POKER SLANG GLOSSARY

Learn the key terms used in poker and what they really mean.

Add-on

In some tournaments, players are allowed to purchase additional chips at a certain point. This is known as an add-on. Unlike a rebuy, add-ons are usually available to all players and typically mark the end of the rebuy period.

All-in

When a player bets all their remaining chips, they are said to be all-in. An all-in player can only win the portion of the pot they matched. If other players bet more, side pots are created.

Ante

A small forced bet that all players must post before a hand begins. Antes contribute to the initial pot.

Bankroll

The total amount of money a player has set aside and is willing to risk on poker games.

Bad Beat

A situation where a very strong hand loses to an even stronger one, often against the odds.

Bet

To place a wager in the pot. Usually refers to the first wager in a betting round. Later increases are called raises or re-raises.

Big Bet Poker

A term used for No Limit and Pot Limit games, where players can wager large amounts relative to the pot. At Bspin, high-stakes games like €100/€200 are often referred to as Big Bet Poker.

Button (Dealer Button)

A marker that indicates the dealer position at the table. The button rotates clockwise after each hand.

Buy-in

The amount of money a player pays to enter a game. In cash games, this becomes your chip stack. In tournaments, it grants you a set amount of chips.

Big Blind

A mandatory bet posted by the player two seats clockwise from the dealer before the cards are dealt. New players entering a live table must post the big blind to join.

Call

To match the current bet. If the bet is €10 and there's been a raise of €10, calling costs €20. It is the lowest cost way to stay in the hand.

Check

If no one has bet before you, you may check to pass the action without betting, essentially betting $0.

Check-Raise

To check first, then raise after another player bets. Often done with a strong hand to increase the pot size.

Community Cards

Face-up cards in the center of the table that all players can use to complete their hands. Games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha use five community cards.

Deal

The act of distributing cards to players. The person who deals is called the dealer. Being “dealt in” means you received cards. “Dealt out” means you didn’t.

Deck

A standard set of 52 playing cards used in most poker games.

Drawing Hand

An incomplete but potentially strong hand. Typically refers to hands that are one card away from a straight (straight draw) or flush (flush draw).

Flop

The first three community cards dealt face-up in games like Hold’em and Omaha. These form the base for post-flop betting.

Flush

A poker hand made up of five cards of the same suit.

Fold

To discard your hand and forfeit the pot.

Freeroll

A tournament that has no entry fee but still offers real prizes.

Full House

A hand that contains three cards of one rank and a pair. For example, K-K-K-7-7. The strength is determined by the rank of the three matching cards.

Heads-up

A game between just two players.

Kicker

An extra card used to break ties between hands of the same rank. In Hold'em, it's the side card accompanying a pair or trips.

Late Registration

Period during which players can join a tournament after it has already started. They receive a full starting stack upon entry.

Main Pot

When a player is all-in, they are only eligible for the main pot. Additional bets from other players go into a separate side pot.

Muck

The pile of folded or discarded cards. Mucking a hand means folding it face down.

Nuts

The best possible hand at a given moment in a hand.

Overcard

A hole card that is higher in rank than any of the community cards on the board.

Pair

Two cards of the same rank, such as 9-9.

Position

A player’s seat in relation to the dealer, which affects betting strategy.

Post

To place a blind bet. If you missed a blind, the dealer may ask you to post the amount you skipped in order to rejoin the game.

Pot

The total amount of chips or money in the center of the table that the winning player will claim.

Pot Limit

A betting structure where players may bet or raise up to the current size of the pot.

Raise

To increase the amount of the current bet after someone has already bet.

Rake

A small percentage taken from the pot by the poker room as a fee for hosting the game.

Rank

The value of a card. For example, the rank of a King is higher than a Queen. Pairs are made of two cards with the same rank.

Rebuy

Purchasing more chips after you’ve joined the game. In some tournaments, players may rebuy if they fall below a certain chip count, typically within a limited time frame.

Re-entry

In some tournaments, players can buy back in after being eliminated, receiving a new stack and seat. Unlike a rebuy, re-entry requires busting out first.

River

The fifth and final community card dealt in flop games like Texas Hold’em. Sometimes also called the Fifth Street.

Royal Flush

The highest possible hand in poker. It consists of A-K-Q-J-10, all of the same suit.

Showdown

The phase where all remaining players reveal their hands to determine the winner after the final round of betting.

Side Pot

A separate pot created when one or more players go all-in and other players continue betting.

Small Blind

A mandatory bet made by the player immediately to the left of the dealer button before cards are dealt.

Stack

The total amount of chips a player has at the table. Also refers to a player’s chip pile.

Steal the Pot

To win a pot by bluffing when other players fold.

Straight

A hand with five cards in numerical sequence, such as 5-6-7-8-9.

Straight Flush

A straight where all five cards are of the same suit.

Suit

One of the four categories in a deck: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades.

Table Stakes

The chips you have on the table are the maximum you can win or lose during a hand. You cannot bet money not already in play.

Three of a Kind

Three cards of the same rank, such as 8-8-8.

Turn

The fourth community card dealt in Hold'em or Omaha. It follows the flop and precedes the river.