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Reference
115 essential poker terms explained. Search or filter by category to find what you need.
A player's turn to act, or the general activity at the table. 'The action is on you' means it's your turn to make a decision.
Example
The action was on the big blind after two players limped.
A stat measuring how aggressively a player plays: (Bets + Raises) / Calls. Higher numbers indicate more aggressive players.
Betting all of your remaining chips. If you cannot match a bet, you go all-in for a side pot.
Example
With $150 behind and facing a $200 bet, you go all-in for $150.
A forced bet, usually small, that all players must post before a hand begins. More common in tournaments and stud games.
Example
With $25/$50 blinds and a $5 ante, every player puts in $5 before the cards are dealt.
A draw that requires hitting on both the turn AND river to complete. Also called a 'runner-runner' draw.
Example
Holding A♠ 3♠ on a K♠ 7♦ 2♣ board — you need two more spades (runner-runner) for a flush.
Losing a hand despite being a significant statistical favorite. The winning hand caught a lucky card.
Example
Your aces get cracked by 7-2 offsuit when the board runs out 7-7-2.
The discipline of managing your poker funds to withstand natural variance. Typically requires 20-30 buy-ins for cash games and 50-100 for tournaments.
Betting on consecutive streets. 'Double barrel' means betting flop and turn. 'Triple barrel' means betting flop, turn, and river.
Example
You c-bet the flop, bet the turn (double barrel), and fire the river (triple barrel) as a bluff.
The first wager made in a betting round when no one has bet before you.
The position two seats left of the button. Posts the larger forced bet. Acts last preflop but second postflop.
Forced bets posted by the two players to the left of the dealer button before cards are dealt. The small blind is typically half the big blind.
Example
In a $1/$2 game, the small blind is $1 and the big blind is $2.
Cards in your hand that reduce the probability of your opponent holding certain combinations.
Example
Holding A♠ on a three-spade board means your opponent is less likely to have the nut flush.
A bet or raise made with a weak hand to try to make opponents fold better hands.
Example
You bet the river with ace-high on a scary board, representing a flush you don't have.
The community cards dealt face-up in the center of the table, shared by all players. Consists of the flop (3 cards), turn (1 card), and river (1 card).
Example
The board read A♠ K♦ 7♣ 2♥ 9♠, giving players five community cards to combine with their hole cards.
The character of the community cards and how they interact with likely hand ranges. Boards can be 'dry' (disconnected) or 'wet' (coordinated with many draws).
Example
K♠ 7♦ 2♣ is a dry board. J♠ T♠ 9♦ is a very wet board.
Slang for a full house (three of a kind plus a pair).
Example
Aces full of kings is the best possible boat.
The highest possible straight: A-K-Q-J-10. Also refers to any card ten or higher (broadway cards).
The dealer position and the most advantageous seat at the table. The button acts last on every postflop street.
The amount of money required to enter a poker game or tournament.
Example
The tournament has a $100+$10 buy-in, where $100 goes to the prize pool and $10 is the fee.
To match the current bet or raise amount to stay in the hand.
A player who calls too frequently and rarely raises or folds. Exploitable by value betting thinly and avoiding bluffs.
To pass the action to the next player without betting, only possible when no bet has been made in the current round.
To check initially, then raise after another player bets. A powerful play that shows strength or can be used as a bluff.
Example
You check the flop, your opponent bets $20, and you raise to $65.
Cards dealt face-up on the board that all players share and use to make their best hand.
A bet made on the flop by the preflop raiser, continuing the aggression regardless of whether the flop helped their hand.
Example
You raised preflop with A♠ K♦, the flop comes 7♣ 4♠ 2♥, and you bet half-pot as a c-bet.
How often a player c-bets after raising preflop. Optimal frequency is typically 50-70%, varying by board texture.
A situation where two very strong hands collide and neither player can avoid losing a big pot. No mistake was made — just bad luck.
Example
Aces vs. kings preflop all-in is a classic cooler.
The position directly to the right of the button. The second-best position at the table.
The player (or position) designated to deal cards. In casino poker, the dealer button rotates clockwise each hand to determine betting order.
A standard 52-card deck used in poker, consisting of four suits (spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs) with 13 ranks each (A-K).
A hand that shares one card with an opponent's hand but has a weaker kicker. The dominated hand typically has only a ~25% chance to win.
Example
AQ vs AK — AQ is dominated because when an ace comes, AK outkicks AQ.
A bet made out of position into the preflop aggressor, 'leading into' the raiser. Often considered a beginner mistake but has strategic applications.
A derogatory term for a poor player who makes obviously bad plays. Similar to 'fish' but more insulting.
A hand that is not yet complete but has the potential to improve to a strong hand on future streets.
Example
Holding 8♠ 9♠ on a 6♠ 7♦ K♠ board gives you both a straight draw and a flush draw.
Having no outs — no possible card can give you the winning hand. The worst possible situation.
Example
Your flush draw is drawing dead if your opponent already has a full house.
The first seats to act preflop (UTG, UTG+1, UTG+2). These positions require stronger hands because many players act after you.
Your share of the pot based on the probability of winning the hand at showdown. If you have 60% equity in a $100 pot, your equity is $60.
The average amount you expect to win or lose per decision over the long run. Positive EV (+EV) decisions are profitable; negative EV (-EV) decisions lose money.
Example
Calling a $50 bet with 40% equity in a $200 pot: EV = (0.40 x $200) - (0.60 x $50) = $80 - $30 = +$50.
A weak, inexperienced player who makes many fundamental errors. The primary source of profit for skilled players.
A betting structure where bets and raises are restricted to predetermined amounts. Each street typically has a set bet size.
Calling a bet (usually on the flop) with a weak hand intending to take the pot away on a later street with a bluff.
Example
You call a flop c-bet with nothing, planning to bluff the turn if your opponent checks.
The first three community cards dealt face-up simultaneously after the first round of betting.
Example
The flop came A♠ K♦ 7♣, pairing the preflop raiser's ace.
Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. Ranked by the highest card.
Example
A♠ J♠ 8♠ 5♠ 3♠ — ace-high flush in spades.
To discard your hand and forfeit any chance of winning the current pot. You lose any chips already invested.
The additional value gained from the possibility that your opponent will fold to your bet or raise. A key component of bluffing profitability.
Four cards of the same rank. Extremely rare and almost always the best hand.
Example
Q♠ Q♦ Q♣ Q♥ A♠ — four queens.
Three of a kind plus a pair. Ranked first by the three of a kind, then the pair. Also called a 'boat.'
Example
K♠ K♦ K♣ 7♥ 7♠ — kings full of sevens.
A player who earns consistent, small profits over many hours of disciplined play rather than chasing big scores.
A mathematically balanced strategy that cannot be exploited. GTO play uses mixed strategies to make opponents indifferent between their options.
An inside straight draw needing one specific rank to complete. Has 4 outs (~8.5% per card, ~16.5% with two cards).
Example
Holding 5-7 on a board of 8-9-K — you need a 6 to complete the straight.
Either (1) the cards a player holds, or (2) one complete round of play from deal to showdown.
A poker game or situation with only two players remaining.
Example
After all other players folded, it was heads-up between the button and the big blind.
The weakest hand ranking where no pair or better is made. The highest card determines the hand's strength.
Example
A♠ K♦ 9♣ 7♥ 3♠ — Ace-high, no pair.
The position two seats to the right of the button (one seat before the cutoff). A middle-to-late position.
The private cards dealt face-down to each player. In Hold'em, each player receives exactly two hole cards.
A mathematical model used in tournaments to convert chip stacks into real-money equity based on the payout structure.
The ratio of how much you expect to win on future streets versus what you must call now. Justifies calling bets that pot odds alone would not support.
Example
Pot odds give you 4:1, but you expect to win your opponent's remaining $200 stack when you hit, giving implied odds of 10:1.
Acting after your opponent(s) on each betting street. A significant advantage because you see their action before making your decision.
An unpaired card used to break ties between hands of the same rank. The higher kicker wins.
Example
Both players had a pair of aces, but Player A won with a king kicker over Player B's queen kicker (AK vs AQ).
Loose-Aggressive — a playing style characterized by playing many hands and betting/raising frequently. Can be very profitable when executed well.
The cutoff and button positions. The most profitable seats because you act with the most information.
To enter the pot preflop by just calling the big blind rather than raising. Generally considered a weak play.
The position three seats to the right of the button. Sometimes called MP2 (middle position 2).
An extremely loose-aggressive player who bets and raises with a very wide range. Creates large pots and high variance.
The seats between early and late position (Lojack, Hijack in a full ring game). Moderate hand requirements.
The smallest legal raise, which is exactly double the previous bet or raise.
To fold or discard your hand without showing it. Also refers to the pile of discarded cards.
An extremely tight, risk-averse player who only plays premium hands. Easy to exploit because their range is very narrow and predictable.
A betting structure where players can bet any amount up to all of their chips at any time. The most popular form of Hold'em.
A flush draw to the ace-high flush, guaranteeing the best possible flush if completed.
Example
Holding A♠ 5♠ on a board with two spades — if another spade comes, you have the nut flush.
The best possible hand given the current board. Having 'the nuts' means no other hand can beat yours.
Example
On a board of A♠ K♠ Q♠ 7♦ 2♣, holding J♠ T♠ is the nut flush (ace-high flush).
An open-ended straight draw that can be completed by cards on either end. Has 8 outs (~17% per card, ~31.5% with two cards).
Example
Holding 7-8 on a board of 5-6-K — either a 4 or 9 completes the straight.
Acting before your opponent(s) on each betting street. A disadvantage because you must commit chips without seeing their action first.
A bet larger than the current pot size. Used strategically to maximize value or apply maximum pressure.
Example
The pot is $50 and you bet $75 (1.5x pot) as an overbet for value.
Two cards of the same rank. One pair beats high card.
Example
K♠ K♦ with A♣ 9♥ 4♠ — A pair of kings with an ace kicker.
Pre-Flop Raise percentage — how often a player raises preflop. Combined with VPIP, reveals a player's style. A large VPIP-PFR gap indicates passive play.
Refers to your hole cards. 'Pocket aces' means you were dealt two aces.
A betting range consisting of very strong hands (value) and bluffs, with no medium-strength hands. Common for large bet sizes.
The total amount of chips/money wagered by all players in a hand. The winner of the hand takes the pot.
A betting structure where the maximum bet or raise is limited to the current size of the pot.
The ratio of the current pot size to the amount you need to call. Used to determine if a call is mathematically profitable.
Example
The pot is $100 and your opponent bets $50. You must call $50 to win $150, giving pot odds of 3:1 (25%).
A bet equal to the current size of the pot. Offers opponents 2:1 odds on a call.
A bet made out of position on the turn after the preflop aggressor declined to c-bet the flop (checked back).
To increase the size of the current bet. A raise must be at least the size of the previous bet or raise.
The small percentage of the pot taken by the house/casino as a fee for hosting the game.
Example
The casino takes 5% rake up to a $5 maximum cap on each pot.
The entire set of hands a player could hold in a given situation, based on their actions and position.
A 3-bet is a re-raise of an initial raise. A 4-bet is a re-raise of a 3-bet, and so on. Each number indicates the count of raises.
Example
UTG opens to $6 (2-bet), you 3-bet to $18, UTG 4-bets to $45.
The potential to lose additional money on future streets when you complete your draw but your opponent has an even better hand.
Example
Drawing to a non-nut flush — if you hit, you may lose to a higher flush.
The fifth and final community card dealt after the turn betting round. Also called 'fifth street.'
An extremely tight player who only enters pots with premium hands. Similar to a nit but may play more aggressively when they do enter.
A-K-Q-J-10 all of the same suit. The highest possible hand in poker. Odds of being dealt one are approximately 650,000 to 1.
Example
A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ T♠ — a royal flush in spades.
Hitting the needed cards on both the turn AND river to complete a hand. Very unlikely (typically 1-5% probability).
Example
Needing two hearts and getting hearts on both the turn and river for a backdoor flush.
A bet or raise with a drawing hand that is currently behind but has outs to improve. Combines fold equity with showdown equity.
Example
You raise the flop with a flush draw — you can win if your opponent folds or if you hit your flush.
Calling a preflop raise with a small to medium pocket pair specifically hoping to flop a set (three of a kind). Profitable when implied odds are sufficient (typically need 15:1+).
A skilled, winning player who profits from weaker opponents.
The point after all betting rounds where remaining players reveal their hands to determine the winner.
Playing a very strong hand passively (checking or just calling) to disguise its strength and trap opponents into betting.
Example
Flopping a set and just calling your opponent's c-bet instead of raising.
The position directly to the left of the button. Posts the smaller of the two forced bets. Acts second-to-last preflop but first postflop.
The effective stack size divided by the pot size on the flop. Low SPR (<4) favors committing with top pair; high SPR (>13) requires very strong hands.
A large 3-bet preflop made after there has been a raise and one or more callers. Designed to force out multiple players.
Example
UTG raises, two players call, and you squeeze from the button with a big 3-bet to $28.
A voluntary blind bet (usually double the big blind) made preflop by the player under the gun, effectively raising the stakes.
Five consecutive cards of any suit. An ace can be high (A-K-Q-J-T) or low (5-4-3-2-A).
Example
9♠ 8♦ 7♣ 6♥ 5♠ — a nine-high straight.
Five consecutive cards of the same suit. The second-highest hand in poker.
Example
7♥ 6♥ 5♥ 4♥ 3♥ — a seven-high straight flush.
To win a hand by hitting a lucky card when you were behind. The perspective of the player who got lucky against the odds.
Tight-Aggressive — the most fundamentally sound playing style. Play few hands but play them aggressively. The recommended style for beginners.
Three cards of the same rank. A 'set' uses a pocket pair with one board card; 'trips' uses one hole card with two board cards. A set is more concealed and thus more valuable.
Example
Holding 8♠ 8♦ on a board of 8♣ K♥ 3♠ — a set of eights.
An emotional state causing a player to make suboptimal decisions, often triggered by bad beats or frustration.
To play a strong hand deceptively (checking or calling) to lure an opponent into betting or bluffing, then raising or calling for maximum value.
The fourth community card dealt after the flop betting round. Also called 'fourth street.'
Two different pairs in the same hand. Ranked by the higher pair first.
Example
A♠ A♦ K♣ K♥ 7♠ — Aces and kings, two pair.
The first position to act preflop, sitting directly to the left of the big blind. The most disadvantageous preflop position.
A bet made with a strong hand hoping to be called by a weaker hand. The opposite of a bluff.
Example
You bet $40 on the river with top pair, hoping your opponent calls with second pair.
Voluntarily Put Money In Pot — the percentage of hands a player enters preflop. A key stat for categorizing opponents. Typical winning player: 18-25% in full ring.
A wealthy player who plays for very high stakes, often without commensurate skill. Extremely valuable to the table ecosystem.
The lowest possible straight: A-2-3-4-5. Also called a 'bicycle.'