Poker has developed its own unique vocabulary over decades of play. Whether you're new to casino tournaments or looking to refine your understanding, this comprehensive glossary covers essential terms you'll encounter in offline poker tournaments at luxury casino hotels.
We've organized these terms by category to help you navigate the world of poker language more effectively.
Any opportunity to bet, call, raise, or fold. Also refers to the amount of betting in a game (e.g., "a high-action game").
Forced bets posted by players to the left of the dealer button in flop-style poker games to ensure there's an initial stake to play for.
A marker that indicates the dealer position in a hand of poker. In casino games, a physical dealer handles the cards, but the button determines who acts last after the flop.
Cards dealt face up in the center of the table that are available for all players to use in making their best five-card hand.
In casino poker, a professional employee who handles the cards, manages the pot, and ensures the game runs smoothly according to rules.
The first three community cards dealt face-up in a game of Texas Hold'em or Omaha.
The private cards dealt face down to each player that only they can see and use.
The pile of folded and burned cards collected by the dealer during a hand. Also refers to the act of folding your hand without showing it.
The total amount of money or chips wagered during a hand of poker.
The fifth and final community card dealt in a hand of Texas Hold'em or Omaha.
The point at which all betting is complete and remaining players must show their cards to determine the winner.
The fourth community card dealt in a hand of Texas Hold'em or Omaha, also known as "Fourth Street."
Betting all of your remaining chips on a single hand.
To place chips into the pot as a wager.
The larger of two forced bets in a Texas Hold'em or Omaha game, posted by the player two positions to the left of the dealer button.
To match the current bet amount to stay in the hand.
To pass the action to the next player without betting when there is no outstanding bet to match.
To discard your hand and forfeit any chips you've already put into the pot, removing yourself from the current hand.
To make the first voluntary bet in a betting round.
To increase the current bet amount, forcing other players to match your new bet to stay in the hand.
The smaller of two forced bets in a Texas Hold'em or Omaha game, posted by the player immediately to the left of the dealer button.
An illegal betting motion where a player doesn't place all raising chips in the pot in one motion or doesn't verbally declare the raise amount before placing chips.
Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
Four cards of the same rank, such as four Queens.
Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, such as three 8s and two Aces.
When no player has even a pair, the highest card wins.
Two cards of the same rank, such as two 10s.
The highest possible hand: A, K, Q, J, 10 all of the same suit.
Five cards in sequential rank, not all of the same suit, such as 7, 8, 9, 10, J.
Five cards in sequence and of the same suit, such as 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 all of hearts.
Three cards of the same rank, such as three 7s.
Two different pairs, such as two Queens and two 4s.
A forced bet that all players must contribute to the pot before a hand begins, typically used in later tournament stages.
A cash prize awarded to a player who eliminates a specific player in a tournament, common in knockout format tournaments.
The point in a tournament when one more player elimination will ensure all remaining players will finish in the money.
The amount of money required to enter a poker tournament.
The last table of a tournament when only one table of players remains.
A tournament format where players cannot rebuy after losing all their chips.
Finishing a tournament in a position that pays out prize money.
An option in some tournaments that allows players to buy more chips after losing their initial stack, usually within a specific period.
A tournament where the prize is entry into a larger, more expensive tournament rather than cash.
The format of a tournament, including blind levels, starting chips, and payout distribution.
Betting or raising with a weak hand to make opponents fold stronger hands.
A situation where multiple players are dealt very strong hands simultaneously, often leading to significant confrontation.
A hand that is not yet complete but has the potential to become strong with the right additional cards.
The potential future payoff if you hit your drawing hand, factoring in how much you might win beyond the current pot.
An unpaired card used to determine the winner when players have the same pair or same ranked hand.
Cards that will improve your hand to a likely winner.
Your place in the betting order relative to the dealer button, which significantly influences optimal strategy.
The ratio of the current pot size to the cost of a contemplated call, used to determine if a call is mathematically justified.
Betting or raising with a hand that is currently weak but has the potential to improve to a strong hand.
A physical reaction, behavior, or habit that gives other players information about your hand.
Looking to deepen your understanding of poker terminology? Check out these valuable resources:
Visit our blog section for in-depth articles that put these terms into practical context.
Different casino hotels may use slightly different terminology or have unique house rules. Always familiarize yourself with the specific terms used at your venue.
Major tournament series like the World Series of Poker publish comprehensive rule books that include detailed terminology definitions.