Poker has a language somewhat to itself. Party Poker provides with a glossary to familiarize yourself with poker terms.

Many of the poker terms in this glossary are linked to one another. If you click a link within a definition, click your browser's back button to return to the definition you just left.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Aces Full

A full house with three aces and any pair.

Ace-High

A five card hand that contains one Ace, with no straight or flush or a

hand with no pair in it.

Aces Up

A hand that contains two pairs, one of which is Aces.

Action

Checking/Betting/Raising. A game in which players are playing a lot of

pots is considered an action game.

Active Player

Any player who is still in the hand.

Add-on

A purchase of more chips (optional) at the end of the re-buy period in

a tournament.

All-In

When a player bets all his/her chips.: In online poker, you may be

deemed All-in when you are disconnected (even if you have chips

remaining).

American Airlines

Two Aces.

Ante

Money placed in the pot before the hand is begun.

B

Bad Beat

When a hand is beaten by a lucky draw.

Belly Buster

A draw and/or catch to an Inside Straight.

Bet

To place chips into the pot.

Bet the Pot

When a player bets the amount of the pot.

Bicycle

A straight that is A-2-3-4-5.

Big Blind

A designated amount that is placed by the player sitting in the second

position, clockwise from the dealer, before any cards are dealt.

(Players joining a game in progress must post a Big Blind, but may do

so from any position.)

Big Slick

A hand that contains an A-K.

Blind

The bet(s) that must be made by the two players sitting directly to the

dealer's left which will start the action on the first round of betting.

The blinds are posted before any cards are dealt. (A Blind bet is one

that is made in the dark without looking at your cards.)

Blind Raise

When a player raises without looking at his hand.

Bluff

To make other players believe that one has a better hand than he/she

might otherwise have by betting or raising when they do not have the

best hand.

Boardcards

The cards that are dealt face-up in a poker game for all players to see.

In flop games, five cards are dealt face-up in the center of the table.

In Seven Card Stud, four cards are dealt face-up in front of each player.

Bottom Pair

When a player uses the lowest card on the flop to make a pair with

one of his own cards.

Broadway

An Ace high straight (A-K-Q-J-10).

Bring-In

The forced bet made on the first round of betting by the player who is

dealt the lowest card showing in Seven Card Stud and Stud 8 or Better.

In Razz (Lowball) it is the highest card showing

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Bring It In

To start the betting on the first round.

Broomcorn's Uncle

A player who antes himself broke.

Bullets

A pair of Aces.

Bump

To raise.

Button

Also known as the dealer button, it is a small round disk that is moved

from player to player in a clockwise direction following each hand, to

theoretically indicate the dealer of each hand.

Buy-In

The minimum amount of money required by a player to sit down in a

particular poker game.

C

Call

When a player chooses to match the previous bet.

Call Cold

To call both a bet and raise(s).

Cap

To take the last of the maximum amount of raises allowed per round

of betting.

Cardroom

The room or space in a casino where poker is played.

Case Chips

A player's last chips.

Cash Out

To leave a game and convert your chips to cash.

Check

When it's a player's turn to act and there has been no action in front

of them and he opts not to bet, he checks.

Check-Raise

When a player first checks and then raises in a betting round.

Chop

To return the blinds to the players who posted them and move on to

the next hand if no other players call. It also means to split the pot.

Collusion

When two or more players conspire to cheat in a poker game

Community Cards

Cards that are face-up and used by all players.

Cowboys

Two Kings.

D

Dead Man's Hand

Two pair - Aces and Eights (Wild Bill Hickock was shot in the back

while playing this hand).

Door Card

This is the first exposed card, or up card, in a player's hand in Stud

games.

Down Card

Hole cards. Cards that are dealt face down.

Doyle Brunson

It's a Holdem hand consisting of a 10-2 (Brunson won the world

championship two years in a row on the final hand with these cards).

Draw Lowball

Form of poker where each player is dealt five cards with the option

of discarding one or more and replacing them with new ones and the

low hand wins.

Draw Poker

Form of poker where each player is dealt five cards down with the

option of discarding one or more and replacing them with new ones

to attempt to make a better hand.

Drop

Fold.

Ducks

A pair of Twos.

Deuces

A pair of Twos.

E

Early Position

Position on a round of betting where the player must act before most

of the other players at the table. (It's considered the two positions

located to the left of the Blinds.)

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F

Fifth Street

Also known as the river card. In flop games, this represents the fifth

community card on the table and the final round of betting. In Stud

games, this is the fifth card dealt to each player and represents the

third round of betting.

Five-card Draw

A poker game in which the player is dealt five cards down. They have

one draw to replace them and the best high hand wins the pot.

Five-card Stud

A poker game in which each player is dealt five cards, one down and

four up, with betting after 2, 3, 4, & 5 cards.

Flat Call

Calling a bet without raising.

Flop

In Hold'em and Omaha, the first three community cards that are dealt

face-up in the center of the table all at one time. The flop also

indicates the second round of betting.

Flop Games

Poker games (Hold ?em and Omaha) that are played using community

cards that are dealt face up in the center of the table.

Floorman

An employee of the cardroom who makes rulings and decisions.

Flush

Any five cards of the same suit.

Flush Draw

When a player has four cards in his hand of the same suit and is

hoping to draw a fifth to make a flush.

Fold

To throw your hand away when it's your turn to act.

Forced Bet

A required bet that starts the action on the first round of a poker

hand.

Four of a Kind

Four cards of the same number or face value (quads).

Fourth Street

In flop games, it is the fourth community card dealt (also known as

the turn) and represents the third round of betting. In Stud games, it

is the fourth card dealt to each player and represents the second

round of betting.

Full House

Any three cards of the same number or face value, plus any other two

cards of the same number or face value.

G

Gut Shot

To draw to and/or hit an inside straight.

H

Hand

A player's best five cards.

High-Card

To decide the first dealer in the flop tournaments each user is dealt a

single card and the player with the highest card (based on the card

and the suit order - of spades, hearts, diamonds & clubs) becomes the

theoretical dealer.

High-Low

Split pot games.

Hold ?em

Also known as Texas Hold ?em, where the players get two down

cards and five community cards. See our complete Hold ?em rules in

our Game Rules section.

Hole Cards

These are the Down Cards in front of the players.

House

The casino or cardroom that is hosting the poker game.

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I

Inside Straight

Four cards which require another between the top and the bottom

card to complete a straight.\ Players who catch this card make an

Inside Straight.

J

Jackpot Poker

A form of poker in which the cardroom or casino offers a jackpot to a

player who has lost with a really big hand (usually Aces full or better).

Jacks-or- Better

A form of poker in which a player needs to have at least a pair of jacks

to open the betting.

K

Kansas City Lowball

different suits) is the best hand. It's also known as Deuce to Seven.

Keep Them Honest

To call at the end of a hand to prevent someone from bluffing.

Key Card

A card that gives you a big draw or makes your hand.

Key Hand

In a session or tournament, the one hand that ends up being a turning

point for the player, either for better or worse.

Kicker

The highest unpaired side card in a players' hand.

Kick It

Raise.

Kill Pot

A method to stimulate action. It is a forced bet by someone who has

just won a pot(s).

Knock

Check.

Kojak

A hand that contains a K-J.

L

Ladies

Two Queens.

Late Position

Position on a round of betting where the player must act after most of

the other players have acted (usually considered to be the two

positions next to the button).

Lay Down Your Hand

The first player to bet into a pot.

Limit Poker

A game that has fixed minimum and maximum betting intervals along

with a prescribed number of raises.

Limper

The first player who calls a bet.

Limp In

To enter the pot by calling rather than raising. (The usual concept of

Limp In is when the first person to speak just calls the Big Blind.)

Live Blind

An instance where the player puts in a dark bet and is allowed to

raise, even if no other player raises. It's also known as an option.

Live Card(s)

In Stud Games, cards that have not yet been seen and are presumed to

still be in play.

Live Hand

A hand that could still win the pot.

Live One

A not so knowledgeable player who plays a lot of hands.

Look

When a player calls the final bet before the showdown.

Loose

Is a player who plays a lot hands.

Lowball

Is a form of draw poker in which the lowest hand wins the pot.

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M

Main Pot

The center pot. Any other bets are placed in a side pot(s) and are

contested among the remaining players. This occurs when a player(s)

goes all-in.

Make

To make the deck is to shuffle the deck.

Maniac

A very aggressive player who plays a lot of hands.

Middle Pair

In flop games, when a player makes a pair with one of his/her down

cards and the middle card on the flop.

Middle Position

Somewhere between the early and late positions on a round of betting

(the fifth, sixth and seventh seats to the left of the button).

Muck

To discard or throw away your hand. It's also a pile of cards that are

no longer in play.

Minimum Buy-In

The least amount you can start a game with.

Monster

A very big hand. In a tournament, a player who begins to accumulate

chips after having a small stack is considered to be a monster.

N

No Limit

A game where players can bet as much as they like (as long as they

have it in front of them) on any round of betting.

Nuts

The best possible hand at any point of the game. A hand that cannot

be beat.

O

Odds

The probability of making a hand vs. the probability of not making a

hand.

Offsuit

Cards of a different suit.

Omaha

A game in which each player is dealt four down cards with five

community cards. To make your hand, you must play two cards from

your hand and three from the board.

Open

To make the first bet.

Open-ended

needed at either end to make a straight.

Open Card

A card that is dealt face-up.

Open Pair

A pair that has been dealt face-up.

Option

An option is a Live Blind made in the dark before the cards are dealt. If

no one raises, the option player may raise the pot.

Out Button

A disc placed in front of a player who wishes to sit out a hand(s) but

remain in the game.

P

Paints

Face or picture cards (Jack, Queen and King).

Pair

Two cards of the same face or number value.

Pass

To fold.

Pay Off

To call on the final round of betting when you may or may not think

you have the best hand.

Picture Cards

Face cards (Jack, Queen and King).

Play Back

To raise or re-raise another player's bet.

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Playing the Board

In flop games when your best five card hand is all five of the

community cards.

Pocket

The down cards or hole cards.

Pocket Rockets

A pair of Aces in the pocket or hole.

Position

Where a player is seated in relation to the dealer, therefore

establishing that player's place in the betting order.

Post

When you post a bet, you place your chips in the pot. (You must post

the Blinds.)

Pot

The money or chips in the center of a table that players try to win.

Pot Limit

This is a game where the maximum bet can equal the pot.

Prop

A person hired by the cardroom to work as a shill.

Push

When the dealer pushes the chips to the winning player at the end of a

hand. It's also when dealers rotate to other tables.

Put Down

To fold a hand.

Q

Quads

Four of a kind.

Qualifier

In High-Low games, it is a requirement the Low hand must meet to

win the pot.

R

Rack

A tray that holds 100 poker chips in five stacks of twenty chips each.

Rail

The rim of a poker table or a barrier outside a poker area.

Railbird

Someone who hangs around a poker room who watches the games

and/or is looking to get into action.

Raise

To increase the previous bet.

Rake

Chips taken from the pot by the cardroom for compensation for

hosting the game.

Rank

The value of each card and hand.

Rap

When a player knocks on the table indicating that he/she has checked.

Razz

Seven Card Stud where the lowest five cards win the pot.

Re-buy

The amount of money a player pays to add a fixed number of chips to

his/her stack in a tournament.

Re-raise

To raise a raise.

Ring Game

A live game that is not a tournament.

River

This is the last card given in all games. In Hold'em and Omaha, it is

also known as 5th street. In Stud games, it is also known as 7th street.

Round of Betting

This is when players have the opportunity to bet, check or raise. Each

round of betting ends when the last bet or raise has been called.

Rounders

Guys who hustle for a living. This is also the name of a popular poker

movie starring Matt Damon and Ed Norton.

Royal Flush

This is an Ace high straight (A-K-Q-J-10) of the same suit. It is the

best possible hand in poker.

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S

Satellite

It is a mini-tournament to gain an entry into a larger tournament.

Scoop

To win the entire pot.

Seating List

A waiting list. A player would put his or her name on this list if there

were no seats at the table at which they wish to play.

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Second Pair

In flop games, when you pair the second highest card on the board.

See

To call.

Seven-card Stud

A well-known poker game in which players get three down cards and

four up cards. You play the best five of those seven cards. Click here

for information on Seven-card Stud.

Seventh Street

This is the final round of betting in Seven Card Stud and Stud 8 or

Better.

Shills

Shills are paid props who help start and maintain poker games.

Showdown

At the end of the final betting round, it's when all active players turn

their cards faceup to see who has won the pot.

Side Pot

A separate pot(s) which is contested by remaining active players when

one or more players are all-in.

Sixth Street

In Seven-card Stud, this is the fourth up card dealt to the player

(their 6th card). It is also the 4th round of betting.

Solid

A fairly tight player (and reasonably good).

Small Blind

The amount put in the pot by the person immediately to the left of the

dealer button prior to the cards being dealt.

Speed Limit

A pair of fives.

Split

Tie.

Stack

A pile of chips.

Stay

When a player remains in the game by calling rather than raising.

Steel Wheel

A five high straight (A-2-3-4-5) of the same suit.

Straddle

A straddle is a Blind bet which is usually double the size of the Big

Blind\ (and that player may raise when the action gets to him).

Straight

Five consecutive cards of any suit.

Straight Flush

Five consecutive cards of the same suit.

Structure

The limits put on the blinds/ante, bets, and raises in any particular

game.

Stud Games

Games in which players get down cards and up cards.

Stuck

A player who is losing in a game.

T

Texas Hold'em

This is also the name for Hold'em, the most popular form of poker.

Third Street

In Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud 8 or Better, this is the first

betting round on the first three cards.

Thirty Miles

Three tens.

Three of a Kind

Three cards of the same number or face value (trips).

Tight

A player who doesn't play many pots. A tight game is one that doesn't

have much action.

TOC

Tournament of Champions.

Top Pair

In flop games, when the player pairs one of his down cards with the

highest card on board.

Treys

A pair of threes.

Trips

Three of a kind.

Turn

In flop games, this is the fourth card dealt. It is the third round of

betting.

Two Pair

A hand consisting of two different pairs.

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U

Up Card

A card that is dealt face-up.

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V-W

Walking Sticks

A pair of sevens.

Wild Card

A card that can be played as any value.

Worst Hand

A losing hand.

WSOP

World Series of Poker.

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