More Terminology

Edge

In the long run luck evens out and only skill remains as a deciding factor between players. Edge is the slight advantage one player has over another through better skill, larger stack or better position.

Grinder

A player that consistently plays for hours with the intent of slowly and carefully building a large bank roll.

Fish

A nickname for bad, losing players, given by better, winning players.

Flat call

Making a call in a situation where a raise would have been feasible.

Freeroll

A huge tournament that is free to enter.

Heads-up

One-on-one poker game.

Hole cards

Your starting hand, also known as pocket cards.

Gut shot

To draw to a very unlikely draw like an inside straight.

Inside straight

On a 5, 9, Q flop with 6, 7 hole cards, an 8 would make the inside straight.

Kicker

In case of two players holding equal hands, like the same pair, the highest unpaired card, the kicker, will decide the winner. See Dominated.

Limit

The dollar value of the blind. Defines how “big” the game is. You need a much larger stack to play a $50 limit game than a $0.50 game, obviously.

Limping

Calling the big blind in pre-flop action.

Nuts

To hold the absolutely best combination of cards currently possible. Remember, although you have the nuts on the flop, you may lose after the turn and the river. Holding J10 a flop of 7, 8 and 9 would give you the nuts. Best possible straight! But if the turn or river brings another 9, a guy holding 99 would now have a four of a kind making them the nuts.

Open-ended straight

A straight draw that can hit both ways. With a J10 on the flop, a player holding KQ has an open-ended straight draw, hitting with an ace or a nine. See Inside straight.

Outs

The total number of possibilities a player has to win a pot based on the current situation. If he holds 99 and needs another 9 to win, then he would have a total of two outs.

Over card

Pocket cards that have a value higher than the highest card currently on the board. An ace and a king are over cards to a 57J flop.

Pocket pair

Holding two equally valued cards like AA, KK, 77 or 22.

Position

A player’s position in relation to the dealer’s button. As the button moves so does your position.

Early: First three seats left of (after) the button. The least advantageous position since these players makes their moves first.
Middle: Seats 4 through 7 after the button.
Late: Positions 8 and 9. Playing out of this position gives players an edge since they already know the other players moves.
On the: This seat acts last and thus has an even button bigger edge than the late position.

Rag

Low value communal card that probably does not affect the outcome of a hand.

Ring game

Single table game where all bets are made directly from a player’s stack and not put into a prize pool and divided at the end as in a tournament. It’s every hand for it self. Players can join and enter the games as they please. Also known as a cash game.

A set

A pocket pair that connects with the board making a three of a kind.

Showdown

All players still left in the pot after the final betting round reveal their cards so that the winner can be determined.

Stack the pot

Winning the pot and adding it to your stack.

Starting hand

The two face-down cards dealt to each player at the start of a hand.

Steam

To lose your temper and start playing badly.

Streak

To be 'in the zone' and win with whatever cards you are dealt.

Suited / off suit

Starting hands with matching suits - hearts, clubs, spades or diamonds.

Tells

Behavioral patterns that reveal a players moves and strategies.

Tilt

To completely lose it and play like a madman. Most commonly after taking several bad beats.

Trap

To lure other player to stay in and preferably raise a pot you are absolutely sure you are going to win.