20 Poker Terms You Should Know

Poker can intimidate new players because of the complicated terminology that accompanies the game. Adam Coppens, a 28-year-old professional poker player from Goshen, Ind., can attest to that. But Coppens says that learning poker jargon is easier to do than you'd think. He stresses that the best way to learn all the lingo is to practice and play the game itself. In the end, knowing the terms can help you fit in with the other players and may even help you feel more confident at the table.

Basics

The Flop - The first three cards out of five that are dealt to the table (or the "community") in the popular Texas Hold 'Em style of poker.

The Turn - The fourth card dealt to the community in Texas Hold 'Em.

The River - The fifth and final card dealt to the community during a game of Texas Hold 'Em poker.

Blinds - There are two blinds in any poker game: a small blind and a big blind. The small blind is posted by the player to the left of the dealer and the big blind to the person left of him. These bets take place before the flop, hence the term "blind."

Pot - The amount of money or chips that will go to the player who wins that hand. For every hand there is a new pot.

Button - A small disc or chip that signifies who is "dealing." Most poker games have someone else dealing for the table, but the button still exists to indicate who pays the blinds.

Actions

All In - When a player bets all her chips or money on one hand.

Call - When there is a bet on the table, the player has the option to meet, or call, the bet. If the player does not call, she must fold.

Raise - When a player increases the amount of chips or money bet on a hand.

Check - When the player is not required to call a bet and does not raise the pot.

Fold - When the player drops out of the hand (usually to avoid calling a bet).

Bluff - When a player has a poor hand but acts like he has a winning hand.

The Cards

Nuts - At any point throughout the game, the person with the nuts is the player who has the best set of cards that nobody else could beat at that time.

Kicker - If two players have a hand worth the same (e.g. a pair of aces) then the player with the highest additional card (the kicker) wins.

Muck - When a player loses a hand and does not show his cards.

The Players

Nit - A player who is tight with her money or is afraid to gamble.

Donkey - An insult directed at a player who is consistently bad.

Fish - A term for an inexperienced or new poker player.

Tilt - A player who is emotional throughout the game, causing him to play poorly.

Heater - A player who has won several pots in a short period of time.

Sources:

http://card-games.suite101.com/article.cfm/a_is_for_all_in
http://www.flopturnriver.com/top-10-poker-lingo.php
http://www.oldvegaschips.com/pokerterms.htm