EARLY POSITION
A position in a round of betting where a player must act before the other players. This is a
disadvantaged position.
FIFTH STREET
The final round of betting and the fifth card on the table, the river.
FISH
A poor player who is losing all of his or her money, a sucker.
FLOP
The first three cards placed in the center of table that anyone may use to form a hand.
FOLD
To pass a hand and chuck your cards in the 'muck' rather than continue betting.
FOUR OF A KIND
Four cards with the same value. For example 8,8,8,8. Only beat by a 'Straight Flush'.
FOURTH STREET
One block up from third and the fourth card dealt onto the table. This is also known as the 'TURN' in Hold 'em and Omaha.
FREEZE OUT
A game or a tournament that is played until one player has all the chips.
FULL HOUSE
A hand that contains three-of-a-kind and a pair. For example, QQQ88.
GUTSHOT
A straight filled inside. If you have 10- J in the hole and the flop comes 7,8,A then you need a 9 to make your Gutshot Straight. Its also the name of our famous poker club here in London.
HEADS-UP
Down to two players, battling it out for the money.
HOLE CARDS
The cards dealt face down to every player at the start of a hand.
IMPLIED ODDS
The ratio of the amount of money you forecast to win if you make your hand in relation to the bet you must now call to stay in the hand.
JACKSON FIVE
A hand with a pair of Jacks and at least one five.
JAMMED POT
A pot that has been raised the maximum number of times.
KEEP THEM HONEST
To call at the end of a hand to prevent someone from bluffing.
KEY HAND
In a tournament, this is a hand that proves to be a turning point - for better or for worse.
KICKER
The highest unpaired side card in a players' hand. For example, if you hold K-10 and the flop comes J,5,K then you have a pair of Kings with a 10 kicker.
KOJAK
A hand that contains a K-J.
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
Folding a strong hand in a critical situation.
LEGITIMATE HAND
A good, honest, strong hand. A hand that is not a bluff.
LIMIT POKER
Limit poker is poker with fixed bets. In a $2-$4 limit game, all bets and raises are $2 in the first 2 rounds (pre-flop and flop), and $4 on the turn and river (the last two rounds).
LIMP IN
When a player enters the round by only calling, rather than raising, a bet.
LIVE HAND
A hand that is eligible to win the pot.
LONG ODDS
When there is a very low probability that something will happen.
LONGHAND
Type of poker game with seven or more people playing simultaneously.
LOOSE PLAY
Playing many weak hands. Splashin' your chips about.
MAIN POT
When a player goes all-in, he or she is eligible to win the main pot. Any betting that is done after that is done in a side pot.
MONSTER
A big hand. When you've got a Monster hand you're hoping for a lot of action.
MUCK
To chuck your hand away. The actual pile of discarded hands is also called the 'Muck'.
NO LIMIT HOLD 'EM
A version of Texas Hold 'Em where at any time, any player can bet any or all of his or her chips. The chosen game for the 'Main Event' at the World Series of Poker.
NUT FLUSH
The best flush available within each hand.
NUT FLUSH DRAW
When one card will give you the best possible flush.
NUTS
The best possible hand at any given moment.
ODDS
The probability of making versus not making a hand.
ON THE BUTTON
The best table position in Hold 'em and Omaha. The player who acts last in a round.
ON TILT
To lose ones composure in the game and play badly due to emotional frustration.
OPEN CARD
A card that is dealt face-up.
OPEN END STRAIGHT DRAW
When you have four cards to a straight that are consecutive. This means you have two cards to draw and make your straight.
OPEN PAIR
Two cards of the same value that are dealt face-up.
OUTDRAW
When one person beats his or her opponent by drawing a better hand.
OUTS
The cards in the deck that if drawn could improve a hand.
OVER THE TOP
Making a large raise.
