Many casino games share the same tools. However, the vocabulary used to describe actions, inactions, players, and game pieces are often different. The game of poker is no exception. Understanding the poker terminology used is the first step to mastering the skill-based game.
Today’s casino news will highlight the poker terminologies you must know.
Poker Terminology and Common Words
Poker has a rich lexicon, and players often employ various terms and slang to describe different situations, strategies, and actions at the poker table. When learning the basics of poker, irrelevant to learn how to count cards in poker, but also the traditional jargon of the game. Poker terminology refers to the specialized vocabulary used in the game of poker. Here are some commonly used poker terms:
Poker Terminology: Hand Ranking
Whether you’re playing online or at a paradise sweepstakes casino, the goal of any poker gaming session is simple: Make the best five cards poker hands from the two cards you’ve been dealt and the five shared cards at the middle of the table. Better still, act like you have the best 5 hands. Below is the hand rankings list that wins you a poker game from highest to the least.
- Royal flush: A royal flush is an unconquerable and the best possible hand in standard poker. It’s from 10 to Ace.
- Straight flush: Five cards in a row, all of identical suit.
- Four of a kind: Four cards of the same suit.
- Full house: A mix of three of a kind plus a pair.
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit.
- Straight: Five cards in a row of varying suits.
- Three of a kind: Three of identical values but different suits.
- Two pair: At least two cards are the same value.
- High-card: No two cards are the same value.
These hand rankings are easy to study in our American casino guide. Make sure to visit our guides section to get more details on the hand ranking and how to make the best of your own hand.
Pre-Game Terms
Before a game starts, here are a few terminologies to note.
- Ante: Ante is the basic amount (Poker chips) each player must pay before the game begins.
- Pot: Pot in poker refers to the total money that players wager during a game session. However, the pot depends on the poker variant being played.
A game of poker starts with three crucial positions at the table.
- A dealer button: The dealer is the term for this person. He is in charge of handing out all of the cards.
- Small Blind: The small blind is the obligatory stake made by the player sitting two positions left of the dealer button. The small blind is half of the amount of a big blind.
- Big Blind: The big blind is a mandatory stake made by a player which happens to fall to the left side of the small blind. It is also the lowest possible bet in a poker game.
Start of a Game
At the start of a poker session, cards will be dealt clockwise, starting with the player to the left of the button. However, note these poker terms before you continue with the game.
- Hole card: These are the foremost two cards dealt to everyone on the table.
- Action: In poker, taking action is engaging with the hand. It can also indicate a bet, check, call, or raise. Even inaction might be seen as a move in a game of poker.
Poker Terminology: Actions Taken in the Game
Once all players have been dealt their whole cards, here are some actions they must take.
- Fold: It is said when a player no longer wants to continue the game. He will do this by placing the cards down and losing all his bets.
- Call: This is when a player puts the amount in the pot to continue with the game.
- Raise: To raise means making a higher bet than what is already in the pot. This way, all other players must increase their stakes to that level or fold.
- All-in: Here, a player places all his chips into the pot.
Dealer Lays Out Other Actions
After all these actions, the dealer places the flop.
- Flop: The foremost three cards placed on the poker table after all the participants have been dealt their whole cards is called a flop. It is also called a community card because all the players share them.
- Check: This move happens when a player doesn’t want to take any action. The player is not interested in placing any bets despite staying in the game.
- Bet: Placing chips into the pot.
- Turn or Fourth Street: This term surfaces when a dealer places a fourth card on the poker table. Another round of betting happens. After which, the dealer places the last card.
- River: This is the last card placed into the community cards.
- Playing the board: This is where a player decides to use all the cards on the table.
- Showdown: Showing of cards at the conclusion of a poker round.
Final Thoughts
Once you know all these terminologies mentioned, you can be confident you are ready to play a game of poker. You still have to learn some basic strategies to have an edge. For example, how to count cards in poker is important. However, these terminologies are all you need to get started.
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