Poker Glossary

The first re-raise before the flop. The big blind counts as the first bet and the open-raise as the second, so the re-raise is the 3-bet. It signals a very strong hand — or a bluff.

Betting your entire stack in one move. Once you're all-in you can't bet again; if two or more opponents with bigger stacks keep betting, those extra chips form a side pot you can't win.

A small forced bet posted before the deal to build the pot — by every player, or in the big blind ante format by the big blind alone. Common in later tournament levels, unlike blinds, which usually only two players post.

A draw that needs both the turn and the river to complete — for example, a backdoor flush when you flop just one extra card of your suit.

Losing a hand you were a big favorite to win, usually to an unlikely turn or river card.

The money you've set aside specifically for poker, kept separate from everyday finances so downswings don't hurt your life.

Forced bets posted before the cards are dealt: the small blind (SB) sits left of the button, the big blind (BB) next — heads-up, the button posts the small blind. They create action every hand.

Betting or raising with a weak hand to make a better hand fold. Reckless bluffing bleeds chips; well-timed bluffs win pots you'd otherwise lose.

The community cards in the middle of the table. A 'wet' board is draw-heavy and dangerous; a 'dry' board offers few draws.

The dealer position, marked by a round disc. It acts last after the flop — the most profitable seat — and moves one seat clockwise each hand.

Matching the current bet to stay in the hand. A player who calls far too often is called a 'calling station'.

Passing the action without betting — only possible when there is nothing to call: no one has bet yet in the round, or you are the big blind and nobody raised preflop.

Checking first, then raising after an opponent bets. A powerful move to trap opponents holding a strong hand, or to punish habitual bettors.

A bet on the flop by the player who raised preflop, keeping the initiative they already had. Effective because opponents often miss the flop.

A hand where two very strong holdings collide and someone was always going to lose big — like a set running into a higher set. Rarely avoidable.

An unfinished hand that becomes strong if the right card arrives — most often a flush draw or a straight draw.

Your share of the pot based on how often you win, with tied runouts counted as a split. Heads-up, a hand that wins 60% and ties 10% of the time has 65% equity in the current pot.

The first three community cards, dealt at the same time, followed by the second betting round.

Giving up the hand and forfeiting any chips already in the pot. It stops further losses. Also called 'mucking'.

Game Theory Optimal — a balanced, unexploitable strategy. Heads-up it can't be beaten long-term, even when opponents know exactly what you're doing; with three or more players that guarantee no longer holds.

An inside straight draw needing one specific rank — just 4 outs. Example: 5-6-8-9 needing a 7.

The full set of hands an opponent could hold in a given spot. 'Putting someone on a range' means narrowing down their likely holdings.

Independent Chip Model — converts tournament chips into real cash-prize value. Essential for correct call/fold decisions on the bubble and at the final table.

A side card that breaks a tie when two players share the same made hand. Example: on an ace pair, A-K beats A-Q because the king outkicks the queen.

Just calling the big blind preflop instead of raising. Usually a passive, weak play that invites others in cheaply.

The best possible hand given the current board. If you 'have the nuts', you cannot lose the hand as it stands.

Two cards of different suits (e.g., A♠K♦). Slightly weaker than the suited version of the same hand because it's far less likely to make a flush.

The cards left in the deck that improve you to what should be the winning hand. A flush draw has 9 outs and an open-ended straight draw 8 — fewer if some of those cards also give an opponent a better hand.

A pocket pair higher than every card on the board — for example, QQ on a J-7-3 flop.

Where you act in the betting order. Acting later ('in position') is a major edge because you see opponents act before you decide.

The total chips wagered in a hand. The best hand at showdown wins it — or the last player left if everyone else folds — though a side pot created by an all-in is awarded separately; tied hands split it evenly (a split pot).

The ratio of your call to the pot: call ÷ (pot + call). If your equity beats that percentage and no more betting can follow (an all-in, for example), calling is profitable long-term.

The first betting round, before any community cards, when each player has only their two hole cards.

Increasing the current bet. It seizes initiative and pressures opponents to fold or commit more chips.

The small cut the house or poker site takes from each pot or tournament entry — how the room makes money.

The fifth and final community card, followed by the last betting round before showdown.

Betting a hand that's weak now but can improve — like a flush draw. Safer than a pure bluff because you can still hit and win if called.

Three of a kind made with a pocket pair plus one matching board card. Very well disguised — opponents rarely see it coming. (Compare 'Trips'.)

After the final bet, remaining players reveal their cards. The best five-card hand wins the pot.

Stack-to-Pot Ratio — effective stack ÷ pot. A low SPR favors committing with strong made hands; a high SPR rewards draws and post-flop skill.

The chips a player has on the table. A 'deep stack' is large relative to the blinds; a 'short stack' is small.

Playing emotionally and poorly after a bad beat or frustration. It's the leak that costs most players more than any single hand ever does.

Three of a kind made with one hole card and a pair on the board. Stronger-looking to opponents than a set, so it gets less value. (Compare 'Set'.)

The fourth community card, dealt after the flop, followed by its own betting round.

Betting a strong hand to get called by a worse one — the opposite of a bluff, and where most long-term profit comes from.

The lowest possible straight, A-2-3-4-5, in which the ace plays low.