Poker Terms Glossary
Poker Glossary - Definitions of Poker Terms & Slang
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This is a poker gambling dictionary which provides over 100 poker terms and definitions that you will find at many online poker rooms. This glossary is suitable for new poker players as well as those individuals who want to take online poker to another level. Included in the glossary are various poker variants available as well as the most common poker lingo used at various poker sites, forums, etc.
A
ABC Poker - This is a poker term which refers to basic poker style play.
All-In - This is usually a term used in poker when a player no longer has chips to continue betting with but the hand is allowed to stay in. The player is able to put all his or her money into the pot even if the amount does not cover the total amount of bet required by the table. The player will no longer be betting.
Absolute Poker - An online poker room which offers a wide selection of poker tournaments, ring games and also to include SNGs.
Action - This is when a player places money in the pot. It is basically the money that is being wagered by the player.
Active Player - A player who is still in the game.
Ace - The only card in poker which is used to denote the highest value or low value.
Ace High - A hand which has got the highest card value of an Ace.
Aggressive - In poker, this is the term used to refer to a player who plays by raising or re-raising his hand.
Add-On - This is used by poker players when they are allowed to rebuy in a tournament.
Ante - This is a fee that each player would have to make before they are dealt with cards on the table. Stud games are the card games which usually require the ante.
Ace on the River - A Poker book written by Barry Greenstein.
Act - When a player on the table makes a decision to bet, call, raise or fold his or hand.
AFAIK - This is an acronym which is popularly used in forums as well as poker chat rooms meaning As Far As I Know.
Aggressive Player - A poker player who is considered active and usually bets or raises on most hands often.
Ajax - This is a starting hand which constitutes of an Ace and a Jack.
ANZPT - Australia New Zealand Poker Tour.
APPT - Asia 888 Tour.
Ammunition - A poker slang word which is used to refer poker chips on the table.
APT - Asian Poker Tour.
ATC - An acronym meaning, Any Two Cards.
B
Bad Beat - This is a term used in poker referring to a good hand which is beaten by a superior hand.
Bankroll - The total amount of money that a player has got during a gaming session. The amount of money that a player is willing to risk with. Bankroll is also known as the player's risk money.
Bankroll Hunting - This is when poker players hunt for opponents who have a higher bankroll so as to take it away from them.
Backdoor - This is when a player's hand develops to a straight or a flush during the turn and river and this hand is usually known as the backdoor straight and backdoor flush.
Bet Unit - A player's standard bet size or minimum bet amount.
Basic Strategy - Simple skills of how to win a game.
Back Raise - this is when a player first makes a call and then later raises during the game.
Bet - Gamble or Wager. This is the amount of money wagered by a player on any casino game.
Badugi - This is a poker game variant at which players would have to construct the best low hand from four cards that they are dealt with. The low hand constitutes of four unsuited and unpaired cards.
Badeucy - a combination of Badugi and 2-7 Triple Draw.
Betting Interval - This is also known as the betting round, the term is usually used in the card games. This is the session at which players get to bet or wager on their hands. The number of intervals varies and depends on the card games.
Betting Limits - The minimum or maximum bets allowed by a table.
Blank - A card that does not add any effect to a hand.
Bluffcall - When a poker makes a call with a hand that is considered as a bluff.
Behind - This is an average poker hand which is dealt to a player that is able to develop into a good hand.
Blind Bet - These are compulsory bets for two players sited left to the dealer button.
Blind Open - This is also known as the small blind. The first compulsory bet made by a player sited left to the dealer button. This bet is half the amount of the early bet required by the table.
Blind raise - This is also known as the big blind. This is a compulsory bet that is made by the second player left to the dealer button. The bet is the total amount of the early bet required by the table.
Bluff - A technique used by players so as to deceive opponents to make them think that your hand is very stronger than theirs.
Bodog - An online sportsbook, casino and poker room which accepts US players.
Board - This is a term used in poker referring to the cards that are shared by all players. These are cards that are placed on the center of the table face-up (exposed) and they are also known as community cards.
Boat - This is also known as a Full House, a hand consisting of a three-of-a-kind and a pair.
Bounty - This is a bonus prize that is awarded to a player for defeating another player. Bounties are not available to all online poker games and tournaments.
Bonus - This is the additional money that is given to a player by the casino. Various casinos can offer bonuses such as sign up bonuses, deposit bonuses and so on.
Bring-In - This is a term used in Seven Card Stud referring to the mandatory bet which has to be placed by the player who has the lowest up card (exposed card) in the first betting interval.
Bracelet - This is a prize for poker tournament winners. The most prestigious bracelets are the prizes awarded to winners at the World Series of Poker.
BRB - An acronym often used in poker chat rooms meaning Be Right Back.
Bumhunter - A poker players who searches only for the losing players of new players. This is a player who does not play against the winning players.
Bump - To raise.
Big Lick - This is used to refer a poker hand in Hold'em of a 6-9.
Big Slick - One of the best starting hands which refers to an Ace-King.
Big Bet Poker - This refers to games that are no-limit or pot limit games.
Brick - A card that does not mean anything to the player. It is also known as a blank card.
Buy-In - This is an amount that is paid by the player to participate in an online poker tournament.
Bycycle/ Bike - This is a hand which is formed by a combination of 5 cards and is the lowest straight consisting of an Ace i.e. 5, 4, 3, 2, A.
Bot - This is a poker tool that plays for an individual and also making decisions such as to bet, call, raise or fold.
Burn Card - A card which is discarded by the dealer from the top of the deck before the flop, turn and river.
Bust - When a poker player is busted out of the tournament.
Busto - A term which is often used in poker referring to a player who is broke.
Box - The area on a poker table which is occupied by the dealer.
Broadway - A nut straight consisting of a Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace.
BTW - An acronym which is often used in chat rooms meaning By The Way.
Bullet - Refers to a buyin or a bet.
Bullets - Refers to pocket aces.
Bwin - A European sportsbook, casino and poker room.
C
Cake Poker - One of the top ten online poker rooms available which was founded in 2004.
Call - This is a term used in poker referring to a bet made by a player that matches to the highest bet in the pot. This is a bet made by a player is s/he is staying in.
Calling Clock - This is the countdown for a player to make action.
Calling Station - A poker player you can't bluff with. S/he will always make a call for every hand you got and you would have to avoid such players only in the event you are holding a strong hand.
Cap or Capping - This is a term used in limit Texas Hold'em (Poker) for a player who wagers the final money prior to the highest allotted number of raises.
Caribbean Stud Poker - This is a 5 card stud game where players get to play against the house.
CPT - The Canadian Poker Tour.
Capped - This is when the highest wagering amount is met and the betting round is ended.
Change Color - The changing of chips from one color to another. For example, when you change your chips into another denomination.
Card Cap - This is a marker which is placed on your cards so as to show that you are still playing in the game.
Cash Out - Exchanging your chips into money and exiting the casino game.
Check - This is a poker term at which a player is able to make a bet without placing any money in the pot.
Chips - These are tokens used on the casino tables which represent money.
Color Up/Out - An exchange of chips from a lower denomination to a higher denomination.
Community Cards - These are cards dealt face-up on the board and players are able to share these cards and make a winning combination by the use of their pocket cards and the community cards.
Complete Hand - A term used in poker referring to the hand defined by all five cards i.e. flush, straight, or a full house.
Canine - this is a term used in Hold'em referring to a player who has been dealt with a K-9.
Credit Button - This is a term used in video poker referring to the button which allows a player to bank his or her coins won and also to make use of the credits without depositing more money.
Cycle - This is a term in video poker referring to the statistics of the average hands played per top jackpot.
Cut - This is when a dealer divided the deck of playing cards into two parts after they have been shuffled.
Cut Card - This is a tough plastic card which is used by dealers to cut the deck.
Cutoff Seat - This is a term used in poker referring to the seat at the right of the dealer button.
Carbon Poker - An online poker room which is part of the Merge Gaming Network.
Cash Game - This is when the antes and blinds remain constant and actually money is being won. This is similar to ring games.
Cashier - This is where players make their deposits as well as cash outs.
Center Pot - This is used to refer to the main pot.
Chess - This is when poker player base the poker game on skill rather than luck.
Circuit - A series of poker tournaments that are unified by several companies.
Clean Out - Taking all chips from an opponent.
Connector - Poker cards that work together. These are known as connecting cards.
Cowboys - A nickname used in Texas Hold'em referring to pocket kings (KK).
D
Dealer - A casino employee in charge of the table.
Dealer's Position - This is also known as the dealer button placed on a spot during the betting round.
Deposit - The amount of money that you place into your casino account through making use of several online payment options.
Discard Rack - This is a section on the table to place cards that have been used.
Draw - A term used in draw poker where players get to discard their cards and the dealer replaces the card.
Drawing Dead - This is an online poker hand that will lose no matter if the hand improves.
Drawing Hand - This is a hand that would need to improve so as to win the pot. For example, when you are trying to make a flush when you are one card shot.
Draw Button - A term used in video poker at which players are able to draw five new cards.
Down Card - This is a term used in blackjack referring to the dealer's card that is face-down.
E
eCOGRA - Acronym for e-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance.
Edge - This is the advantage of the casino over the player and it is also known as the house edge.
Eye-in-the-Sky - These are the cameras in the casinos which are over-head above the tables.
Expected Return - This is a term used in video poker referring to the average amount paid back per day or the amount paid back to a player for a particular bet.
F
Fish - this is a term given to online poker players who are loose or players who can not play well.
Face Cards - The jack, queen, or king of each suite.
Flash Casino - This is when the online casino offers you with software that you can play using the browser without the need of you downloading it band installing it on to your computer.
Fifth Street - This is a poker term referring to the last card dealt on the board in Hold'em games
Forth Street - the forth card dealt on the board in Hold'em games.
Flop - This is a poker term referring to the second betting interval and three community card face -up (exposed) will be placed on the center of the poker table.
Flush - A hand in poker which consists of five cards of the same suit.
Fold - A term used in poker at which a player is able to decline the bet and sit out.
Full House - A poker hand consisting of a three-of-a-kind and a pair.
Four Of A Kind - A poker hand consisting of four cards of the same rank. It is also known as quads e.g, 4 Aces, 4 Queens, 4 Tens.
Full Pay - Term used in video poker referring to the best payout offered for a particular period during game session.
H
Hand - This is the cards that are given to a player. Literally, a hand refers to the cards that a player is holding.
House - The host / the casino providing the games for you to play.
Hole Card - The card of the dealer which is face-down (not exposed).
High Card - Cards higher than 9 excluding Aces. In poker, it refers to lowest hand.
High limit - in poker, this is the high bets that are being used by the table.
I
ICM - Independent Chip Modeling.
Independent Chip Modeling - a way used in poker to analyze the expected value.
Idiot End - This is the low end of a straight.
IDK - an acronym which is often used in poker chat rooms meaning I don't know.
iMEGA - The Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association.
In For The Minimum - The amount of money that a player has spent in a rebuy tournament.
In The Hunt - A player who is still in the tournament and has the potential of winning.
Insta-Call - When a player makes an immediate call with no hesitation.
IRL - Acronym for in real life.
iPoker Network - This is the 3rd biggest poker room network in the world.
ITT - An acronym which is often used in poker forums meaning In This Thread.
J
Jackpot - The prize that is won by a player if s/he achieves the objectives required by the casino on its various games.
L
Let It Ride - a poker card game.
Live Hand - A hand that has not been folded.
Low Card - Cards lower than 6.
Low Limit - A table that requires low limits only.
Laydown - Refers to an act of folding a hand.
LAPC - Los Angeles Poker Classic.
LAG - This is often used to refer to a poker style of play which is the 'loose Aggressive'.
LAPT - A series of poker tournaments that takes place in South America and Central America.
Lock - A strong poker hand which is unbeatable.
Lock Lock - This is a term used in Omaha hi-lo referring to a player who has an unbeatable strong hand that is low and high.
Limp - Same as big blind.
Lobby - This is the area where players get to select thee various table stakes as well as checking your account balance and also to include tournaments available.
Longhanded - A poker table which has got 6 or more players.
Loose - A player who often play all hands that are dealt to him or her.
M
Made Hand - A hand which does not need a draw.
Monkey - This is a term for a card whose face value is ten.
Micro-Limit - The cheapest online games available.
Minraise - a raise which is equal to the original bet.
MTT - Multi-Table Tournament.
Multi Accounting - When players use more than one account in tournaments.
Mixed Game - These are poker game variants that are played on the same table with the same opponents.
Monster - A very high poker hand.
Move In - A term used in poker when a player bets with everything s/he has.
Multitable - When a player is able to play more than one poker game online at one poker room.
N
Non-negotiable - chips which cannot be exchanged for cash.
Nut - The amount which is fixed for gamblers to win.
NC - Nice Call.
NAPT - North American Poker Tour.
NLD - Nice Lay down.
NSFW - Not Safe For Work.
No-Limit - This is a poker variant at which player are able to bet with the maximum size of their stakes at any given time.
Negative Expectation - When a poker player loses money during a long run.
Nosebleed - Poker games of high stakes.
Nut Air - A term used to refer to a poker player who has the best hand with out holding a pair.
Nut Nut - Similar to Lock Lock, This is a term used in Omaha hi-lo referring to a player who has an unbeatable strong hand that is low and high.
Nuts - Players absolute best hand.
O
Odds - The amount or ratio probabilities that a bet pays. For example, 3-2, 2-1.
Open - in poker, the first bet in a betting interval.
Overcards - A card that is higher than the community cards.
Observer - Some one who is not playing in the game but just looking at how the players are playing in the game.
OFC - An acronym which is often used in poker chat rooms and forums meaning 'Of Course'.
OESFD - An acronym which is used in poker meaning 'Open-Ended Straight Flush Draw'.
OESD - An acronym which is used in poker meaning 'Open-Ended Straight Draw'.
Offsuit - Cards that are of different suits.
Omaha - A poker game variant at which player are dealt with four cards and they would have to construct the best hand out of any of their two cards and any three community cards.
Omaha Hi-Lo - A poker game variant similar to Omaha but this time player get to construct the best low hand and high hand. The pot is split between the players who have a high hand and a low hand.
OOP - A term used in poker circles meaning Out Of Position.
Option - This is the option given to the player with the big blind whether s/he must raise or check.
OTB - A poker term meaning On The Button.
Overbet - A bet which is higher than the size of the pot.
Outs - These are cards that a player is able to get so as to develop his or her hand in to a winning hand.
Overcall - This is a call made when players have made heavy action during the betting interval.
P
Pair - A poker hand that consists of two cards of the same rank. For example, 2 kings, 2 Aces and so on.
Pass - to fold or decline bet.
Pocket Cards - The cards dealt to the player.
Pit - This is the section on the table which is restricted only to the dealers.
Pre-flop - This is a poker term which refers to the initial betting interval before the flop.
Player - The person who is wagering on the table.
Pot - A term used in poker, this is where players get to place their bets and the pot is situated at the center of the table. The pot is awarded to the player who has the highest hand.
Party Poker - One of the top ten online poker rooms available.
Pass - A poker term which is similar to saying 'fold'.
Passive - A poker players who does not play aggressively and rarely bets.
Pay Off - When a player makes a call with a losing hand.
PFR - This is a poker term meaning Pre Flop Raise.
PCA - PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.
Play the Board - When players make use of the five community cards to construct a strong hand.
Playthrough - This is the amount of action that is required by a poker room so as to earn your deposit bonus.
PLO - An acronym for a poker variant meaning Pot Limit Omaha.
PLO8 - An acronym for a poker variant meaning Pot-Limit Omaha Hi Lo 8-or-better.
Poker Affiliate - an independent poker third party marketer. The marketer simply refers other people to play poker games at the various online poker rooms that s/he has advertised and in return s/he gets to earn a commission from the online poker rooms for referrals that they obtained.
Pocket - These are the down cards that are dealt to the poker player.
Poker Bonuses - These are bonuses that are given to poker players and also to include new players. The bonuses can be in the form of cash or loyalty points.
PokerStars - The largest online poker room available which is ranked top of the chats.
PokerTracker - A poker tool or software that is used by poker players to analyze various players hand histories and also to include player's previous performance.
Position - The position of the poker player on the table in relation to the dealer button.
PPP - A term used in poker meaning Poker Professional Player.
Q
Qualifier - In poker, this is the amount that is required to meet the minimum bets required by a table.
R
Rake - This is the small amount that a casino takes from the pot for each poker hand played. Usually the casino rakes ranges from 5-10% or a fixed fee that is taken from each pot after a betting round.
Rank - the value of a set of cards.
Raise - in poker, This is when a player increases the total amount required by a previous bet.
Rag / Rags - Cards that are worthless.
Rock - A player who plays rigid and calm.
River - A poker term referring to the fifth betting interval at which a fifth card (community card) is placed on the table.
Ring Game - This is a term in poker referring to the regular poker games excluding tournaments.
Rebuy - In poker, this is whereby you lose all your money and you purchase addition chips to get back into the poker tournament.
Royal Flush - This is a term used in poker referring to a straight flush which consists of 5 cards A, K, Q, J, 10. This is the highest hand that a player can get if no wild cards are used in poker.
Rakeback - The amount of money that is given back to poker players by online affiliate programs. Players get to receive a percentage of their money that was taken by the house.
Razz - A poker variant at which player would have to make the best lowest hand.
Rock - A player who play a calm and solid game style.
RPT - Russian Poker Tour.
S
Suited - Cards that are of the same suit.
Singleton - This is a term used in poker referring to a card that is of its own rank.
Show Down - In poker, if two or more players remain in the game after the last betting interval (river) players would have to show (expose) their hands and the pot is awarded to the player with the highest hand.
Steal - Winning the pot through the use of a technique called bluffing.
Straight - A poker hand consisting of 5 cards in a sequence e.g. 5, 4, 3, 2, A.
Straight Flush - A poker hand consisting of five cards in a sequence of the same suit.
Stud Poker - A poker game which has no draws.
T
Three Of A Kind - A poker hand consisting of three cards of the same rank.
Trips - This is a term in poker referring to Three-of-A-kind.
Two Pair - A hand in poker which consists of a combination two set of pairs e.g. 2 Kings & 2 Aces.
Tight - A player who does not fold his or her hand easily.
Turn - This is a term used in poker referring to the forth betting interval at which the forth card (community card) is dealt on the table face up.
Table Stakes - The amount of money required by a table, the bets on the table are known as early bet limits and late bet limits.
Tell - An act that is done by a player such that other opponents will be able to predict the player's hand.
U
Upcard - In Blackjack, this is the card of the dealer which is exposed to the players before they play their hands.
W
Wired - When your pocket cards are of the same rank.
Whale - High roller.
Wild card - This is a term referred to a card such as a joker or any other card used which is not part of the 52 cards in the deck.
