Poker Terminology
In any casino game, there are jargons, or language, employed. Poker also uses some jargons paculier to the game. Every Poker player should learn the common terms used in a Poker game. Through this, a smooth Poker game is ensured, and the Poker player has better chances to compete in an effective way.
Poker players are expected to learn the rules of Poker before they actually play it. Thus, when players are already at the table, everybody readily assumes that all Poker players are oriented to the game.
The following are some basic Poker Terms that any Poker player must know:
In Texas Hold'Em, a variation of Poker, Hole Cards refer to the first two cards distributed to the player by the Poker dealer.
A "rake" refers to payment or commission paid to the host, or casino, for the services rendered in the Poker room. The pot, sometimes called the Poker pot, is the sum total of all money bet by all players. Usually, the rake is derived from the pot before it is awarded to the winning Poker player.
When a Poker player wagers all his chips, it is called "all-in."
In Texas Hold'Em, the fifth (the last card dealt to the Poker players) is called the "river". Rivers make or break Poker players. In Texas Hold'Em, the fourth card dealt to the players is called the "turn."
"Flop" refers to the first three cards in Poker that are dealt to the Players. Flops are shown in any game. "Limp" refers to Poker players who bet before the flop.
"Ante" refers to the minimum required opening bet in the game of Poker. Players who must "ante-up" are called "blinds." In Poker, there are usually big and small blinds.
To "Call" a bet, Poker players match the highest bid made by other Poker players. To "raise" a bet, Poker players must first match the highest bet before raising it.
A Poker player "folds" when he gives up his cards and accepts defeat. All money the Poker player wagered into the Poker pot is lost to them.
To pass a turn in Poker, the term used is "Check."
While the Poker game goes on, Poker players with the highest pair are called the "Top Pair" while those with the lowest are called the "Bottom Pair." Similarly, Poker players with the best hand in the game is said to have the "nuts."
A "Buy-in" is the amount of money required before a Poker player can sit in the Poker table.
These are only some of the terms used in Poker that every Poker player should know by heart. Memorize these and enjoy your game of Poker.
