railbird: A spectator who watches a poker game, often standing near the rail or behind the players, typically with keen interest in the action and outcomes.
Railroad bible: A term used in poker to describe a deck of marked cards. Such decks are often used for cheating, allowing the holder to identify the cards of other players.
Rainbow: A poker term describing a flop, turn, or river that contains three or more cards of different suits, indicating no possibility for a flush draw.
Raise Blind: Increasing the bet amount without looking at one’s own cards, typically to create an aggressive table image or to bluff opponents.
Raise: In poker, a raise is an action where a player increases the previous bet amount, requiring subsequent players to call the new amount, re-raise, or fold.
A ‘Raised Pot’ in poker refers to a pot where one or more players have increased the original bet amount during a betting round. This action typically indicates a strong hand or a bluff.
Random number generator (RNG): A tool used in online poker to ensure fair play by creating unpredictable card sequences. It simulates the randomness found in live games, preventing patterns or biases, and maintains integrity in the game.
Range bet: A strategy in poker where a player places a bet representing a wide range of potential hands, aiming to keep their range of possible holdings concealed from opponents.
Range: The collection of possible hands a player might have in a given situation. It accounts for the different hands a player could logically play based on their actions and the context of the game.
Rap: A quick tap on the table, usually with a knuckle, indicating a check in poker.
Re-buy: In a poker tournament, a re-buy allows a player to purchase additional chips after losing their initial stack, typically within a specified period. This option gives players another chance to compete without being eliminated early.
Re-draw: A situation in poker where a player has a drawing hand that could improve to an even stronger hand if certain cards are dealt on later streets.
Re-raise: The act of increasing the bet after an initial raise has been made by another player. This move is often used as a strategy to assert dominance or to test the strength of the opponent’s hand.
Recreational player: A non-professional poker player who plays for enjoyment rather than profit. Known for a more casual approach to the game, they may have less experience and skill compared to professional players.
Redbird: A slang term for a $5 casino chip, typically red in color, used in poker and other casino games.
Redeal: A new deal of the cards in poker, often occurring if the initial deal was incorrect or invalid.
A “Reg” is short for “regular”; it refers to a player who frequently plays in a particular poker game or at a specific poker room. These players are often skilled, familiar with the game dynamics, and other regular players.
A regular player, often referred to as a ‘reg,’ is a poker player who frequently participates in games, typically at the same venue or online platform. These players are generally experienced, familiar with the dynamics of the game, and are often recognized by other players in the poker community.
Regulated market: A controlled and supervised environment where poker games are legally permitted, ensuring fair play, player protection, and adherence to local laws and standards.
Replayer: A tool or software feature that allows players to review previous hands or sessions, displaying the sequence of actions and decisions made during the game.
Reraise: A betting action in poker where a player raises after an opponent has already raised, typically indicating a strong hand or a bluff strategy.
A reverse tell is a deliberate action or behavior by a poker player designed to mislead or deceive opponents, making them think the player is weak when they are strong, or vice versa. This strategic maneuver is used to encourage specific reactions from other players, such as inducing a bluff or a fold.
Riffle: A method of shuffling cards by splitting the deck into two stacks and interleaving them.
Ring game: A poker game format where players play with real money (also known as a cash game), as opposed to tournament play. Players can join or leave the game at any time, and the chips have a direct cash value.
River C-bet: A continuation bet made on the river, the final betting round in a poker hand, where a player who has shown aggression on previous streets continues to bet, often to extract value or to bluff.
River Rat: A player who frequently wins by getting lucky on the river card, often with a weak hand.
A poker player whose bankroll has significantly increased, often due to winning large sums or having sustained success in high-stakes games.
Rock Garden: A poker table with many tight, conservative players who rarely bet unless they have a strong hand.
Rock: A poker player known for playing very few hands and only participating with strong cards, typically folding in most situations.
In poker, a ‘Round’ refers to a complete cycle in the game where players make decisions such as betting, checking, folding, or raising. Each round begins with the first player to act and continues until all players have had a chance to make their move. Common rounds in poker include the pre-flop, flop, turn, and river rounds.
In poker, a round of betting is a phase in the game where players have the opportunity to bet, check, raise, or fold based on their hand’s strength or their strategy. Each round begins after cards are dealt or revealed, and concludes when all active players have placed equal bets or folded. The number of rounds depends on the poker variant being played.
rounder: A rounder is a poker player who travels around to different locations to play poker, often seeking out games with less skilled opponents to maximize their potential winnings. Rounders typically rely on their poker skills as a primary source of income.
A Royal Flush is the highest-ranking hand in poker. It consists of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten, all of the same suit.
In poker, ‘Run’ refers to the sequence of community cards dealt, particularly in Texas Hold’em or Omaha, as in ‘run it twice’ where the remaining cards are dealt twice to reduce variance.
In poker, the ‘Run-out’ refers to the final community cards dealt in a hand, completing the board. It is often used to describe the sequence of cards that can affect the hand’s outcome, especially in games like Texas Hold’em or Omaha, where the turn and river cards are crucial to determining the winner.
In poker, a “rundown” refers to a sequence of consecutive cards, typically used in Omaha or Texas Hold’em. For example, a hand like 5-6-7-8 is a rundown, which can potentially make a straight if the right cards come on the board.
Runner-Runner Draw: A situation in poker where a player needs two consecutive specific cards on the turn and river to complete a drawing hand.
Running Pair: When the turn and river cards in a poker hand are of the same rank, creating a pair on the board.
Satellite: A smaller tournament where the prize is entry into a larger, higher buy-in tournament.
A scare card is a community card in poker that has the potential to significantly alter the strength of a player’s hand, often causing concern or fear, especially if it completes a potential draw or creates a strong hand for opponents.
Scoop: In poker, particularly in split-pot games, it refers to winning both halves of the pot by having the best high and low hands.
Scramble: In poker, ‘scramble’ refers to the process of mixing the cards thoroughly before dealing to ensure randomness and fairness in the game. This is typically done by shuffling the deck multiple times, involving techniques like riffle and overhand shuffling.
A seating list is a waitlist used in poker rooms where players sign up to join a game. When a seat becomes available at a table, players are called from the seating list in the order they registered.
A “second barrel” refers to the act of making a second consecutive bet on the turn after having already bet on the flop in a poker hand.
A semi-bluff is a bet or raise made with a drawing hand that is not likely to be the best hand at the moment but has the potential to improve to the best hand on a future street.
Session: A period of continuous play in a poker game, starting when a player sits down and ending when they leave the table.
Set: In poker, a set refers to three of a kind where two of the cards are of the same rank and the third card is from the community cards. This typically occurs in games like Hold’em or Omaha when a player has a pocket pair and hits a matching card on the board.
In poker, a ‘setup’ refers to a situation where the players’ hands are such that one player is almost guaranteed to win a large amount from another due to the strength of their hands. It often involves one player having a very strong hand that is only beaten by an even stronger hand held by their opponent.
A shark is an experienced and skilled poker player who consistently wins money by exploiting weaker opponents. Sharks are adept at reading other players, calculating odds, and making strategic decisions to maximize their profits at the table.
Shill: In poker, a shill is a person who is paid to play in a game to keep it going by ensuring there are enough players. They do not use their own money and their winnings typically belong to the house or their employer.
A shoe is a device used in casinos to hold multiple decks of cards, allowing for efficient dealing and minimizing card manipulation by dealers.
A Shootout is a type of poker tournament where players must win at their table to advance to the next round. Each table plays independently until only one player remains, who then progresses to the next stage. This format continues until a final table determines the overall winner.
Short Buy: A buy-in option for a poker game where a player enters with less than the standard minimum buy-in amount, subject to the rules of the specific game.
Short Call: A poker term referring to a call made by a player with a small stack relative to the size of the current bet or pot, often when the player is close to being all-in.
In poker, a “Short Stack” refers to a player with a smaller number of chips compared to others at the table. This situation often requires a different strategy, focusing on aggressive play to maximize doubling up or stealing blinds before being forced all-in.
In poker, a ‘Shot Clock’ is a timer that limits the amount of time a player has to make a decision during their turn. This is used to maintain the pace of the game and prevent unnecessary delays.
Showdown: The final stage of a poker hand where remaining players reveal their cards to determine the winner based on the best hand.
A device used in poker games to automatically shuffle decks of cards, ensuring randomness and fairness in dealing. Shufflers are commonly used in casinos to speed up the game and prevent human error or cheating.
Side Bet: An additional, optional wager made between participants, separate from the main game or event, often based on specific occurrences or outcomes.
Side Card: A card that does not directly contribute to a poker hand’s rank but may be used to break ties between similar ranked hands.
A Side Game in poker refers to a secondary game that occurs alongside the main event, often played at the same venue. These games are usually cash games and provide an opportunity for players to participate when they are not involved in the main tournament. Side Games offer a variety of poker formats and stakes, catering to different player preferences and skill levels.
In poker, a side pot is created when one or more players are all-in, and the remaining active players continue to bet. The main pot contains the bets of all players, while the side pot holds the additional bets placed by the remaining active players. Only those who have contributed to the side pot can win it, whereas the all-in player can only win the main pot.
Sign on your back: A tell or obvious sign that gives away information about a player’s hand or strategy, often noticed by opponents during a poker game.
A “Single Raised Pot” (SRP) refers to a poker pot where only one player has raised pre-flop, and no other players have re-raised. This is the opposite of a “3-bet” or “4-bet” pot, where multiple raises occur before the flop. In an SRP, the pre-flop raiser often has the initiative, influencing post-flop play dynamics.
Sit & Go: A type of poker tournament that begins as soon as a predetermined number of players have registered. Typically features a single table, but can also include multiple tables, and prizes are awarded to top finishers.
In poker, “skin” refers to a branded version of a parent online poker network’s software platform. These skins are individual websites or platforms that operate under the umbrella of a larger network, sharing player pools and software infrastructure but offering distinct branding, promotions, and customer service.
A sleeper straddle is a voluntary blind bet made by a player who is not in the immediate position to the left of the big blind. This bet is typically double the big blind and is placed before the cards are dealt, effectively buying the bettor the last action before the flop.
In poker, a slow roll is when a player with a winning hand delays revealing their cards unnecessarily, often to create suspense or discomfort for other players. It’s considered poor etiquette.
In poker, a ‘Small Bet’ refers to the minimum bet amount used in the early rounds of betting in fixed-limit games. It is typically half the size of the ‘Big Bet’, which is used in later rounds.
A smooth call refers to a situation in poker where a player only calls a bet instead of raising, despite having a strong hand. This strategy is often used to deceive opponents into underestimating the strength of the player’s hand, potentially leading them to bet more in subsequent rounds.
Solver: Software tools used in poker to analyze hands and strategies, providing optimal play recommendations based on game theory.
Spike: In poker, a spike refers to a situation where a player unexpectedly gets a card that significantly improves their hand, usually on the turn or river, thereby altering the outcome of the game.
Split Pot: When two or more players have hands of equal value at showdown, the pot is divided equally among them.
In poker, a ‘Spot’ refers to a specific situation or context in a hand where a player must make a strategic decision. It involves assessing variables such as position, stack size, opponent tendencies, and the current stage of the game to make the most optimal play.
A squared deck in poker refers to when the deck of cards is perfectly aligned with no cards protruding or out of place. This ensures fairness and consistency in dealing.
Squeeze: A poker move where a player raises after there has been a raise and one or more calls, typically used to apply pressure and potentially win the pot without seeing a flop.
Stab: A small bet made in poker, often as a bluff, to try and take down the pot when it seems no one else is interested in it.
Stack: The total amount of chips a player has in front of them during a poker game. It represents a player’s financial power within the current hand or tournament.
Stacked deck: A method of cheating in card games where the deck is arranged in a predetermined order to ensure a specific outcome, favoring one player.
A Stand Off in poker refers to a situation where two or more players have identical hands at the showdown, resulting in a tie. The pot is usually split equally among the winning players.
Stand-up game: A variation in poker where all players must stand until they win a hand, introducing an additional layer of challenge and excitement to the game.
In poker, a starting hand refers to the initial set of cards dealt to a player at the beginning of a hand. In Texas Hold’em and Omaha, this consists of two hole cards, while in Seven Card Stud, players receive three cards (two face down, one face up). The strength and potential of a starting hand largely determine a player’s strategy and decisions in the initial betting rounds.
Starting Hands Chart: A guide used by poker players to determine the strength of their initial two cards based on position and other factors. It helps decide which hands to play and which to fold before the flop.
Starting stack: Refers to the initial amount of chips each player receives at the beginning of a poker tournament or game. This amount can vary based on the tournament rules or the game’s format.
A static board is a poker term that describes a community card setup where the texture remains consistent and unlikely to change significantly in subsequent rounds. This typically means there are few draws available, and the hand rankings are less likely to shift dramatically as more cards are dealt.
In poker, a ‘steal’ refers to an attempt to win the blinds by making a small raise with a weak hand, often from a late position, when other players have shown weakness by folding.
Steal Raise: A strategic poker move involving a raise with the intention of forcing opponents to fold, typically executed in late position to win the blinds without a strong hand.
Steel Wheel: In poker, a Steel Wheel refers to a five-high straight flush, consisting of the cards ace, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the same suit.
A straddle is a voluntary blind bet made by a player before the cards are dealt, typically placed by the player immediately to the left of the big blind. It is generally twice the size of the big blind and serves to increase the stakes of the game by acting as a third blind, thus creating more action and excitement at the table.
Straight Draw: A hand in poker where a player requires one more card to complete a sequence of five consecutive ranks.
A Straight Flush is a poker hand containing five consecutive cards of the same suit, such as 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of hearts. It is one of the strongest hands in poker, only beaten by a Royal Flush.
Straight: A hand in poker consisting of five cards in sequential order, regardless of suit.
Strategic Bluff: A deliberate and calculated deception used in poker to convince opponents that you have a stronger hand than you actually do, prompting them to fold their better hands.
Stream game: A poker game that is broadcasted live over the internet, allowing viewers to watch in real-time and often includes commentary or interaction with the audience.
Streamer: A person who broadcasts their poker game live over the internet, often on platforms like Twitch, engaging with an audience by providing commentary, sharing strategies, and interacting with viewers in real-time.
In poker, a ‘Street’ refers to each round of betting or each stage of the hand, typically after the flop, turn, and river. Streets are used to describe the sequence of cards dealt and the corresponding rounds of betting in games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha.
A string bet in poker is an illegal action where a player makes multiple motions to put their chips into the pot, without declaring their bet amount first. This can be misleading and is not allowed in formal poker games.
Suck out: In poker, a suck out occurs when a player with a weaker hand catches a lucky card on a later street to beat an opponent who had a stronger hand earlier in the round.
A suckbet is a strategic move in poker where a player makes a small, seemingly weak bet to lure opponents into raising, with the intention of trapping them with a strong hand.
Suckout: In poker, a suckout occurs when a player who was behind in a hand wins on a later street, typically the turn or river, by hitting a fortunate card that improves their hand to beat an opponent’s previously stronger hand.
Most Common
