In poker, a ‘Live Card’ refers to a card that can still improve a player’s hand, meaning it hasn’t been seen or folded by other players. It is especially relevant in games like Texas Hold’em, where knowing whether your outs are live can influence strategic decisions.
Live Game: A poker game played in a physical setting, such as a casino or home game, as opposed to online. Players interact face-to-face and use physical chips and cards.
A live hand is one that is still in play and eligible to win the pot. It hasnt been folded, mucked, or declared dead due to rule violations or other circumstances.
A ‘Live One’ refers to a poker player who is inexperienced or unskilled, often making unpredictable and loose plays. They are typically seen as easy targets by more experienced players.
Live Player: A participant in a poker game who is actively involved in the hand, as opposed to someone who has folded or is not currently playing.
A live straddle is a voluntary blind bet made by a player before the cards are dealt, typically double the big blind, and gives the straddler the option to act last in the pre-flop betting round.
A Lo-Hand, in poker, refers to a hand that qualifies as the lowest possible hand using specific game rules. In games like Omaha Hi-Lo and Razz, the objective is to achieve the lowest hand ranking, often using the Ace as the lowest card. The Lo-Hand typically excludes straights and flushes, considering only the rank of cards.
In online poker, the lobby is the main interface where players can view available games, tournaments, and other features. It typically displays game details such as limits, stakes, and player counts, allowing players to select and join a table or event.
In poker, a ‘lock’ is a term used to describe a hand that is guaranteed to win the pot, regardless of how the remaining cards are dealt.
Lojack: The player seated two positions left of the Big Blind in a game of poker, typically the first to act in a six-handed game.
Lollipop Hand: A playful term for a weak poker hand, often used humorously to describe a hand that looks sweet but is unlikely to win.
A Loose Aggressive (LAG) player is someone who plays a wide range of hands and bets aggressively. They often raise and re-raise, applying pressure on opponents to make decisions. While they can be difficult to play against due to their unpredictable nature, their aggressive style can also lead to large losses if not managed carefully.
Loose Cannon: A player known for unpredictable and aggressive moves, often playing more hands than average and making unconventional bets.
A loose game is a poker game characterized by players frequently playing marginal or weak hands, often leading to higher action and more unpredictable gameplay.
In poker, a ‘Low Hand’ refers to the lowest ranking hand in a game that uses a split-pot format, where the pot is divided between the highest and lowest hands. A common variation is the ‘Ace-to-Five’ low hand, where aces are low and straights and flushes are ignored. The best possible low hand is A-2-3-4-5, also known as a ‘wheel.’ Low hands are typically used in games like Omaha Hi-Lo and Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo.
Lowcard: A card with a low rank, typically a card below 8, used in poker to describe a hand or situation involving smaller ranked cards.
Luckbox: A player who seems to consistently win through good fortune rather than skill, often hitting improbable hands.
Lucky River: The final community card in poker that unexpectedly improves a player’s hand, often changing the outcome of the game.
A made hand is a poker hand that does not need further improvement to potentially win a round. It consists of a complete set of cards, such as a pair or higher, that can stand strong against opponents’ hands without relying on additional cards to be dealt.
Maniac: A player who bets and raises frequently, often with weak hands, creating an unpredictable and aggressive playing style.
A marginal hand is one that is not strong enough to be considered a premium hand, but not weak enough to be folded immediately. It typically requires careful consideration based on the context of the game, including position, opponents, and potential for improvement.
Maverick: A poker hand consisting of a queen and a jack.
A mechanic is a person skilled at manipulating cards in poker to create a favorable outcome, often through sleight of hand or other deceptive practices.
Micro cash game: A low-stakes poker game where the blinds are typically very small, often less than $0.10 and $0.25. These games are popular among beginners and casual players due to their minimal financial risk and the opportunity to practice and improve skills without significant investment.
Middle pair refers to a poker hand where a player pairs one of the middle-ranking community cards on the flop with one of their hole cards. It is neither the highest nor the lowest pair on the board.
Milestone satellite: A type of poker tournament that serves as a qualifying event for a larger, more prestigious tournament. Players compete for entry into the main event rather than cash prizes. Winning a milestone satellite grants a seat in the main tournament, offering a cost-effective way for players to participate in high-stakes games.
Min Raise: The smallest possible raise in a poker game, typically twice the size of the previous bet or raise. Used strategically to control the pot or encourage opponents to fold.
A Miracle Card in poker refers to an unexpected card drawn that significantly changes the outcome by improving a player’s hand, often resulting in a win despite the odds.
Miscall: When a player verbally announces one hand but actually holds a different hand. The announced hand is irrelevant, and the actual hand is used for the outcome.
Misclick: An accidental action in online poker, such as betting or folding unintentionally due to clicking the wrong button.
Misdeal: An incorrect or invalid dealing of cards, leading to the hand being void and requiring a new deal.
Missed Blind: When a player fails to post the small or big blind on their turn, usually because they were away from the table. To rejoin the game, they must either wait until the big blind reaches their seat again or post a penalty equivalent to the missed blinds.
A Mississippi Straddle is an optional blind bet made before the cards are dealt in a poker game, typically twice the size of the big blind. It can be posted by any player, not just the one under the gun, and allows the player posting the straddle to act last in the pre-flop betting round.
A mixed strategy in poker refers to a method where a player varies their actions to remain unpredictable. This involves not consistently choosing the same action in similar situations, thereby making it harder for opponents to read or predict their moves. By balancing different strategies, such as folding, calling, or raising, players can effectively disguise their hand strength and intentions, increasing their chances of success in the game.
A monotone board is a community card setup in poker where all the cards are of the same suit. This can significantly affect the strength of hands, as it increases the possibility of flush draws and completed flushes.
Monster: A poker term referring to a very strong hand, often significantly better than the average hand in play. Typically used to describe a hand that is likely to win a large pot.
Muzzle: A poker strategy where a player deliberately stays quiet or avoids showing any reaction to their hand strength, aiming to prevent opponents from gathering information through their demeanor.
Negative freeroll: A situation in poker where a player can either tie or lose, but cannot win. It occurs when a player bets or raises with a hand that is only as strong as the current best hand on the board, without a chance of having a better hand than an opponent who might call or raise.
Neocheater: A player who uses subtle and deceptive methods to gain an unfair advantage in poker, often without breaking explicit rules but violating the spirit of fair play.
The ‘New-Breed Player’ refers to modern poker players who are characterized by their analytical approach, often utilizing advanced strategies, game theory, and technology such as software tools for analysis and practice. These players typically emphasize mathematical precision, psychological acumen, and adaptability in their gameplay.
Nit: A very tight player who plays only strong hands, often folding mediocre hands and avoiding risky situations.
No Deposit Bonus: A promotion offered by online poker sites allowing new players to receive bonus funds without requiring an initial deposit. These bonuses provide a risk-free way to try out the site’s games and can vary in amount and conditions.
In poker strategy, a ‘Node’ refers to a specific decision point in a player’s game tree, representing a unique situation where a player must make a strategic choice, considering possible actions and outcomes.
Nothing card: A card that does not improve a player’s hand or strategy in poker.
A nut flush draw is when a player has four cards to a flush, and the flush would be the best possible flush if completed.
Nut Flush: The highest possible flush in a poker hand, consisting of five cards of the same suit with the highest-ranking card in that suit.
Nut Full House: The strongest full house possible given the community cards in poker. It consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, where the three cards are the highest rank available on the board.
In poker, the term ‘Nut’ refers to the best possible hand or outcome at any given moment in a hand. It is the unbeatable hand given the community cards on the board.
Nut straight: The best possible straight hand in a given poker situation, usually determined by the community cards on the table. It ensures no other player can have a higher straight in that round.
One Gap: A type of starting hand in poker where two of the cards are separated by one rank, such as 9 and 7. These hands have some potential for forming straights but are generally less valuable than connected hands.
One-End: A straight draw where the player needs a specific rank to complete the straight, such as holding 4-5-6-7 and needing a 3 or 8.
One-Outer: A situation in poker where a player has only one specific card left in the deck that can complete their winning hand.
A One-Way Straight is a poker hand formation where a player has a sequence of five consecutive cards, but it can only form a straight in one direction. This is typically relevant in games with a hi-lo split or similar rules where straights can be considered both high and low.
A pair is a poker hand containing two cards of the same rank, with the other three cards being of different ranks.
In poker, a ‘Pat’ hand is a hand that is already complete and strong enough that the player does not need to draw any additional cards to improve it. This term is often used in draw poker games.
Pay jump refers to a significant increase in the prize money awarded at the next payout level in a poker tournament, often causing players to adjust their strategies to survive longer and reach that level.
Pay Station: A player who frequently calls bets regardless of their hand’s strength, often losing money as a result.
Payout Structure: The distribution of prize money in a poker tournament, detailing how the prize pool is allocated among players based on their finishing positions.
Penny Ante: A low-stakes poker game where the bets and raises are typically minimal, often using small-denomination coins or chips. It is usually played for fun rather than profit and is common in casual home games.
A Picasso flop refers to a flop in poker where the cards are all of different suits and values, with no immediate potential for a straight or flush. It is a flop that doesn’t help players connect with their hole cards or build a strong hand.
Picture Card: A playing card that is either a Jack, Queen, or King. These cards are often referred to as ‘face cards’ due to the depiction of a person’s face in the card’s design.
A ‘Played Card’ in poker refers to a card that has been used in the game, meaning it has been dealt to a player or placed on the board, and is no longer in the deck. It is an important concept as it affects the remaining possible outcomes in the game.
A Playover Box is a transparent box with a slot, placed on top of poker chips and cards. It allows a new dealer to take over a game without disturbing the current state.
Pocket Pair: A starting hand in poker where both hole cards are of the same rank, such as two aces or two kings.
Poker face: An expressionless face that gives no clues about the player’s hand or emotions.
Poker network: A system of interconnected online poker sites that share the same player pool and software platform, allowing players from different sites to compete against each other in cash games and tournaments.
A poker room is a designated area where poker games are played, either within a casino or as a standalone venue. It features tables, chairs, chips, and cards, and is often staffed with dealers and floor personnel. Poker rooms can host cash games or tournaments and may offer amenities like food and drinks to enhance the player’s experience.
Poker Shark: A highly skilled and experienced poker player known for their ability to consistently win money at poker games. They often disguise their skill level to exploit less experienced players.
A ‘Poker Stack’ refers to the total amount of chips a player has in front of them during a poker game. The size of a player’s stack can influence their strategy, betting decisions, and overall approach to the game. It serves as a visual representation of a players financial position at the table, with stacks typically organized in neat piles for easy assessment by other players.
A poker table is a specially designed table used for playing poker, featuring a felt-covered surface, betting areas, and often a dealer position. It is typically oval or round, accommodating multiple players, and may include features like cup holders and chip trays.
A poker tournament is a competition where players start with a set amount of chips and play until one player has all the chips. Players are eliminated as they lose their chips, and prizes are awarded based on the order of elimination. Tournaments can vary in structure, including formats like Freezeouts, Rebuys, and Sit & Go’s.
Pokerbot: A software program designed to play poker automatically, without human intervention. Pokerbots use algorithms to make decisions based on game data, often aimed at maximizing winnings or testing strategies.
A polarized range in poker refers to a player’s betting range that is made up of very strong hands and bluffs, but lacks medium-strength hands. This strategy is often used to create difficult decisions for opponents, as they must decide whether the player holds a top-tier hand or is bluffing.
A position bet is a strategic bet made based on the player’s seat at the table, taking advantage of acting after opponents to gather more information before making a decision.
In poker, a ‘post’ refers to the action of putting in a mandatory bet into the pot, typically required for players who are joining a game after it has started. This ensures fairness by contributing to the pot, similar to blinds or antes, before being dealt into the hand.
Post Oak Bluff: A small, deceptive bet made with a weak hand, intended to mislead opponents into folding stronger hands.
Post-Mortem: A thorough analysis of a poker hand or session after it has been completed, often to identify mistakes or areas for improvement.
In poker, the pot refers to the total amount of money or chips that players wager during a single hand or game round. It accumulates as bets are placed and is awarded to the player with the best hand at the end of the round, or to the last player remaining if all others fold.
A pot sweetener is a small bet made to encourage other players to stay in the hand, increasing the size of the pot.
PRF: Pre-Flop Raise
Definition: An action in poker where a player raises the pot before the flop is dealt, typically to increase the pot size or to gain information about other players’ hands.
Preflop Caller: A player who calls a bet before any community cards are dealt in a game of poker, typically during the initial betting round.
A preflop raise is a bet made by a player before the flop in Texas Hold’em or Omaha. It is used to gain control of the pot, reduce the number of opponents, or signal a strong hand. Preflop raises can vary in size, typically ranging from a minimum raise to an all-in bet.
The player who makes the initial raise during the preflop betting round in poker.
A private game is a poker game that is not open to the public and is typically organized by an individual or group for personal enjoyment. Entry is usually by invitation only, and the game is often held in a private residence or a reserved space.
The prize pool is the total amount of money collected from player buy-ins during a poker tournament. It is distributed among the top finishers according to the tournament’s payout structure.
In poker, a ‘Pro’ or ‘Professional’ refers to a player who plays poker as their primary source of income, displaying a high level of skill, experience, and understanding of the game.
Probe: A bet made by a player who did not have the lead in the previous betting round. It is often used to test opponents’ hands after a passive action, such as checking, was taken in earlier rounds.
Progressive bounty: A poker tournament format where each player’s bounty increases as they eliminate opponents. When a player knocks out another, they earn a portion of the eliminated player’s bounty, with the remainder added to their own bounty, increasing their value.
Prop Bet: A side bet made between players, often on an unrelated outcome or event, separate from the main game stakes. These bets are typically based on personal challenges or unusual scenarios.
A Proposition Player, often referred to as a “prop player,” is a person hired by a casino to join poker games to start or maintain them. Prop players use their own money to play and receive compensation from the casino. Their primary purpose is to ensure that games continue by filling seats and encouraging other players to join.
A protected pot in poker refers to a situation where a player has bet or raised, and at least one other player has called, ensuring the pot cannot be won by default if other players fold. This pot is ‘protected’ because there is more than one player contesting it, preventing a single player from winning it uncontested.
A protection bet is a wager made by a player to protect their hand by discouraging opponents from drawing to potentially better hands. Typically, it’s used when a player has a strong but vulnerable hand and wants to prevent opponents from seeing additional cards that could improve their weaker hands.
A pure bluff is a bet or raise made in poker with a weak or non-existent hand, with the sole intention of forcing opponents to fold stronger hands.
Qualifier: A condition that must be met in certain poker games, such as a minimum hand rank, for a player to win part or all of the pot. Common in high-low split games where a hand must qualify as low (e.g., 8-high or lower) to win the low portion of the pot.
Queen-Jack is a starting hand in poker consisting of a queen and a jack. It is considered a strong drawing hand, especially in Texas Hold’em, due to its potential to form straights and high pairs.
A quint in poker is a hand ranking term used in certain variations of the game, referring to five consecutive cards of the same suit, similar to a straight flush. It is a rare and high-ranking hand.
Rabbit Hunt: In poker, a ‘Rabbit Hunt’ refers to revealing the remaining community cards that would have been dealt if the hand had continued to the river, typically done out of curiosity after a hand is folded.
In poker, a ‘race’ refers to a situation where two hands are considered to have approximately equal chances of winning against each other. This often occurs in all-in situations, especially pre-flop, where one player holds two high cards while the other has a pocket pair.
In poker, a ‘rag’ refers to a card with a low value, typically not useful in forming strong hands. Rags are often considered insignificant and can be discarded unless they complete a specific strategy or hand.
Rail: The area around a poker table designated for spectators, often separated by a rail or barrier. Observers who watch and support players are known as being “on the rail.”
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