other forced bets so the game can be fair to all.

Any Two Cards

This is an expression used when a player's card is no longer important in decision-making.

B

Baby

A prefix for any hand with the lowest ranking on the board.

Backdoor

This is a drawing hand that needs at least 2 consecutive hands on the turn and river in order to become a strong hand.

Back In

This is when a player enters a pot without there being an opening. The player enters by checking and calling another player's opening in the first bet round.

Back Into

To win a bet with a weak hand that could have folded into any bet.

Back Raise

This is a re-raise made by a player who has previously called a bet or raise in the same round of betting.

Bad Beat

Bad beat refers to a situation when a player with a very strong hand loses to a player with an even stronger hand.

Balance

It can also be described as the act of playing different hands in the same way so as to confuse an opponent who seeks to gain information about your cards.

Bank

Also known as "The house," the bank is the individual that is in charge of tracking buy-ins, distributing chips and giving money to the winners after the game is over.

Bankroll

This can be described as the total amount of money from which a player draws to play a poker game.

Bankroll Management

This can be described as the practice of choosing the right stakes when playing Poker based on the amount of money you have at your disposal.

Behind

This is used to describe players that do not possess the best hand.

Bet

A bet is the money staked during a poker game.

Betting Structure

These can be described as the rules that regulate the amount of money a player can raise or bet in a game.

Big Bet Game

This can be described as a game that involves no limit betting structure or a pot limit betting structure.

Big Stack

Used to describe a player with the highest amount of chips in the game.

Blank

A card in Poker that appears to have no value.

Blaze

This can be described as a hand used in house games that consists of 5 face cards

Bleed

This is when a player continues to lose his chips due to his poor style of play.

Blind

This can be described as a forced bet that is placed by players before the dealing of any card.

Blind Defense

A method used to take advantage of aggressive players. It involves calling or raising an opponent's raise when in the big blind.

Blind Steal

A blind steal is a method of winning blinds and antes by using a weak hand to raise from a late extreme.

Blind Stud

A type of poker game in which all the cards that are dealt are placed face down.

Blind Off

This refers to a situation whereby a player's chip stack due to the payment of blinds

Blocker

A combination of cards that helps to convert an opponent's out into yours.

Bluff

A bluff can be described as a bet made with a weak hand in an effort to trick other players into believing you have a strong hand so they can fold.

Board

Mainly described as shared cards or community cards that are used in some types of Poker.

Bomb Pot

A hand where every player involved agrees to put a particular amount of money into the pot before the dealing of cards begins.

Bottom Pair

This is a set or pair of cards that are made by matching the card with the lowest rank on the board with a card in the player's hand.

Bounty

The reward is given to players in terms of cash prizes after defeating certain opponents in poker tournaments.

Break

To end a poker game session or to signal an intermission during poker tournaments.

Brush

A casino employee whose job is to greet players as they make their way into the poker room. They maintain the list of people who intend to play in the room and also announce sea openings, among other things.

Bring In

To start a betting round in a poker game or tournament

Bubble

The greatest ranking position in a poker tournament is just after the tournament payout structure. E.g., In a game where the top 3 winners are rewarded, the 4th runner-up is referred to as the bubble.

Bully

This is the poker player who often raises in poker games and forces out the other cautious players.

Burn card

When a card is removed from a deal in order to prevent cheating, then such a card is burnt in Poker.

Busted

For a player to lose all his chips.

Buy In

This refers to the minimum amount of chips that must be purchased in order to participate in a poker game or tournament.

Buy Short

To enter into a poker game with a number of chips that is smaller than the regular buy-in.

Buy The Pot

An effort to make other players fold by making a bet to force players out.

C

Call

The act of matching a player's betting amount.

Call The Clock

To give another player a limited amount of time to make a decision when playing Poker.

Calling Station

This refers to a player who has a habit of calling bets but never raises them when playing.

Cap

This refers to the maximum amount of raises that are allowed in a betting round.

Card Protector

Special items are placed on the top of the cards to prevent them from being revealed or exposed.

Cash Games

This is a game where each hand is played in exchange for actual money. The players are at liberty to join or leave the game at anytime

Cash Play

It's a rule announced by dealers which allows players to bet cash instead of chips in a poker game. It often occurs when chips are not available.

Cashing Out

The exchange of your earnings in chips for actual cash when leaving a poker game.

Catch Up

To complete a draw by defeating a player who previously had a strong hand.

Chase

To keep on playing even with a bad hand because you have already deposited money into the pot.

Check Out

This means that a player leaves a game.

Chip Up

This refers to the rounding up of low-value chips to convert them into high-value chips

Chip Leader

The player that possesses the highest amount of chips in a poker game or tournament.

Chop

The act of withdrawing your winnings after a short poker game.

Coffee Housing

An effort to give other players the wrong perspective about the strength of your hand.

Coin Flip

This is a situation whereby two players have just about the same chances of winning.

Collusion

A type of cheating in Poker that involves the collaboration of two players

Completion

To increase the value of a small bet into what will be referred to as a normal-sized bet.

Countdown

The practice of counting the remaining cards in the stub after all cards have been dealt in order to make sure the entire deck is used.

Cow

A player that shares in the buy-in of another player with an intention to split the result after the game.

Crying Call

When a player calls, even when they do not believe they have the best hand.

D

Dark

To take action before accessing information you are entitled to as a player.

Dead Blind

This refers to a type of blind in which the player that posts it is unable to raise even if every other player at the table is called.

Dead Hand

This refers to a hand that is dealt to a player who is unable to participate in the deal due to a foul. This foul happens when a player touches another player's cards or is found in possession of the wrong number of cards.

Dead Money

This refers to the additional chips/money in the pot aside from the active player's bet. It often includes blinds, antes and chips by players that have folded in the past.

Deal

Distribute cards to the involved players in accordance with the rule of the game being played. It is also regarded as an agreement to split the payout in a new structure.

Dealer

The individual who is responsible for shuffling and dealing with the cards in a poker game or tournament.

Dealer's Choice

This is a type of Poker in which the player who deals the hand has the ability to decide what game will be played at the upcoming hand or orbit.

Deep Stack

A deep stack refers to having a large number of chips in comparison to the level of stakes being played.

Defense

A play that defends a player from a suspected bluffer. Defense leaves the bluffer with no option but to fold or invest further.

Deuce

Synonymous with the number "2" used in Poker.

Dominated Hand

A hand that often loses to other hands in Poker.

Donkey

An inexperienced poker player.

Double Ace Flush

This refers to a flush that consists of two or more wild cards that function as aces.

Dry Board

This is when the community cards make it very unlikely for any player to have made a strong hand.

E

Early Position

The position is known to be the seating arrangements of players around the table. Therefore, when a player acts first on the table, it is called the "early position."

Early Surrender

This allows you the option to give in half your bet before the dealer checks the hole card for blackjack.

Edge

This is when a player has a judicious or strategic advantage over his opponents

Effective nuts

Effective nuts are known to be quite different from a precise nut hand; however also strong enough to be played

Effective stack

An effective stack size represents the maximum amount between two poker players that can be won or lost in one hand

Eight-or-Better

This is a qualifier for poker variations wherein the item is to make the best low hand with cards that are each of the 8 or lower.

Equity

Equity in Poker is the portion of a pot at a poker table that should belong to a particular player based on his long-term chances to win.

Etiquette

These are unwritten rules of conduct that players need to know so as to guide them on the poker table

Even money

Even money is a side bet which is offered to a player that has a blackjack in case the dealer has an Ace as a face-up card.

Expected Value

It is the amount of money you would win or lose, on average, on your bet.

Exposed card

This is one that is purposely or accidentally shown to players during a hand that was not supposed to be seen.

F

Family Pot

Commonly used at tables to describe a poker deal where every player is involved in calling the opening bets.

Favorite

Best described as a dominant hand that has an advantage over all other hands in the game. Its measure of dominance is calculated by how much advantage it has over others.

Feeder

This is the second or third poker table from which players progress to the main table as different players begin to get eliminated.

Flat Call

This refers to a call where a player is expected to rise.

Flash

A card is said to be flashed in front of all players by the dealer before discarding when such a card is exposed by accident during the dealing of cards.

Final Hand

This refers to the ranking of a player and after all the cards have been dealt

Final Table

Last set of players left in a poker tournament who can fully occupy a table. An official final table mostly consists of 9 players or 6 in tournaments.

Flop

This is regarded as the first 3 community, board or cards in either Omaha or Hold'em games.

Floating

Refers to a play that involves calling with weak hands on the turn or flop so as to win the pot. This play is achieved by either showing down or bluffing an opponent.

Four Of A Kind

This occurs when a hand is said to contain 4 cards that are of the same rank.

G

Gap hand

This is a starting hand with a distance in rank between two cards.

Gappers

These refer to two cards that share the same suit but have a single gap in the denomination between the two.

Gears

This refers to how a player is able to deviate from his standard playing style to make his game more unpredictable.

Getaway

This is when a player surrenders to his supposedly superior opponent when there are no more profitable actions to take.

GG (good name)

It is something poker players say when complimenting their play.

Ghosting

"Ghosting" is where another player (or players) offers their opinion to you while you are playing a hand.

GL(Good luck)

This means "Good luck." It is mostly used at the very start of the tournament, with players offering it to their opponents.

Godmode

This is a term in Poker used for a weak player who, nonetheless, might come up with a strike of luck.

Going north

Refers to when a player sneaks in more chips to the stack in front of him on the table so as to have bought in above the table limit.

Going south

This is when a player takes out the chips on the table while the game is in progress.

Gravy

Grave is the money won above a player's break-even point, especially when unexpected in a given hand.

Grinder

This is a player who plays a lot of time with the intention of making small but steady profits.

Grinding

This refers to playing long hours at the poker table, often in the hopes of making a living.

Grifter

This refers to a cheat, a player who deceives one to gain an edge in the tournament.

GTO (Game Theory Optimal)

This is the mathematically perfect way to play Poker that makes it impossible to be exploited by opponents.

Guarantee

When poker tournaments have "guarantees," it means that there will be a minimum amount of money in the prize pool as assured by the poker room.

Gutshot

Gutshot refers to a poker hand which is four cards to a straight, where only one rank can complete a straight.

Gutshot draw

A gutshot straight draw is a drawing hand that needs a specific card rank to come to hit a straight.

H

Half Bet Rule

The rule states that placing chips which are equal to or more than half the normal bet amount above the amount required to call constitutes a commitment to raise the normal amount.

Hand History

This is a recording of hands played. It is used by players to study and analyze their style of play.

Hanger

An unintentional sign that discreetly informs the players who are able to notice that the dealer is dealing the cards straight from the bottom of the deck.

Heads Up

A poker game or tournament that only involves two players.

Hit And Run

This is considered a bad manner in Poker when a player cashes out immediately after winning a large pot in a game.

ICM

ICM, known as the independent Chip Model, is known as an act of attaching a monetary value on a chip stack either in tournaments or in sit-n-go's. The value this chip stack possesses influences the decision process most time in a push or fold situation.

Implied odds

This is the winning of a particular amount of money after a hand has been hit, like a draw or a set. In most cases, implied odds are used to draw a flush, straight, two pairs or set before a bet and do not provide express odds for drawings

In the money

This term in Poker implies that a player is assured a monetary payout in a tournament.

Implicit conclusion

This happens in Poker when every player at a table will flat call to eliminate the low stack player who will make use of his or her remaining chip if staying in the game.

Improve

Improving means drawing a card that will make the hand better.

Inside straight draw

This occurs when a player tries to fill a square with one of the inside cards required.

In

"In" implies a player that is actively participating in a game

Index number

These are undefined numbers that card counters make use of to change strategy

Indices

These are the designed numbers printed in the top left corner or bottom right corner of a playing card.

In the air

This is a phrase used in many casinos, called out when directors are ready for the dealers to start dealing. It is the signal for the beginning of the tournament.

In the dark

This means to bet without looking at your hole cards first.

Insurance bet

The insurance bet is a side bet that secures a player's loss against a potential blackjack from the dealer. The bet is, in most cases, half of the original wager.

In position

A player is in position if the player acted last on the flop, turns and river betting rounds

In the money

A player is said to be "in the money" if the player finishes high enough in the poker tournament and wins the prize money.

In turn

"In turn" refers to the player who is next to act according to the rules.

Irregular declarations

These are gestures made by a player that is not in turn. These gestures are not straightforward in the declaration of intent. An example of this is raising a thumb up to signify a raise.

Irregularity

This is the number of abnormal conditions in play that may call for corrective measures.

J

Jackpot drop

This is the amount taken out of a jackpot pool

Jack up

This is not a popular term used most times; however, it means to raise.

Jammed pot

This implies that a poker pot has been raised to its maximum time allowed.

Jagging

Jagging is the way cheaters mark cards with their nails or any other device to easily identify the card.

Joker

Joker is a card used in most cases to draw games. It might be an ace or a card to complete a straight or flush in high games.

Juice

The money collected by the house is known as "juice."

K

Keep honest

This term is used when a player decides to make a call on the river to force his opponent to display his whole card.

Kelly betting

This is a betting system established by J.L Kelly JR, which aids advanced joker players in determining the perfect size of a bet at any point while playing a blackjack game.

Kicker

A kicker is a card that you use to ascertain the player with the stronger advantage.

Kill pot

This is referred to as a pot that a forced kill is placed on because the owner of the two previous pots won those also.

Kill stack

This refers to a player's stack that might look small but has a high value.

Kill button

This button in a poker game is used in a lowball game to show that a player has won two pots consecutively and then is required by the rule to kill the pot.

Kitty

This is the pool of money that is acquired from the collection of little amounts from other pots.

Knack

This is known to be an alternative name for jack. It is sometimes also used to qualify someone not so bright.

Knockout count

This term is known to be the simplest card counting system that focuses on a running count instead of a true count.

L

Lag

Lag is an aggressive style of play whereby a player plays quite some starting hands and makes many small raises with the belief of outplaying his or her opponent.

Last to act

In the game of Poker, a player is last to act if all the players between the player and the button have folded.

Laydown

This is the choice to fold a stronger hand while looking forward to a stronger opponent.

Late surrender

This is an act of surrendering your hand and half of the bet you have placed after the dealer checks for blackjack.

Lead

A lead is someone who makes the last bet in the previous round, automatically qualifying him or her to take the lead in the following round.

Level

This term is used when playing tournaments to refer to the size of the blind periodically increasing.

Leg up button

This button is used in Poker to point out who won the hand in the previous kill game.

Light

This is a hand that is likely not to be the best.

Limp-in

This is understood to be a way of entering into the pot by calling a bet when ought to raise

Live bet

This is a bet posted by a player who has the opportunity to raise first even when no other player has raised.

Live hands

This is referred to as a hand still eligible to win a pot, a hand that has the correct number of cards that are still valid.

Live game

A live game is a game with a lot of actions

Lock up

Lock up is a term used when a seat has been secured even though the player is not present by placing a poker chip, a player's card or any other personal effect on the table in front of the seat.

Loose

Loose is the act of playing more hands than the average.

M

Martingale System

This is described as a way of doubling your bet after the loss of each game to win back the losses made and the initial wager lost.

Money management

This is a precaution taken to ensure that the player does not lose the cash placed on a bet. This can be done by managing one's bank balance well.

Made hand

This is regarded as a hand that requires no form of improvement to win

Maniac

A "maniac" is an extremely aggressive player who bets and raises his wager often, even when he is not ought to do so strategically

Mark

This is referred to as a person with all the attention of other players at the table due to their experience.

Match the pot

Place a bet of an equal amount to the chip in the pot.

Micro limit level

These are some poker games with small stake limits, from which real cardrooms cannot profit.

Middle pair

This is the act of not pairing together with either the highest or lowest in a community game

Missed blind

A required bet not posted when it is the player's turn due to absence on the table is called missed blind.

Move-in

This means to go all in by betting one's total stake on the hand in play.

Muck

To get rid of one hand without disclosing the cards.

Negative Count

A negative count is a situation whereby the card is less than zero when card counting. These most times occur when you bet low while playing the waiting game.

No limit

This is a rule that allows players to wager any or all their chips in a single bet.

Nosebleed stakes

This is the highest stake offered in a cash poker game

Nothing

Nothing is when a player only has the possibility of a high card

Nothing card

This is a newly integrated card that has no value in any player's hand.

No win

It is a situation of no win when the dealer has won, or it's a push, and in this case, you get your bet back.

Nut hands

But hand implies the best possible hand in a given situation.

NRSA (No resplitting aces)

This is a situation whereby an already split ace cannot be split again if it has another ace paired with it.

O

Odds

Odds represent the chances of making a certain hand.

Offsuit

These are cards that are of a different suit

One chip rule

This is the use of a call of a previous bet using the chip of a higher denomination than necessary.

Open

This means to bet first

Open-ended straight draw

This is a situation whereby the cards needed to complete straight shows to be a card outside the structure.

Opener

In Poker, the opener is known as the person who makes the first raise in the pot

Openers

These are the cards held by a player that entitles them to open a pot

Open limp

Open limp is when the first player to enter the pot preflop bet only the amount of the big blind.

Orbit

This is regarded as the full rotation of the blind at a table, tallying the number of players at the poker table.

Out

Out in Poker is the number of cards that will enhance a player's hands.

Outplay

This is referred to when a player is able to get what he desires at hand using his skills.

Out of position

A player is known to be out of position if the player acts first or does not act last in a betting round.

Overbet

This is the act of placing a bet larger than the pot when playing a no-limit game.

Overall

A player overcalls when he or she calls a bet after other players have called.

Overcard

This is known to be a community card that is higher in the ranking than a player's pocket pair.

Overpair

Overpaid is known to be a pocket pair of higher rank than the highest community card.

Overs

This is an option given to players to increase their stakes in limited games.

P

Paint

Paint refers to a card with the value of 10

Pair

Pair is known in Poker to be two cards of the same rank

Passive

This is a particular style of play that is known for checking and calling

Penny ante

These are games played with low or insignificant stakes

Perfect play

This means players playing their hands in accordance with the widely accepted blackjack strategy

Play the board

A player is said to "play the board" if a player's best hand is on the board and the player goes to a showdown.

Ploppy

This term is used by experienced players to qualify beginners or less experienced players at the table.

Pocket Aces

This is the starting poker hand that possesses two Aces.

Pocket pair

This is in most cases used in community card poker or stud poker, where two of a player's private card makes a pay

Poker face

This is a blank expression that doesn't show any information about the card being held

Polarized

Polarized is referred to when a players range has been divided into very strong hands or bluffs

Position bet

This is a bet placed due to the strength of the players betting position rather than the player's betting card

Positive count

This term is used when the count at a table goes over zero

Post dead

Post dead in Poker implies that the amount posted equals the small and the big blind combined.

Pot committed

This is a position in Poker whereby a player can no longer fold because the pot is larger when compared to the size of one's stack.

Pot sweetener

This is a little bet not intended to cause an opponent to fold but rather intended to build the pot by sweetening it

Preflop

This is a time when players are already in a position of their pocket cards, but a flop is yet to be dealt.

Probe bet

This is a bet after the flop made by a player who did not have the lead in betting before the flop

Progressive betting

This is a strategy used by players which involves them doubling their bet every time they lose until they win.

Protected pot

This is a pot in Poker that is quite impossible to bluff to win because too many players are partaking in it.

Push

It's a draw between a player and the dealer. In this case, the player gets his amount staked back but does not win any additional money.

Put on

This is a way of determining a player's range of hands based on the knowledge of the player's gameplay style.

Q

Quads

This is when a player has four cards of one rank and also possesses one card of another rank

Qualifier

This is the meeting of necessary criteria by the player's hand to make a low hand in split pot games.

Quartered

This means to win the quarter of a pot most times by tying the low or high hand of a high low split game.

R

Raise

This refers to when a player increases the size of an existing bet higher than the amount bet by other players in the same betting round.

Rake

This refers to the scaled commission fee taken by a cardroom operating a poker game.

Range

This refers to a collection of all the possible hands a player can have at that time.

Razz

This refers to a poker game in which the best Ace to Five low poker hand wins the pot at a showdown.

Rebuy

A rebuy in Poker is buying more chips when you have lost your entire stack or have fallen to a short stack level.

Re-raise

This refers to making a raise after a previous raise has already been made on the current betting round.

Rounder

The term rounder is usually used in the context of a person whose sole means of earning a living is through playing Poker or cards.

S

Satellite

A satellite is a competition that grants you access to much bigger competition.

Scare Card

A card is dealt face up (to a player or board) to create a strong hand for a player.

Scoop

Scoop is a play used to win both the high and the low halves of the pot in high-low split games.

Second Pair

The second pair is a pair of cards that ranks the second highest on the board.

Sell

Most times, a sale takes place in a spread limit poker. A sale involves staking with much less than the maximum, using a strong hand to influence more opponents to call the bet.

Semi-bluff

A semi-bluff is a raise or bet made with a hand with chances of improving but with the aim of making a better hand fold at the current betting round.

Set-up

Set-up is an approach used to introduce a new deck to the table. Therefore, a set-up might also be called a set-up deck or spading the deck. The set-up deck spreads all the cards face up for the players to see before being shuffled.

Sevens rule

Sevens rule is a rule that demands that a player with seven-low or more bet after the draw instead of doing a check-raise or check. If the rule is violated, the player loses any potential interest in the pot or the interest in its entirety.

Shark

A shark is known as a professional player.

Shoe

A shoe is a slanted container, which is used to hold the cards to be dealt, which is common in casinos and in professional poker competitions.

Shootout

A shootout is an approach in Poker where the last player on a table plays against the remaining players from other tables. There is no balancing as other players are eliminated.

Shortbus

Shortbuy is a term used in no-limit Poker to buy into a game for less money than what the maximum buy-in is. Shortbuy can also be a lesser amount than what other players on the table have to buy into the game.

Short stack

Short stack is a stack of small chips to the stakes being played.

Shorthanded

Shorthanded is a game of Poker that is played with six players or less instead of the conventional full-ring game of nine or ten players. A poker tournament with tables of shorthanded people is a short table tournament.

Shove

Shove is going all in or stake it all.

Showdown

A showdown is used to determine the winner if the last betting round produces more than one active player. Showdown compares the hands of the remaining active players to determine the winner.

Showdown value

Showdown value is the value of a poker hand when compared to the range of hand of its opponents, showing a fair chance of winning.

Side game

A side game is a game made up of eliminated players or players who choose not to play, which is simultaneously run with the main tournament.

Sit-and-go

Poker tournaments are known to have a schedule including a starting time. A poker tournament without a starting time or schedule is called Sit and go.

Slow Play

Slow Play is the tricky play where a player weakly stakes with a strong holding. The aim of this play is to trick other players within the pot into raising or betting strongly.

Slow Roll

Slow Roll is a poor habit that involves players avoiding or hesitating to show the winning hand during the showdown.

Snow

Snow is a worthless hand, which is mostly misleading and used to bluff.

Soft-play

Soft-play is an approach that deliberately goes easy on a player. It often comes with a heavy penalty such as the loss of stake or winnings and forced sit-outs.

Soft-break

Soft-break allows the swap or trade of large bills or chips for chips and cash anytime a player buys in. The cash is refunded to the player; hence it was not used during gameplay.

Splash the pot

This involves throwing your chips into the pot in a disorderly manner. This is mostly done to conceal how much has been bet. However, it is not often allowed.

Split two pair

Split two pair is a two-pair hand in a community card poker, where the pair is made of the hole card of a player and the other is a community card.

Spread

The range between the minimum and maximum bets of the table.

Spread limit

Spread limit is a form of limit poker, where the stakes or bets are raised between the maximum and minimum value. This spread can be altered between two rounds.

Stack

The chips and currency that are at play at a given time. "Stacking an opponent" might also mean paid off by an opponent for your full stack.

Stakes

Stakes is the amount one bets or buys in

Stand Pat

Stand pat is often used as the original hand in draw pokers, particularly when a draw is not used as a bluff or a potential best hand.

Steam

It is a state of rage, agitation or frustration, which leads to an uninspiring strategy and, ultimately, poor gameplay.

Straight

Straight is the total bet against the amount being raised.

Strategy card

Strategy card is a small wallet-shaped card with game strategies for casino or online Poker.

Structure

Structure refers to the system of betting where the spread of bet can be changed in each round.

Street

Street is a term for rounds of betting.

String bet

A string bet is known as a call with a motion and a rise to another. It can also be an attempt to get more chips without disclosing how much. String bets are not allowed in most public card rules.

Stub

Stub is the leftover cards (unused) during an active game.

Subscription poker

It is a form of Poker where its participants pay a monthly fee to be able to play in actual betting poker tournaments online.

Suck out

Suck out occurs when a hand with the highest chance of winning loses out to one with a hand with little potential of winning.

T

Table Shakes

Table Shakes is an aggressive mode of poker play where players play a series of strong hands at the start, while they play aggressively when they are in lots.

Tainted outs

The cards are a better hand than other cards while also improving the hands of others.

Tank, in the tank

Hesitation in gameplay; taking a lot of time before acting.

Third Man Walking

The third Man Walking is the third player to leave his seat during any game involving cash. There are rules in different casinos that demand that players get back into their seats in 10 minutes or lose a rotation of the deal or the seat in its entirety.

Three Bet, Three Betting

The first player to throw in the third unit of betting is known as Three Bet, Three Betting.

Tight

Tight is throwing in a less-than-average number of hands.

Tilt

Anger, frustration, emotional upset, and frustration lead to poor player game plan or strategy.

Timer

Timers are always used to count down the time, especially in poker competitions and tournaments.

To go

The amount of money required to stay within the hand.

Toke

Toke is the tip given to winners of pot in a land-based casino.

U

Underdog

A player with little chance of victory compared to other players.

Under full

A full house of cards when a pair has a stronger card compared to three of a kind

Upcard

A card is being played with a revealed face

Upswing

When a player wins more than expected.

V

Value Bet

Value Bet is made by a player who intends to show their hand.

Variance

The difference between reality and what is expected through statistics.

VPIP

Voluntary Put Poney In Pot explains the extent to which a player is tight or loose.

W

Wake Up

When you set out to get a starting strong hand

Walk

When players fold into a big blind.

Wash

A means of blending the deck by lining up the cards face down and shuffling them.

Weak Ace

An ace with a low sticker.

Weak Player

A player easily sends off a hand after flopping through any action.

X

X

X is used in marking the spot.

Y

Yeast

Yeast also means a raise.

YGHN

YGHN is a term of use in an email, mostly when a speaker defeats a good hand.

Yoleven (Yo)

11 with respect to the size of the bet; the word comes from dealers who can clearly pronounce eleven to clearly distinguish them from one another.

Younger hand

Younger hand is an outdated term used for any player to the left of the eldest hand.

Youngest hand

An outdated term for a player to the right side of the dealer.

Z

Z Game

Z Game is the lowest stake game

Zilch or Zip

Zip means nothing and is simply a hand dealt with no cards. It is also known as garbage land.

Zip

Zip occurs in a lowball 4-3-2-A and is always before the highest ranked card of the hand. Asides from this, Zip might also mean nothing.

Zombie

A poker player that lets nothing on shows no emotions and gives no clue or anything to give away or compromise his holdings.

Zuke

It is also known as a toke. It is a term majorly used by dealers.