Poker Terminology

Betting all of your remaining chips. You can still win the pot up to the amount you wagered, but any side pot goes to other players.

A forced bet that all players must post before the hand begins, common in tournaments to increase action.

A raise made by a player who initially called a bet or raise, then re-raises after another player raises behind them. Example: Player A raises, Player B calls, Player C raises, and Player B then re-raises. Usually a sign of significant strength (AA/KK trapping), especially in live low- and mid-stakes tournaments. Occasionally used as a bluff or squeeze play.

Losing a hand where you had a strong statistical advantage. Example: AA losing to 72o.

A draw that needs both the turn and river to complete. Also called a "runner-runner" draw.

The total amount of money a player has set aside specifically for poker.

The larger of two forced bets, posted by the player two seats to the dealer's left. Sets the minimum bet for pre-flop action.

A forced bet made before cards are dealt. There's a small blind and big blind in Texas Hold'em.

Having a card in your hand that reduces the probability your opponent holds certain strong hands.

The community cards dealt face-up in the center of the table.

An Ace-high straight: A-K-Q-J-10.

The period just before the money in a tournament. The last player to bust before getting paid "bursts the bubble."

The dealer position — the most advantageous seat, acting last on all post-flop streets.

The amount of money required to enter a tournament or cash game.

A bet made by the pre-flop aggressor on the flop, continuing their show of strength regardless of whether the flop helped them.

Matching the current bet to stay in the hand.

Declining to bet when no one has bet yet, passing the action to the next player.

Checking to a bettor then raising their bet. A sign of strength, often used to trap or build pots.

The total number of chips a player has.

A hand where you lose but played correctly — both players had strong hands. Example: KK vs AA.

Money in the pot from players who are no longer in the hand.

Betting into the pre-flop aggressor from out of position on the flop. Often weak but can be strategic.

A period of sustained losses, often due to bad luck but can be caused by poor play.

A hand that needs more cards to become strong. A flush draw needs one more card of the same suit.

The smaller of two players' chip stacks — the maximum amount that can be won or lost between them.

Your percentage chance of winning the pot at any given moment. AA has 85% equity vs KK pre-flop.

The average amount of money a play will win or lose over time. Positive EV (+EV) = profitable long-term.

A popular equity calculator tool used to study poker ranges and board textures.

The first three community cards dealt face-up.

Four cards of the same suit; one more needed to make a flush. Approximately 35% to complete by the river.

Discarding your hand and giving up your claim to the pot.

The portion of your win rate that comes from opponents folding to your bets or raises.

A tournament with no buy-in cost but real money prizes.

A perfectly balanced strategy that cannot be exploited. Useful as a baseline; beginners should focus on exploitative play first.

An inside straight draw — only one card rank can complete your straight. About 8.5% per card.

A record of the cards, bets, and actions that occurred during a poker hand.

A game or situation with only two players.

Calling a large bet with a medium-strength hand believing your opponent is bluffing.

Heads-Up Display — software that overlays opponent statistics during online play.

A mathematical model for calculating the dollar value of your chips based on prize pool and payout structure.

Acting after your opponent on a street. A significant advantage.

A side card used to break ties. If two players both have a pair of kings, the higher second card wins.

A consistent mistake in your game that costs you money over time.

Calling the big blind pre-flop rather than raising. Generally considered a weak play in tournaments.

A player who plays many hands and enters pots frequently.

The smallest legal raise — exactly double the current bet.

To fold your hand or discard cards without showing them.

An extremely tight, conservative player who only plays premium hands.

The best possible hand given the community cards. Unbeatable at that moment.

Four consecutive cards where either end can complete the straight. About 31% to complete by the river.

Acting before your opponent on a street. A significant disadvantage.

Cards remaining in the deck that will improve your hand. A flush draw has 9 outs; a straight draw has 8.

A bet larger than the current pot size. A powerful polarizing move.

A pocket pair higher than any card on the board. Pocket Kings on a J-7-3 board is an overpair.

The increase in prize money between payout positions in a tournament.

Two hole cards of the same rank. AA, KK, 22 — all pocket pairs.

Where you sit relative to the dealer button, determining when you act. Position is one of the most important concepts in poker.

The ratio of the current pot size to the cost of calling. Used to decide if calling a draw is profitable.

The round of betting before the first three community cards are dealt.

A small bet made to gain information about the strength of opponents' hands.

Increasing the current bet. Forces opponents to call more or fold.

The full set of hands a player might have given their actions. Thinking in ranges is crucial for advanced play.

Buying more chips after losing yours in the early levels of certain tournaments.

The fifth and final community card dealt.

Hitting two consecutive needed cards on the turn and river to make a hand.

Betting or raising with a drawing hand that has the potential to improve to the best hand. Better than pure bluffing.

Three of a kind made with a pocket pair plus one matching board card. More hidden than trips.

Going all-in with all your chips.

A separate pot created when one or more players are all-in. Players with more chips continue betting into the side pot, which the all-in player cannot win.

A player with a small chip stack relative to the blinds or average stack.

Playing a strong hand weakly to disguise its strength and trap opponents.

The smaller of two forced bets, posted by the player immediately to the dealer's left.

Throwing chips directly into the pot, making it hard to count. Usually not allowed — place bets in front of you.

The effective stack divided by the pot size. Low SPR = commit with strong top pair. High SPR = more caution needed.

Raising from late position to win the blinds without a contest.

Placing chips in multiple motions without declaring "raise" first. Illegal in most games.

Two hole cards of the same suit that are consecutive in rank (e.g., 7♥8♥). Great for making flushes and straights.

Spending a long time thinking about a decision.

Playing emotionally rather than rationally, usually after a bad beat. One of the biggest leaks for beginners.

A player who plays few hands and only enters pots with strong holdings.

Pairing the highest card on the board with one of your hole cards.

The fourth community card dealt, after the flop.

The first player to act pre-flop — immediately to the left of the big blind. The worst pre-flop position.

Betting to get called by worse hands. The goal is to maximize money won when you have the best hand.

The natural swings in results due to luck in poker. In the short-term, luck dominates; skill wins in the long run.

Voluntarily Put money In Pot — the % of hands a player plays. A key stat for understanding player tendencies.

The lowest possible straight: A-2-3-4-5. The Ace acts as a 1 in this case.