Poker Glossary

01Table and Game Terms

ButtonButton

The seat marked with the “D.” It moves one seat to the left after each hand. From the flop onward, the player in this seat acts last if still in the hand.Details: Rules and the flow of a hand

Small blindSmall blind

The seat to the left of the button. It posts a fixed small amount before the cards are dealt. In a heads-up game, the player on the button is also the SB.Details: Rules and the flow of a hand

Big blindBig blind

The seat to the left of the SB. It normally posts twice the SB before the cards are dealt.

BlindsBlinds

The amounts posted in advance by the SB and BB. At 5/10, the SB posts 5 and the BB posts 10.Details: Rules and the flow of a hand

AnteAnte

A fixed amount posted before the cards are dealt, separate from the blinds. BlackPoker does not use antes.

UTG, HJ, COUnder the gun / Hijack / Cutoff

Seat names at a six-player table. UTG is to the left of the BB, HJ is to the left of UTG, and CO is to the right of the button.Details: Position and action order

PositionPosition

Your seat at the table and the order of action it determines. The later you act, the more players you can watch before making your decision.Details: Position and action order

StackStack

The amount of chips you currently have.

Heads-upHeads-up

A game that starts with two players. The player on the button is also the SB.Details: Rules and the flow of a hand

No-limitNo-limit

A betting structure that lets you wager any amount up to your entire stack. Only the minimum amount is restricted.Details: Rules and the flow of a hand

Ring gameRing game

A format where you can sit down or leave whenever you like. The blinds do not increase.Details: Ring games and tournaments

TournamentTournament

A format where everyone starts with the same number of chips and the blinds rise over time. Players normally leave the game as they run out of chips.Details: Ring games and tournaments

02Stages of a Hand

HandHand

Depending on the context, this can mean your cards, the five cards used to compare players, or one complete deal.

Hole cardsHole cards

The two private cards only you can see.

BoardBoard

The face-up cards in the middle of the table that every player can use. There can be up to five.

PreflopPreflop

The betting round after the hole cards are dealt and before any board cards appear.Details: Rules and the flow of a hand

FlopFlop

The first three board cards. The term also refers to the betting round that follows them.

TurnTurn

The fourth board card. The term also refers to the betting round that follows it.

RiverRiver

The fifth board card. The term also refers to the final betting round that follows it.

ShowdownShowdown

When two or more players remain at the end and reveal their hole cards to determine the winner.

PotPot

The total chips wagered by all players during the hand. The winner takes them, or they are split in a tie.

Main potMain pot

When a player is all-in, the pot that every remaining player can contest.Details: Rules and the flow of a hand

Side potSide pot

A separate pot contested only by the players who contributed chips beyond the main pot. If three players put in 30, 100, and 100, the chips are divided into a pot of 90 contested by all three and a pot of 140 contested by two.Details: Rules and the flow of a hand

03Betting Terms

CheckCheck

To pass the action to the next player without betting when there is no amount to call.Details: Rules and the flow of a hand

BetBet

To make the first wager in a betting round.

CallCall

To add the chips needed to match the current wager.Details: Rules and the flow of a hand

RaiseRaise

To increase the current wager.Details: Rules and the flow of a hand

FoldFold

To discard your hole cards and leave the hand. Any chips you have already put in are not returned.Details: Rules and the flow of a hand

All-inAll-in

To wager all the chips you have.Details: Rules and the flow of a hand

3-bet3-bet

The third bet in a betting round. Preflop, the big blind counts as the first bet, so a re-raise of the opening raise is a 3-bet.

LimpLimp

To enter the pot preflop by calling the BB instead of raising.

04Hands and Card Terms

Poker hand rankingsPoker hands

The strength of a five-card combination. This site counts 10 types, from royal flush down to high card.Details: Poker hand rankings

KickerKicker

A remaining card used to determine the winner when the cards forming a pair or another hand are equal in rank. Only cards in the five-card hand are compared.Details: Comparing hands of the same rank

TieTie

When two or more players have equally strong five-card hands. The pot is divided equally among the tied players.Details: Rules and the flow of a hand

Pocket pairPocket pair

Two hole cards of the same rank. 8♠︎♠︎8♥︎♥︎

SuitedSuited

Two hole cards of the same suit. Hand charts add an s, as in AKs. A♥︎♥︎K♥︎♥︎Details: Starting hands

OffsuitOffsuit

Two hole cards of different suits. Hand charts add an o, as in AKo. A♥︎♥︎K♣︎♣︎Details: Starting hands

DrawDraw

A hand that can improve to a straight, flush, or another made hand with a card still to come.

NutsNuts

The strongest hand possible on the current board. If the board is K♠ 9♠ 4♠ 7♦ 2♣, a flush containing the A♠ is the nuts.

05Odds and Numbers

OutsOuts

Unseen cards that improve your hand if drawn. If four cards of the same suit are visible, there are 9 outs to a flush. Completing it does not necessarily mean you will win.Details: Poker probability chart

EquityEquity

Your chance of winning plus your share of the chance of a tie. If two players are certain to tie, each has 50% equity.

Equity needed to callEquity needed to call

Call amount ÷ total pot after calling. It is a benchmark that ignores any later betting.Details: Pot odds and expected value

Pot oddsPot odds

A comparison between the current pot and the amount needed to call. If the pot including your opponent's bet is 150 and the call is 50, the pot odds are 3-to-1 and the equity needed to call is 50 ÷ 200 = 25%.Details: Pot odds and expected value

Expected valueEV

The average gain or loss per attempt if the same situation were repeated many times.Details: Pot odds and expected value

Rule of 4 and 2Rule of 4 and 2

A quick estimate of your chance of hitting. If you will see both remaining cards, multiply your outs by 4. If you will see only the next card, multiply your outs by 2. Read either result as a percentage. The estimate becomes less accurate as the number of outs increases.Details: Poker probability chart

Implied oddsImplied odds

Odds that also account for the additional chips you may win after completing your hand.

06Strategy Terms

RangeRange

The set of hole-card combinations a player might hold in a given situation. It is used when reading an opponent's hand.Details: Reading an opponent's range

BluffBluff

To bet with a weak hand in an attempt to make an opponent fold.Details: How to think about bluffing

Semi-bluffSemi-bluff

To bet with a draw, aiming to win either when the opponent folds or when the draw comes in.Details: How to think about bluffing

Value betValue bet

A bet made to get called by a weaker hand.

Continuation betContinuation bet

A bet on the flop by the player who made the last raise preflop.

TightTight

Playing a narrow range of starting hands.Details: Starting hands

LooseLoose

Playing a wide range of starting hands.Details: Starting hands

TiltTilt

A state in which losses or other frustration make it difficult to make calm decisions.

Produced and edited by Predy GamesPublished:October 25, 2026Updated:October 25, 2026Report an error:Contact