POKER GLOSSARY OF TERMS
L- Z
- LEAK -- A weakness to a player's game - probably that which can be exploited by more skillful opponents.
- LIVE -- Cards that are "live" are those not also present in an opponent's hand that happens to be stronger. Let's say you have J,8 and your opponent has J,9. If Jacks flop he will be ahead of you; however, your eight is "live" because if you flop an 8 you have the potential to wind up with the better hand.
- MADE HAND -- Generally a hand that is good enough to win. MICRO-LIMIT -- Games with super low limits, usually played online.
- NO-LIMIT -- Just as the name implies, this is a type of poker in which the player can bet any and all chips he has at his disposal.
- NUTS -- Refers to the best possible hand a player can have, given the circumstances, i.e., what is present on the board (consisting of the three-card flop, the turn and the river card).
- OFFSUIT -- A two-card starting hand in hold'em in which the cards are of different suits.
- ONE-GAP -- Derived from the "gap hand,' in which the cards are a rank apart. In this case, it is a starting two-card hand in hold'em where the cards are two apart in rank, such as an 8 and a 6.
- OUT -- A card that will give you a winning hand. If you're trying to make a straight, your outs are one or two at the most. If you're seeking a club flush, for example, you might actually have many outs.
- OVERCALL -- Calling a bet after one or more players has already called it.
- OVERCARD -- Something you have in your hand that is higher than anything present on the board.
- OVERPAIR -- A pair in the pocket that is higher than anything in the flop.
- PAT -- A hand that you are able to achieve through the flop.
- PLAY THE BOARD -- Where you are in the pot, but the best possible hand doesn't use any of your cards, instead using those that are on the board.
- POST -- To put forth a "blind" bet.
- POT LIMIT -- A type of poker where the player can bet any amount of money up to that which at that time is in the pot.
- PROTECT -- To put more money into a pot so that money you've already invested in it might be - by your own perception anyway - wasted.
- PUT ON -- To put a player on a hand, you are operating under the assumption that he has a particular hand, or is trying to make one, for purposes of guiding you toward a decision you have to make in a given situation.
- QUADS -- Another name for Four of a Kind.
- RAGGED -- Describes a board that doesn't really help anybody's position.
- RAKE -- Money taken out of every pot by the house.
- RANK -- The numerical value of a card.
- REBUY -- An option offered in some poker tournaments that allows the player to buy back into a tournament after having lost his chips.
- RING GAME -- Represents regular poker play, with real money being contested, as opposed to tournaments (for the most part). RIVER -- This is the fifth card dealt out on the "board" in a game of hold'em. It is the fifth and last community card that is available to players.
- ROCK -- A player who is very tight and is likely to play only on the best hands. This is a player generally who can be "clocked" because he is rather predictable.
- RUNNER-RUNNER -- The condition of catching the right cards for a winning hand on the turn and the river (the 4th and 5th community cards on the board).
- SATELLITE -- A tournament designed to reward its winners with something greater - usually a seat in a more substantial tournament.
- SCARE CARD -- This is the card that, when it turns up on the board, virtually assures you that you will go from a favorite in the pot to a likely loser.
- SELL -- To slightly underplay a strong hand in the hopes that players will remain in the pot and call you, rather than to bet heavily and scare everyone out.
- SET -- Making three of a kind when you already have two of a certain rank, and another one shows up on the board.
- SHORT STACK -- A small amount of chips as compared to the other players at the table.
- SHOWDOWN -- The point after the final betting round when all the players turn over their cards to determine who has the best hand and who consequently wins the pot.
- SLOW PLAY -- This goes beyond "selling.' Here you are severely underplaying a good hand with the objective of keeping as many players in the pot for as long as possible.
- SOFT PLAY -- To take it easy on another, weaker player at the table, as if to have mercy.
- SPLASH THE POT -- To throw your chips right into the pot instead of directly in front of you when you make a bet.
- SPLIT TWO-PAIR -- Where you have two cards in the pocket and two cards on the board match them.
- SPLIT POT -- A pot that is split by players who have equivalent hands.
- SPREAD-LIMIT -- Where there is a range of betting options and the player can bet any amount between the max and minimum on any round of betting.
- STRUCTURED - A kind of game where the amounts of bets and raises are structured, usually depending on whether they are made before the flop or after the flop.
- SUITED HAND -- A two-card starting hand in hold'em where the cards are of the same suit.
- TABLE STAKES -- Basically this is a restriction on the player taking money out of his pocket to bet during a hand. He is "restricted" to that which he has in front of him.
- TELL -- A subconscious signal a player makes that gives information about the strength of his position and/or what he may do next. Knowledge of tells is critical to playing at the highest levels of poker.
- THIN -- Having very few "outs" on a hand.
- TILT -- To play in a manner that is "out of control' at the table. Players on tilt need to regroup and regain control.
- TOKE -- A tip to the dealer.
- TOP PAIR -- A pair made with the highest-ranked card in the flop.
- TOP TWO -- Like a top pair, except it's two pair with the two highest-ranked cards in the flop.
- TOP AND BOTTOM -- Two pairs, made with the highest and lowest cards in the flop.
- TRIPS -- Another name for Three of a Kind.
- TURN -- This is the fourth card dealt on the "board," and the 4th available community card for players in hold'em.
- UNDER THE GUN -- Situation where the player must be the first one to act in a betting round.
- UNDERDOG -- A player who is not the favorite to win a pot.
- WHEEL -- A straight from the Ace through the five.
