The game of poker is filled with strange words and phrases. If you can understand the terminology you are one step on the road to becoming a great poker player. Step forward Mister Tips to help you in your quest!

Mister Tips' Poker Dictionary

All in - When all of your chips are in the pot.

Ante - Bet required from all players before the cards are dealt in some forms of poker.

Back door - To make a good hand by 'accident' whilst trying for a different one. For example, a back door flush.

Bad beat - When a strong hand is beaten by a one that hits a lucky card to improve and beat you. Most players have dozens of bad beat stories to tell!

Belly buster - A one card draw to a straight (also a gut shot).

Bicycle - The lowest straight: ace, one, two, three, four (also called the wheel).

Blank - A card that doesn't help anyone.

Blind - A forced bet for one or two players before the cards are dealt.

Bluff - To bet or raise without the best hand in the hope of forcing your opponent to fold their cards.

Button - A small disc which moves round the table to represent the position of the dealer when a house dealer is present.

Call - To put money in the pot to match the current high bet without increasing it.

Chase - To continue in a pot waiting for a card to help you when you are sure you are beaten at the current stage of the game.

Check - To decline your option to bet.

Check-Raise - To check first indicating weakness, then to raise after someone else has put a bet into the pot.

Connectors - In hold'em, two cards that could make a straight, ie 5-6, 7-9.

Double Belly Buster - A draw to a straight where two cards can come in the middle to make the straight.

Drawing Dead - Trying to make a hand which, if you do make it, is already beaten by someone else.

Family Pot - A hand where most of the players at the table are involved.

Flush - Five cards of the same suit.

Hole - The cards that are dealt to you face down (also Pocket)

Kicker - The side card to your hand, for example, a pair of tens with a king kicker.

Muck - To fold.

Nuts - The best possible hand at any particular stage.

Open Ended Straight - Four sequential cards which will make a straight either at the top or the bottom.

Out - A card that will improve your hand.

Pass - To check or fold.

Pocket - See Hole.

Rake - The percentage of the pot taken by the casino to cover costs and make their profit.

Rock - A player who seldom plays without the best cards.

Rolled Up - In seven card stud, to hand three of a kind in your first three cards.

Sandbag - To play a strong hand weakly.

Set - Three of a kind.

Short Stacked - To be running low on chips.

Straight - Five numerically sequential cards of different suits.

Suited - Cards of the same suit.

Trips - Three of a kind.

Wild Card - In some forms of poker, a card (or cards) that can count as any other should the player wish it.

Wired Pair - A pair in the hole.

 

There are many more terms in the game of poker, hopefully this little dictionary of poker will be of use when you are trying to understand the game a bit better!

Happy Gambling! Mister Tips