POKER GLOSSARY OF TERMS
A - K
- ANTE -- An initial bet, or portion of such, that is put into the pot by each player at the outset of a hand. Customarily this is not the case in a hold'em game. The "blinds" usually perform the same function.
- ALL-IN -- The condition where one has utilized all the chips at one's disposal in the process of making a bet or calling a bet.
- BAD BEAT -- A hand that is a huge favorite that winds up losing, often in the most upsetting way. Generally the opponent that succeeds in this situation has done so from a much lower percentage position.
- BIG SLICK -- This is a nickname for the Ace-King combination as it is dealt as the first two cards to a player in a hold'em game.
- BLIND -- A bet that has to be put forward by one or more players before the hand is dealt. Theoretically, you are betting on the "blind."
- BOARD -- All the community cards in hold'em. It consists of the flop (the first three cards), the turn (the 4th card) and the river (the 5th card).
- BOTTOM PAIR -- A pair that is made with the lowest-ranked card in the flop. If you're sitting with a 10 and a 3, for example, and the flop comes A-J-3, your pair of threes is a "bottom pair."
- BURN -- As a safeguard against a player seeing or recognizing the next card to be dealt before abetting round, the dealer will "burn" a card, i.e., discard the top card from the deck and put it face down. This term is also used to describe the first card or series of cards taken out of a blackjack show and placed in the discard rack after the shuffle.
- BUY -- To put in enough money, as a ploy, to induce other players to fold their hand (and not call you) for fear that one has a superior hand.
- BUY-IN -- This is what it costs to enter a tournament, when such fees are applicable. There are two components - what goes into the actual prize pool (to be distributed to winners) and what goes to the house. It is generally expressed in that way; for example, $50+$5 means that $50 will go to the prize pool, and $5 to the house.
- CALL -- To put forward an amount that is equal to the last bet or the last raise at a table. For example, if a player bets $50, then raises $20, that means to "call" you will need to bet $70.
- CALLING STATION -- A player who has a tendency to call, but not necessarily raise or fold up his hand.
- CASE -- The last card of a certain denomination that is left in the deck.
- CHAT -- Conversations (usually typed, though sometimes in voice) people have online as they are playing against one another.
- CHECK -- This can mean two things in poker. It is another name for a poker chip. Also, it is the act of not betting or raising, but staying pat with one's money on a betting round.
- CLEAN OUT -- A card that will make your hand the best it can possibly be.
- CONNECTOR -- A starting hand (two cards, as they are dealt in a hold'em game) that are one apart in rank; for instance, a 9 and an 8.
- DEAD MONEY -- Money in the pot that is contributed by a player who is no longer involved in the pot.
- DRAW DEAD -- This denotes a tough road to hoe. It is a situation where you are attempting to achieve a hand, but even if you do achieve it, you will most likely not win the pot.
- FAMILY POT -- Where a number of players - perhaps all of them - call before the cards are flopped.
- FISH -- An inept player. A stiff. A sucker. A laydown. This player misplays hands, and consequently gives away money. The ideal opponent to have at the table if you want to be successful.
- FLOP -- These are the first three community cards on the "Board," dealt at the same time. These, like the other community cards, are common to all players.
- FREE ROLL -- If you are at a point in the flop where you and your opponent are tied, but you have an opportunity to in the entire pot while your opponent can not (generally because of an advantageous suit), you are "free rolling." You are, in effect, "siding" the pot, which means you will either tie or win, but you can not lose it. This term also refers to the kind of tournament you can enter without an entry fee; once again, with the idea that you can win, but you can't lose anything.
- GAP HAND -- As opposed to a connector, your two-card starting hand contains cards that are more than one rank apart (like an 8 and a 5).
- HEADS-UP -- Where only two players are in contention for a pot.
- HIT -- When the cards dealt in the flop help your hand, they are said to have "hit" you.
- JACKPOT -- Sometimes known as a "bad beat jackpot." It is offered in many brick-and-mortar casinos, and some online poker rooms. It is a bonus that is paid to someone who loses with a very good hand. How good a hand that is depends on what parameters the establishment has placed on the promotion. It is designed to cushion the blow caused by bad beats, which is a very humane idea.
- JAM -- The act of moving all-in (with one's chips), generally in a no-limit poker game.
- KICKER -- A card that is not part of a pair that will, in essence, break a tie. If you and your opponent have the same high card in the hole - and a card of the same rank comes up in the flop, you will be tied, but who has the higher "kicker" will win the hand. That's important in hold'em, since in that situation it is the only meaningful card that is different between the two players.
