All-in
To bet everything you have and have all your chips in the middle.
Bad Beat
Losing a hand that you were a favorite to win.
Big Blind
The person seated two places to the left of the dealer. This player places the big blind before the cards are dealt, which is an amount that is usually twice the small blind.
Blind
The money that is put into the pot before the cards are dealt.
Bluff
Playing in a way to try to get your opponents to fold, when you do not hold strong cards.
Call
To match another player’s bet.
Cash Game
A poker game played for cash, as opposed to a tournament.
Fifth Street
Also known as the river, it is the final community card dealt in Texas hold’em and Omaha. It is the third card dealt in seven card stud.
Fish
A term for weak players, as opposed to strong players who can be known as sharks as they prey on the fish.
Flop
The first three community cards that are dealt in one go in hold’em and Omaha games.
Fourth Street
Also known as the turn, this is the fourth community card dealt in Texas hold’em and Omaha games.
Heads Up
A situation where there are only two players left in the game.
Hole Card
Cards that are dealt face down to you in hold’em and stud games.
Nuts
The best possible hand is known as the nuts.
Out
A card that will give you a top hand is known as an out.
Pot
The money in the middle. This is the money that all players aim to take home and the winner takes the pot.
Raise
To bet more than the previous player.
River
The last community card dealt in hold’em and Omaha games. Also known as fifth street in hold’em and Omaha or seventh street in stud.
Small Blind
The player one place to the left of the dealer who has to place the small blind before the cards are dealt. This amount is usually half the size of the small bet.
Tell
A tell is a mannerism or behavior that hints as to the cards in the person’s hand. Opponents use tells to read the strength of their opponents’ hands.
Third Street
The first face up card to be dealt in stud games.
Tight
A tight player is one who only plays good hands and fold weak hands.
Tilt
Going on tilt means that you are not playing with a clear head.
Tournament
As opposed to a cash game, a tournament may have any number of entrants and requires you to play until you are knocked out or you win.
Turn
The fourth community card to be dealt in hold’em and Omaha games.