Like any other profession, poker has its language. And while you don’t need to know all terminologies to play the game, some terms are essential to know. This blog post will look at some of the most commonly used poker terms and what they mean. So whether you’re just getting started playing poker games or looking for a refresher, read on for a rundown of some essential poker lingo!
Ante
A small amount of money that all players must put into the pot before each hand is dealt.
Acting out of turn
When a player makes a move before it is their turn. This move can confuse other players and is generally considered bad etiquette.
All-in
When a player bets all of their chips on a single hand.
Bad beat
When a player with a strong hand loses to a player with a weaker hand. For example, if you have a full house and your opponent has two pair, but they end up winning the hand with a higher two pair because you folded, that would be considered a bad beat.
Bankroll
The total amount of money that a player has to gamble with.
Big blind
A mandatory bet that the player in two spots to the dealer’s left must make before each hand is dealt. The big blind is typically twice the size of the small blind.
Bluff
When a player bets or raises with a hand that is not strong enough to win in hopes of forcing other players to fold.
Board
The community cards dealt in the middle of the table and shared by all players.
Buy-in
The minimum amount of money required to join a particular game or tournament.
Call
When a player matches the current bet to stay in the hand.
Check
When a player does not want to make a bet but does want to stay in the hand, they can check.
Chip
A small disc that is used as currency in poker games. Poker chips have different values depending on their color.
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Color up
When a player exchanges smaller value chips for larger value chips. This move is typically made when players leave a game and want to cash out their chips.
Dealer
The person responsible for dealing the cards during a poker game. In casinos and online poker rooms, there is usually a dealer button to indicate who the current dealer is.
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Flat call
When a player calls a bet without raising.
Flop
The first three community cards dealt in a hand of Texas Hold’em.
Fold
When a player doesn’t want to match the current bet and decides to forfeit their hand.
Fourth street
In community card games like Hold’em and Omaha, the fourth street is the fourth board card dealt, also known as ‘the turn.’
Free card
When players check on one round of betting and no bets are made, the next card is dealt without any betting. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as a ‘free ride.’
Kicker
In some cases, two players might have the same hand (e.g., two pairs). The highest unpaired card is used as a tiebreaker and is known as the kicker.
Limper
A player who just calls the big blind instead of raising or folding when first to act preflop.
Muck
The pile of discarded cards in the middle of the table. Players muck their cards when they fold or lose a hand.
Heads-up
A term used to describe a situation where only two players are still playing in a hand, typically when all other players have folded.
Limit
A type of poker in which bets and raises are capped at a set amount. For example, in a $2/$4 limit game, the most you could bet or raise on any given round is $4.
No-limit
A type of poker where there is no limit on how much you can bet or raise on any given round. This situation makes for potentially huge pots!
Poker Hands
The cards you are dealt in a particular round of poker.
Pot
The total amount of money bet by all players in a given hand.
Raise
The move to increase the size of the current bet. For example, if the current bet is $4, you could raise it to $8.
River
The last or final card dealt in a hand of poker. This card is also sometimes referred to as “fifth street.”
Showdown
The point at which all remaining players reveal their hands and the best hand is declared the winner.
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Turn
The fourth card dealt in a hand of poker, also sometimes referred to as “fourth street.”
Learn more terms when you play poker online.
And that’s just a start! These are some of the most commonly used poker terms, but many more are out there. As you continue to play and learn the game, you’ll pick up more and more of the lingo. And before you know it, you’ll be speaking like a pro! And if you want to up your game even further, sign up with GGPoker today – the world’s largest poker room. With over 10 million registered users, you can find plenty of action anytime. It even has poker free games you can enjoy! See you at the table!
