Poker Glossary

A player's turn to act, or the amount of betting and raising in a hand. A game with lots of betting is called an 'action game.'

"The action is on you — it's your turn to bet, call, or fold."

Using unethical but technically legal tactics to gain an advantage. Examples include acting out of turn, ambiguous chip movements, and misleading s...

When a strong hand loses to a weaker hand that catches a lucky card. Typically occurs when a player with a significant statistical advantage loses.

"I had pocket aces and lost to pocket twos when they hit a set on the river — ..."

The total amount of money a player has set aside specifically for playing poker. Proper bankroll management is crucial for long-term success.

"My bankroll is $5,000 and I play $1/$2, so I have 25 buy-ins."

The practice of playing at stakes appropriate for your bankroll to minimize the risk of going broke. Generally, cash game players need 20-40 buy-in...

The community cards dealt face-up in the center of the table in Hold'em and Omaha games. Consists of the flop (3 cards), turn (1 card), and river (...

The amount of money required to enter a tournament or sit down at a cash game table. In cash games, there's usually a minimum and maximum buy-in.

"The tournament has a $109 buy-in with a $100K guaranteed prize pool."

Cards dealt face-up in the center of the table that all players share. In Hold'em, there are 5 community cards (flop, turn, river).

A hand where two players both have very strong hands and significant action is unavoidable. Unlike a bad beat, a cooler involves no mistake by eith...

"Set over set is the classic cooler — both players flopped trips but one is hi..."

Money in the pot contributed by players who have already folded, or chips from antes and blinds. Also describes weak players in a tournament field.

To double your chip stack by winning an all-in confrontation against a player with an equal or larger stack.

A hand that is not yet complete but has the potential to improve to a strong hand. Common draws include flush draws (4 cards to a flush) and straig...

A player's advantage over their opponents, whether through skill, position, or information. A winning player has an 'edge' over the table.

The percentage share of the pot that a hand is expected to win based on its current strength and drawing potential. Calculated using all possible f...

"AA has about 80% equity against KK preflop — it wins 4 out of 5 times."

The average amount a player expects to win or lose on a particular play over the long run. Positive EV (+EV) plays are profitable; negative EV (-EV...

"Calling a $10 bet with a 40% chance to win a $50 pot is +EV."

The first three community cards dealt face-up simultaneously. The flop is a critical point in Hold'em as it reveals 60% of the board.

A strategy that is mathematically unexploitable. GTO play doesn't maximize profit against weak opponents but provides a baseline against strong ones.

A poker game or hand played between exactly two players. Heads-up play occurs in the final stage of tournaments or in dedicated heads-up cash games.

Calling a bet with a marginal hand based on a read that the opponent is bluffing. Requires strong hand-reading skills and courage.

"I made a hero call with ace-high because his betting pattern screamed bluff."

The private cards dealt face-down to each player. In Hold'em, each player receives 2 hole cards; in Omaha, each player receives 4.

A playing style characterized by playing many hands and betting/raising frequently. LAG players put constant pressure on opponents.

A variant of Hold'em where bet sizes are fixed (e.g., $2/$4 means $2 bets preflop/flop, $4 bets on turn/river).

To fold or discard your hand without showing it. Also refers to the pile of discarded cards.

The most popular poker variant where players can bet any amount up to their entire stack at any time. Often abbreviated as NLH or NLHE.

The best possible hand given the current board. Having 'the nuts' means no other hand can beat yours.

"With A♠K♠ on a board of Q♠J♠T♠, you have the nut flush and nut straight."

The number of remaining cards that will improve your hand to a likely winner. Used to calculate drawing odds.

"With a flush draw, you have 9 outs (9 remaining cards of your suit)."

A poker variant where each player receives 4 hole cards and must use exactly 2 of them with 3 board cards. Betting is limited to the current pot size.

A flop with three different suits, meaning no flush draw is possible with just one more card.

The full set of possible hands a player could hold in a given situation. Thinking in ranges rather than specific hands is a key skill in modern poker.

"His 3-bet range from the button is probably pocket pairs 88+, AJs+, and KQs."

The mathematical probability of losing your entire bankroll. Lower risk of ruin requires a larger bankroll relative to your stakes.

The fifth and final community card in Hold'em and Omaha. Also called 'fifth street.'

An agreement between players to deal the remaining community cards twice when all-in, splitting the pot based on both boards. Reduces variance.

The point at the end of a hand where remaining players reveal their cards to determine the winner. Occurs after all betting rounds are complete.

A playing style characterized by playing few hands but betting/raising aggressively with them. Considered the optimal default strategy.

The composition of the community cards. A 'dry' board has few drawing possibilities; a 'wet' board has many straight and flush draws.

An emotional state where a player makes poor decisions due to frustration, anger, or other emotions. Often triggered by bad beats or a losing streak.

"After losing 3 buy-ins to bad beats, I went on tilt and lost 2 more."

The fourth community card, dealt after the flop. Also called 'fourth street.'

The natural statistical fluctuations in poker results. Even winning players experience downswings due to variance. Higher-variance games (PLO, MTTs...