In poker, a ‘suit’ refers to one of the four categories into which the cards of a deck are divided: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades. Each suit contains 13 cards, ranging from Ace to King.
Suited Connector: A starting hand in poker where two cards are consecutive in rank and share the same suit, such as 7 and 8. These hands are valued for their potential to form straights, flushes, or straight flushes.
Super Satellite: A type of poker tournament where players compete to win an entry into a larger, often high-stakes tournament. These events typically have a lower buy-in, allowing players to qualify for major tournaments at a fraction of the cost.
Super-Bluff: A high-risk poker move involving a large bet or raise with a weak hand, designed to convince opponents to fold stronger hands.
Swap: In poker, the term ‘swap’ refers to a situation in a game like Five Card Draw where players can exchange a certain number of cards from their hand for new ones from the deck. This action is meant to improve the player’s hand by replacing less desirable cards with potentially better ones.
A “Swing” in poker refers to the fluctuations in a player’s bankroll due to the inherent variance in the game. It represents the ups and downs experienced during play, where a player may win or lose money over a series of hands or sessions. Understanding swings is crucial for managing emotions and bankroll effectively.
Table Charge: A fee paid by players to the casino or poker room for taking part in a poker game. This charge is usually collected as a set amount per player per hand or per hour, and is separate from the rake, which is a percentage taken from the pot.
In poker, the term ‘table’ refers to the surface on which the game is played. It typically holds the cards, chips, and dealer. The term can also describe the group of players seated around it.
Tell: A physical or verbal cue that a player unconsciously gives off, revealing information about their hand or intentions during a poker game.
In poker, a ‘thin’ value bet refers to a bet made with a marginal hand that is likely to be only slightly better than an opponent’s hand, aiming to extract value from weaker hands while minimizing losses if called by a stronger hand.
Three bet: A re-raise in poker, typically pre-flop, where a player raises after an initial bet and a subsequent raise, making it the third bet in that round.
Three Flush: In poker, a three flush refers to holding three cards of the same suit. This is not a strong hand on its own but can indicate a potential flush draw when combined with community cards.
In poker, a ‘Ticket’ refers to an entry to a specific poker tournament, usually won through a satellite event or given as a prize. It can also denote a voucher or slip confirming registration in the tournament.
A Tie in poker occurs when two or more players have hands of equal rank at showdown, resulting in the pot being split evenly among them.
Time Bank: An additional amount of time given to a player to make a decision during a poker hand, typically used in online poker when their regular decision time is about to expire.
A ‘time game’ in poker refers to a format where players are charged a fee based on the time spent playing, rather than a percentage of the pot (rake). This fee is usually collected every half-hour or hour.
A timid player is one who tends to play conservatively and avoids taking risks. They often fold in challenging situations, favor small bets, and are cautious about committing chips unless they have a strong hand.
Toke: A small tip given to the dealer by a player who wins a pot in a poker game. It is a common practice in live poker games to show appreciation for the dealer’s service.
In poker, a ‘Token’ refers to a physical or digital representation used for entry into a poker tournament. Tokens are often given as prizes or rewards and can be used to buy-in to specific events without using cash.
Top kicker: In poker, the ‘top kicker’ refers to the highest possible card that can be paired with another card in a player’s hand to form a winning combination, often used in conjunction with an ace or high card.
Top pair: In poker, top pair refers to a hand where a player pairs one of their hole cards with the highest-ranking community card on the board, forming a pair.
Top Set: In poker, this refers to having three of a kind using the highest-ranked card on the board and a pair from your hole cards.
Top Two Pair: In poker, a top two pair refers to a hand where a player holds two pairs, with these pairs being the highest possible given the community cards. Typically, this means pairing the two highest cards from the board with two cards from the player’s hand.
A tough player in poker is someone who is difficult to play against due to their skill, strategy, and ability to read other players. They are often unpredictable, adaptable, and maintain a strong mental game.
The tournament clock is a digital or analog display used in poker tournaments to keep track of blind levels, breaks, and overall event timing. It ensures the game progresses smoothly by informing players of the current level, time remaining, and other important details.
Tournament Fee: The additional charge paid by players on top of the buy-in for a poker tournament, which typically goes to the host or organizer as compensation for hosting the event.
Tourney: Short for tournament, it refers to a poker competition where players buy-in for a set amount and play until one player has all the chips. Payouts are made according to the finishing position.
A ‘Tracker’ is a software tool used by poker players to record, analyze, and review their gameplay data. It collects information on hands played, player statistics, win/loss rates, and other metrics, allowing players to improve their strategies and make informed decisions.
Trap Hand: A strong hand played deceptively to entice opponents into betting aggressively, allowing the player to potentially win a larger pot by disguising their strength.
Trap: A deceptive play where a player with a strong hand plays weakly to encourage opponents to bet.
Trapper: A poker player who sets a trap by playing passively with a strong hand, intending to induce opponents to bet aggressively.
Trey: A card with the rank of three in any suit, often referred to as a ‘three’.
Triple barrel: In poker, a triple barrel refers to a player making a bet on all three post-flop betting rounds – the flop, turn, and river – often as a bluff to pressure opponents into folding.
Turn C-bet: A continuation bet made on the turn, the fourth community card in Texas Hold’em, after having previously bet on the flop.
Two Flush: A poker hand situation where a player has two cards of the same suit in their hand, indicating a potential to form a flush with additional cards of the same suit on the board.
Two: In poker, “Two” generally refers to a card with the denomination of two. It is the lowest possible card in most poker games, except for lowball variants where it may be part of a winning low hand. Also known as “Deuce.”
Two-Gapper: A starting hand in poker where there are two ranks missing between the two hole cards. For example, a hand with a 5 and an 8 is a two-gapper.
A Two-Way Hand in poker refers to a hand that has the potential to win in two different ways, typically as both a high hand and a low hand in games like Omaha Hi-Lo or Stud Hi-Lo. This versatility increases the player’s chances of winning some portion of the pot.
A value bet is a strategic wager made with a strong hand, aimed at extracting additional chips from opponents who are likely to call with weaker hands. The goal is to maximize profit by enticing opponents to contribute to the pot when the bettor believes they hold the best hand.
A ‘Value Hand’ is a strong poker hand played intending to extract value by inducing calls from weaker hands. The goal is to maximize the pot by betting or raising, expecting opponents to call with worse hands.
In poker, a ‘variant’ refers to a specific version or type of the game, each with its own unique rules and structure. Examples include Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Seven-Card Stud.
A verbal bet in poker refers to a situation where a player declares their bet amount or action verbally instead of physically placing chips in the pot. This spoken commitment is binding and must be honored according to the rules of poker.
Verbal Declaration: A spoken announcement made by a player during a poker game indicating their intended action, such as betting, folding, or raising. It is binding and must be followed even if the player has not yet acted with their chips.
In poker, a ‘walk’ occurs when every player folds to the big blind, allowing them to win the pot without having to make any further moves or bets.
In poker, a ‘weak ace’ refers to a starting hand where the player holds an ace with a low kicker, usually a card ranked nine or lower. This type of hand is considered weak because the low kicker reduces the potential for creating a strong hand combination, making it vulnerable to being outkicked by opponents with a higher second card.
A weak draw in poker refers to a hand that has a low probability of improving to a winning hand. It typically involves drawing to a straight or flush with limited outs, meaning there are few cards left in the deck that can complete the desired hand. Weak draws are often risky to pursue, especially if they require multiple specific cards to become a strong hand.
Weak Kicker: In poker, a weak kicker refers to a low-ranking card that accompanies a player’s main card in a hand, often reducing the hand’s overall strength. For example, in a hand of Ace-2, the 2 is the weak kicker.
A weak player in poker is one who exhibits poor strategy, often making predictable mistakes such as calling too frequently, failing to bluff effectively, or lacking aggression. This type of player tends to be easily readable and exploitable by more skilled opponents.
A ‘Wet Board’ in poker refers to a community card board that offers many possible draws, such as straights or flushes. Typically includes multiple connected cards of the same suit or rank, increasing the potential for strong hands.
In poker, a “Whale” refers to a player who is willing to gamble large amounts of money, often without having a strong understanding of the game. They are typically targeted by more experienced players due to their loose playing style and tendency to make significant financial losses.
Wheel: A straight in poker consisting of the sequence A-2-3-4-5, also known as a “bicycle” or “ace-to-five straight.”
Wild Card: A card that can be used to represent any other card chosen by the player, often used to complete a winning combination.
Wild Game: A poker game characterized by loose play where players frequently call, raise, and bluff, often resulting in large pots and unpredictable outcomes.
In poker, ‘window’ refers to the first card dealt face up on the flop in games like Texas Hold’em or Omaha.
Winning Hand: The combination of cards held by a player that ranks higher than the hands of all other players in a poker game.
A wired pair refers to a starting hand in poker where a player is dealt two cards of the same rank, also known as a pocket pair. For example, being dealt two Kings or two 7s as a starting hand.
Woppitzer: A humorous or informal term used in poker to describe a hand with a 9 and a 2 of any suits, often considered a weak hand.
Wrap: A drawing hand in Omaha poker that has a large number of outs to make a straight. It typically involves four or more cards that can connect with community cards to form a straight.
Younger Hand: In poker, the term ‘Younger Hand’ refers to the second player to act in a two-player game, such as heads-up poker. This player is positioned to the right of the dealer, also known as ‘the button,’ and acts after the ‘Elder Hand’ or the first player to act in the round.
A-Game: Refers to a poker player’s best possible performance, characterized by optimal decision-making, focus, and strategic execution without emotional or psychological distractions.
ABC Poker: A straightforward, conventional style of playing poker that relies on basic strategies and avoids complex or deceptive plays. Often characterized by tight and aggressive play, focusing on value betting strong hands and folding weaker ones.
ABI (Average Buy In): The average amount of money spent to enter poker tournaments over a specific number of events. Calculated by dividing the total buy-ins by the number of tournaments played.
Ace High is a poker hand where the highest card is an Ace, with no other combinations such as pairs or straights.
Ace Out: The situation in a poker game where a player wins a hand by holding an Ace as the highest card, often in a showdown scenario.
Ace to Five Triple Draw: A lowball poker variant where players aim for the lowest hand possible. Each player receives five cards, with three drawing rounds allowing them to replace any number of cards. Aces are low, and straights and flushes are ignored. The best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5.
Ace to Five: A poker hand ranking system where straights, flushes, and straight flushes are not considered. Aces are low, making the best possible hand A-2-3-4-5.
Aces Full of Kings: A full house poker hand consisting of three Aces and two Kings.
Aces Full: A full house hand in poker consisting of three aces and any pair.
Aces Up: A poker hand consisting of two pairs, one of which is a pair of aces.
Acey-Deucey: A poker variant, similar to Red Dog, where players bet on the likelihood that the rank of a third card falls between the ranks of two previously dealt cards. The game is also known for being fast-paced and involves strategic betting.
Action refers to the opportunity to act or make a decision in a poker game. It can also describe the betting activity in a hand, such as aggressive betting or raising. Additionally, ‘action’ can imply a game with frequent betting and large pots.
In poker, “action only” refers to a situation where a player goes all-in, and the remaining players can only call or fold. This rule typically applies in scenarios where a player has fewer chips than the minimum bet required, allowing them to participate in the hand without meeting the full betting requirements.
AF (Aggression Factor) is a poker term used to measure a player’s level of aggression. It is calculated by dividing the sum of a player’s bets and raises by the sum of their calls. A higher AF indicates a more aggressive player, while a lower AF suggests a more passive playing style.
Aggression in poker refers to a playing style characterized by frequent betting and raising rather than checking or calling. An aggressive player applies pressure on opponents, often forcing them to make difficult decisions. This strategy can be effective in both bluffing and extracting maximum value from strong hands.
Aggro: A style of play in poker characterized by aggressive betting and raising, often to pressure opponents into folding or making mistakes.
AIPF (All-in pre-flop): A poker play where a player bets all their chips before the community cards are dealt.
Air: A hand with little or no value, typically lacking strong cards or potential to improve.
Airball: A hand with no value, usually missing the flop entirely.
Ajax (AJ offsuit) refers to a poker hand consisting of an Ace and a Jack of different suits. It is considered a strong starting hand in Texas Hold’em and Omaha, often used for high-card strength and potential straight draws.
AI (All-in): A poker move where a player bets all their remaining chips. This can occur at any point in a hand and forces other players to either match the bet to continue playing or fold. Going all-in can be a strategic play to apply pressure or when a player has a strong hand.
In poker, “ace in the hole” refers to an ace card that is dealt face-down to a player in stud poker games, or more generally any advantageous card that remains hidden from opponents.
Ace on the River: In poker, this term refers to an ace that is dealt as the last community card (the river) in a game of Texas Hold’em or Omaha. This card can significantly impact the outcome, as it may improve a player’s hand or alter the strength of potential winning combinations.
An action card in poker is a community card that significantly influences the strength of hands, often leading to increased betting. It can complete draws or create strong hands like straights or flushes, thus prompting more aggressive play.
An action flop in poker refers to a community flop that creates strong hands or draws, leading to significant betting and raising among players.
An active player in poker is one who is still in the hand and has not folded. They are eligible to win the pot and must make decisions on their actions during the betting rounds.
Add-on: An option to buy additional chips during a poker tournament, usually offered at a specific point, typically after the rebuy period has ended.
Advantage Player: An individual who uses legal strategies to gain a statistical edge over the casino in games of chance, often through methods such as card counting or exploiting loopholes in game rules.
Advantage Tool: A piece of software or application used to provide players with statistical analysis, real-time data, and/or strategies to improve their poker game. These tools often help players make more informed decisions by offering insights into opponents’ behaviors and tendencies.
An after-hours game is a poker session that takes place outside of regular casino hours or in private settings, often involving higher stakes and fewer players. These games are typically organized among a closed group of players, emphasizing a more relaxed and informal atmosphere.
Aggressor: The player who initiates the betting or raises in a round of poker.
Aggrodonk: An aggressive yet unskilled poker player who often makes irrational bets and moves. Their unpredictable playing style can sometimes lead to significant wins or losses.
Alias: A nickname or pseudonym used by a poker player, often to maintain anonymity or create a unique persona at the table.
In poker, an ‘angle’ refers to a questionable or unethical tactic used by a player to gain an advantage over their opponents. It often involves exploiting loopholes in the rules or engaging in deceptive behavior that is technically within the rules but considered unsportsmanlike.
Anna Kournikova: In poker, this is a slang term for the starting hand consisting of an Ace and a King. The name comes from the initials “AK” and a playful nod to the former tennis player Anna Kournikova, suggesting that the hand “looks good but rarely wins.”
An ‘Announced Bet’ in poker refers to a situation where a player verbally declares their intended bet amount before placing chips into the pot. This declaration is binding and the player must follow through with the exact amount specified.
Ante Bean: A small candy or token used by players in lieu of cash for the ante bet in casual poker games.
Ante: A forced bet placed by all players before any cards are dealt, ensuring there’s money in the pot at the start of the hand.
An apologizer in poker refers to a player who constantly apologizes for their actions at the table, often after winning a hand with a perceived lucky or weak move. This behavior may be genuine or used strategically to manipulate opponents’ perceptions.
An apology card is a card dealt on the river that gives a losing player the winning hand, thus apologizing for their earlier bad luck.
Arkansas Flush: A poker hand mistakenly identified as a real flush, consisting of five cards of the same suit, but with one card substituted by a joker or wild card.
Most Common
