It seems there's a poker slang term for everything that could possibly happen in a game, but don't worry – our definitive guide to poker terminology is here to help you make sense of it all!
You can use this page as a reference to look up any poker phrases you come across that you're unfamiliar with, or why not learn some new poker lingo to break out at your next home game?
A player's turn to act during a betting round; also describes betting activity in a hand.
In tournaments, an optional extra buy-in of chips, usually at the end of the rebuy period.
When a player bets all their remaining chips.
A forced bet that all players must post before the deal, often in tournaments or stud.
Stands for "Any Two Cards" – used to describe very loose players.
A draw that requires both turn and river cards to complete (e.g., backdoor flush draw).
When a strong favorite hand loses against improbable odds.
The money a player has dedicated to playing poker.
To place chips in the pot, forcing others to match in order to continue.
The larger of the two forced bets, posted by the player left of the small blind.
Mandatory bets (small blind, big blind) to stimulate action in flop games.
Betting or raising with a weak hand to force opponents to fold stronger hands.
The community cards dealt face-up in the center of the table.
The position just before the money in a tournament (one place short of being paid).
The dealer position, which rotates clockwise each hand and acts last post-flop.
The amount of money or chips required to enter a cash game or tournament.
To match the current bet made by another player.
To decline to bet when no bet has yet been made in the current round.
Cards dealt face-up on the table that all players can use to form their hand.
A bet made by the pre-flop aggressor on the flop, regardless of whether they improved.
Calling a bet while suspecting you're beaten, but unable to fold.
The player (or staff) who distributes the cards; position rotates each hand.
A hand that needs specific future cards to improve (flush draw, straight draw, etc.).
The percentage chance of winning the pot based on your current hand and situation.
To discard your cards and forfeit any claim to the pot.
A tournament with no buy-in cost, usually with real or play money prizes.
A five-card hand with three cards of one rank and two of another (e.g., 888KK).
A player who plays many hands/sessions for small profit, relying on volume.
An inside straight draw needing one specific card to complete.
The cards a player holds; also refers to a single round of play.
A situation or match between only two players.
Consideration of potential future winnings when deciding whether to call.
A side card used to break ties between hands of equal rank.
To just call the big blind pre-flop instead of raising.
A playing style involving entering many pots with a wide range of hands.
Discarding a hand without showing it; the pile of folded cards.
The best possible hand given the board.
Cards remaining in the deck that will improve your hand to likely winner.
A pocket pair higher than any community cards on the board.
The private cards dealt face-down to each player.
The total amount of chips wagered during a hand.
The ratio between the current pot size and the cost of a contemplated call.
Four of a kind.
A small percentage of each pot taken by the house (site/casino).
The spectrum of possible hands a player might hold in a situation.
The fifth and final community card dealt.
A qualifying tournament awarding entry to a larger event.
Three of a kind made with a pocket pair plus one on the board.
To go all-in by pushing your entire stack into the pot.
Playing a strong hand passively to lure opponents into betting.
The smaller of the two forced bets, posted left of the dealer button.
When two or more players tie with the same hand, and the pot is divided.
The amount of chips a player has in play.
An optional blind bet posted before cards are dealt, usually double the big blind.
Five cards of sequential rank, not all of the same suit.
Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
A physical or behavioral clue that may give away information about a hand.
A re-raise of the initial raise in a betting round.
Playing emotionally or recklessly after losing a big pot or suffering a bad beat.
A pair made with the highest community card on the board and one hole card.
The fourth community card dealt.
The first position to act pre-flop, immediately left of the big blind.
A bet designed to get called by worse hands to maximize profit.
World Series of Poker, the largest and most prestigious live poker series.