Rakeback: A system offered by poker rooms where a player receives a portion of the rake they paid back, usually as a percentage of their total rake over a specific period.
Ram and jam: A poker strategy involving aggressive betting or raising, often with the intention of putting maximum pressure on opponents.
Random card theory suggests that the likelihood of drawing any specific card is equal, regardless of the previous outcomes. This theory is often used to explain why poker players should not rely on patterns or superstitions when making decisions, as each card dealt is independent of past hands.
Rank: The value of a card in a deck, ranging from 2 to 10, and including face cards (Jack, Queen, King) plus the Ace. In poker, ranks are used to determine hand strength, with Ace typically being the highest and 2 the lowest.
Ratholing is the practice in poker where a player removes a portion of their chips from the table during a game, reducing their stack while still remaining active in the game. This is generally frowned upon as it disrupts the flow of the game and can be considered unethical or against the rules in many poker settings.
Razz: A lowball poker variant where the goal is to make the lowest five-card hand using seven dealt cards, with straights and flushes not counting against the hand.
Re-entry: A tournament format allowing players who are eliminated to buy back in for a new entry, typically after the initial buy-in period ends. This gives players multiple chances to compete, unlike a single elimination format.
Real Time Assistance (RTA) refers to using software or tools during a poker game to gain an unfair advantage by providing real-time advice, calculations, or suggestions on how to play hands.
Reciprocality in poker refers to the concept where players exchange similar moves or strategies over time, balancing out their wins and losses. This can occur when players have similar skill levels and make similar decisions, resulting in an equilibrium where no player gains a significant advantage over the others. Understanding reciprocality can help players identify opportunities to break the pattern and gain an edge.
In poker, ‘removal’ refers to the effect of knowing some cards that are not in the deck, typically your own hole cards or those on the board, influencing the probability of opponents’ hands.
Responsible Gaming: The practice of ensuring gambling activities are conducted in a safe, fair, and accountable manner, promoting player protection, preventing addiction, and encouraging informed decisions.
In poker, ‘resulting’ refers to the tendency of evaluating a play based on the outcome rather than the decision-making process. This cognitive bias can lead to flawed analysis, as good decisions can have bad results and vice versa.
Risk of Ruin: The probability of losing one’s entire bankroll in gambling or investing. It measures how likely it is that a player will go broke due to a series of unfavorable outcomes. Calculated based on bankroll size, bet size, and inherent variance of the game.
ROI: Return on Investment, a measure of the profitability of a player’s poker activities. Calculated as (Total Profit / Total Investment) x 100, it indicates the percentage of profit made from the money invested in playing poker.
Roll Your Own: A poker variant where players reveal one of their hole cards each betting round, adding a layer of strategy to decision-making.
Rotation: In poker, rotation refers to the order in which players take turns dealing cards or taking actions during a game, ensuring fair play and equal opportunity for all participants.
Runner Runner: Refers to a situation in poker where a player needs two specific cards to complete a hand, and they are both dealt consecutively on the turn and the river.
Running It Twice: A situation in poker where the remaining community cards are dealt twice when players go all-in, reducing variance by creating two separate outcomes for the same hand.
Rush Poker: A fast-paced variant of online poker where players are immediately moved to a new table with new opponents after folding, minimizing downtime and maximizing action.
S&G / SNG (Sit and Go): A type of poker tournament that begins when a predetermined number of players have registered. Unlike scheduled tournaments, Sit and Go events have no set start time and can vary in size from single-table to multi-table formats.
Sandbagging: A deceptive tactic in poker where a player with a strong hand plays weakly to mislead opponents into betting more.
Scared Money: Refers to a player who is overly cautious or hesitant to make bets or raises due to fear of losing their bankroll, often resulting in suboptimal decision-making at the poker table.
In poker, ‘Schooling’ refers to a phenomenon in limit games where players collectively chase a draw, often leading to more players staying in the hand than would be optimal. This can increase the pot size and odds for drawing hands, as weaker players get ‘schooled’ into calling due to the larger pot odds.
Seat Position: Refers to a player’s location at the poker table, which is crucial for strategy. Positions are typically categorized as early, middle, and late, each offering distinct advantages and disadvantages based on betting order.
Second Pair: In poker, the second pair refers to having a pair of cards where one of the cards matches the second highest ranked card on the board.
Set Mining: A poker strategy where a player calls a pre-flop raise with a pocket pair, hoping to hit a three-of-a-kind (set) on the flop. The goal is to win a large pot if the set is hit, while minimizing losses if it is not.
Set over Set: In poker, this occurs when two players each have three of a kind (a set) using their pocket pairs, with one set being higher than the other based on rank.
Seven Card Stud: A poker variant where players are dealt seven cards each. There are no community cards, and players must make the best five-card hand from their own cards through a series of betting rounds.
Seventh Street: In seven-card stud poker, the final betting round. Players have received their last card, and they make their final bets or folds before the showdown.
In poker, ‘showdown value’ refers to the potential a hand has to win at a showdown, based on its inherent strength without needing to improve or bluff.
Shuffle: The process of mixing up the cards in a deck to ensure randomness before dealing.
Six-Max: A poker format with a maximum of six players per table. This style encourages aggressive play and faster action due to fewer participants, making hand ranges wider and gameplay more dynamic compared to full-ring tables.
In poker, Sixth Street refers to the fourth round of betting in a seven-card stud game, where the sixth card is dealt to each player.
Sizing refers to the decision-making process regarding the amount a player chooses to bet or raise during a poker hand. This involves strategic considerations such as opponent tendencies, pot size, stack sizes, and the specific dynamics of the hand and game being played.
Skill in poker refers to the ability to make strategic decisions based on probability, psychology, and game theory. It involves reading opponents, managing a bankroll, and knowing when to bet, fold, or raise. Unlike games of chance, skill in poker can significantly influence the outcome of the game over time.
Slow play: A deceptive strategy where a player with a strong hand plays weakly to entice opponents to bet more, aiming to maximize the pot size.
Small Ball: A poker strategy focusing on frequent small bets and raises to control the pot size, apply pressure, and minimize risk rather than relying on large, aggressive moves.
Smallball: A poker strategy focusing on minimizing risk by making small bets and raises to control pot size, aiming to outplay opponents with superior post-flop skills rather than relying on luck or large wagers.
SNG (Sit and Go): A type of poker tournament that starts as soon as the required number of players have registered. Typically, SNGs have a single table format with a set buy-in and prize pool, offering a quick and convenient way to play a complete tournament.
Soft Play: A situation in poker where a player deliberately avoids betting or raising against a specific opponent, often due to a personal relationship or collusion, thus compromising the integrity of the game.
Splitting Blinds: A poker situation where two or more players agree to split the blind bets without playing the hand. This is typically done in friendly games to avoid confrontation or when players are short-stacked.
SPR (Stack to Pot Ratio): A critical concept in poker, especially in no-limit games, representing the ratio of a player’s remaining stack to the current pot size. It helps players determine the right post-flop strategy, balancing between commitment and flexibility, and assessing potential risk versus reward.
Spread Limit: A betting structure in poker where players can bet any amount within a specified range during a betting round. The range provides flexibility compared to fixed limit, but is more controlled than no limit.
SRP stands for Single Raised Pot, which refers to a pot that has been raised only once pre-flop, usually by one player making the initial raise and others either calling or folding.
SSHE, or Small Stakes Hold ’em, refers to strategies and techniques designed for playing Texas Hold ’em at lower stakes tables, typically involving smaller buy-ins and less experienced players. The game usually features loose, passive play, requiring adjustments in tactics to exploit common mistakes. It’s a popular choice for beginners to gain experience and build skills in a less intimidating environment.
Stack to Pot Ratio: A measurement used in poker to compare the size of a player’s stack to the size of the pot, helping to determine the correct betting strategy.
Staking in poker refers to the arrangement where a backer provides a player with the funds to enter a tournament or cash game. In return, the backer receives a percentage of the players winnings. This is common among professional players to mitigate financial risk and allows players to participate in higher stakes games.
Starting hand value refers to the initial strength or potential of the two private cards each player receives at the beginning of a hand in poker. It is a critical factor in determining the likelihood of winning the hand, influencing betting decisions and strategies.
Steal Position: A late position at the poker table, often the cutoff or button, where players attempt to win the pot with a raise, leveraging their position to make opponents fold.
Steal the Blinds: A poker strategy where a player raises pre-flop with the primary goal of winning the blinds without contest. This move is typically made from a late position and against opponents in the blinds who are likely to fold.
Steal the Antes: A strategy in poker where a player raises aggressively to win the antes from the pot, especially effective in tournaments with large antes and short-stacked opponents.
Steamrolling refers to a strategy in poker where a player aggressively bets or raises to intimidate and overpower opponents, often forcing them to fold marginal hands.
Stop and Go: A poker strategy where a player calls a bet while in the small blind or big blind position and then makes a significant bet on the next street regardless of the turn card. This is often used to regain control and pressure the opponent.
Strategy: The plan or methodology a player uses to make decisions in poker, aiming for optimal play to maximize winnings and minimize losses. It involves understanding probabilities, reading opponents, and adapting tactics based on the game’s dynamics.
Strip Poker: A variant of traditional poker where players remove clothing as they lose bets or hands. The game is usually played for fun, not for money, and the rules regarding clothing removal can vary.
STT (Single Table Tournament): A poker tournament that involves only one table of players, typically ranging from 6 to 10 participants. The game continues until one player has all the chips, and prizes are often awarded to the top finishers.
Stud poker: A poker variant where each player receives a combination of face-up and face-down cards over multiple betting rounds, with no community cards.
Table Image: The perception that other players have of a player’s style and tendencies at the poker table. This includes how aggressive or conservative they are perceived to be, and can influence how opponents play against them.
Texas Hold’em: A popular variant of poker where each player is dealt two private cards and five community cards are dealt face-up. Players use any combination of their two cards and the five community cards to make the best possible five-card hand. The game is played in multiple rounds with players betting based on the strength of their hands.
Texture: Refers to the composition of the community cards in a poker game, indicating how coordinated or uncoordinated they are. A ‘wet’ texture suggests the potential for strong hands like straights or flushes, while a ‘dry’ texture indicates fewer such possibilities.
The second best possible hand in a given situation, ranked just below the ‘nuts,’ which is the strongest possible hand.
The ‘action button’ in poker is a marker used to indicate a player’s turn to act, often rotating around the table to ensure fairness in the game’s progression.
The action: Refers to the sequence of betting and decision-making that occurs during a hand of poker. It includes all player moves such as checking, betting, raising, calling, and folding. “The action is on you” means it’s your turn to make a decision.
AK47: A playful nickname for the starting hand consisting of Ace and King in poker, referencing the famous rifle model for its perceived strength.
In poker tournaments, the average stack refers to the mean number of chips each remaining player has. It is calculated by dividing the total number of chips in play by the number of players still in the tournament. Knowing the average stack helps players assess their position relative to opponents and strategize accordingly.
Baluga Theorem: Reassess the strength of a one-pair hand if faced with a significant raise on the turn. It suggests that a turn raise often indicates a stronger hand, and holding just one pair is likely not enough. The theorem is applied in cash games and tournaments to avoid overvaluing one-pair hands in situations of aggression.
Battle of the Blinds refers to a situation in poker where the two players in the small blind and big blind positions compete against each other, often after all other players have folded pre-flop. This scenario is common in tournament play and can lead to strategic decisions, as both players have already invested chips and are fighting for control of the pot.
Betting Structure: The set rules outlining how players can place bets during a poker game, specifying limits on bet sizes, the number of raises, and whether the game is fixed-limit, pot-limit, or no-limit.
Big Game: A high-stakes poker game often featuring professional players and significant amounts of money.
Big Lick refers to the poker hand 6-9, often called due to its resemblance to a sexual position. It’s a playful nickname used in poker games.
Blue line: In poker, particularly in online games, the blue line refers to a graph line that represents a player’s non-showdown winnings. It tracks the profit or loss from hands that are won without needing to reveal cards at showdown.
In poker, the term ‘Board’ refers to the community cards that are dealt face-up in the center of the table. These cards are available for all players to use in combination with their own hole cards to form the best possible hand. The board typically consists of five cards in games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha, revealed in stages: the flop (three cards), the turn (fourth card), and the river (fifth card).
Bottom end: Refers to the lowest possible straight in a given hand, often vulnerable to being outdrawn by a higher straight.
Box: In poker, the box refers to the dealer’s area at the table, where the dealer sits and manages the game. It is also sometimes used to refer to the button or the designated dealer position.
Bubble: The stage in a poker tournament just before players start winning prizes. It’s when the next player eliminated will not receive any payout, creating tension among players to avoid being the ‘bubble boy’.
Button: In poker, the button is a marker that represents the position of the dealer. It rotates clockwise after each hand, determining the order of play and blinds.
Cut-off Position (CO): The position to the right of the dealer button in poker. Considered advantageous because players can act late in the betting round, allowing them to observe opponents’ actions before making decisions.
The cut-off is the position directly to the right of the dealer button in poker. Often considered a strategic seat, players in the cut-off position can exploit late position advantages, such as stealing blinds or making positional plays, especially in games with fewer players.
In poker, the ‘Cutoff’ is the position immediately to the right of the dealer button. It is considered a strong position because the player acts last in the betting rounds after the flop, turn, and river, except for the dealer. Players in the cutoff can take advantage of late position strategy, often attempting to steal blinds with aggressive play.
D: The dealer position at a poker table, often marked by a button, which is advantageous as it acts last in each betting round.
The Dealer’s Button is a small disk used in poker to indicate the player acting as the dealer for a hand. It determines the order of betting, with action proceeding clockwise. The button moves one position to the left after each hand to ensure fairness in dealing and betting positions.
Dealer’s position: The seat at the poker table that acts last in each betting round, offering a strategic advantage due to the ability to observe other players’ actions before deciding how to play.
Eldest Hand: The player immediately to the left of the dealer or button in a poker game, who is the first to act in the betting round.
Final Table: The last table in a poker tournament, where the remaining players compete for the top positions and prizes.
First in: The player who makes the first voluntary bet or raise in a round, regardless of position.
Floor: In a casino or poker room, the ‘Floor’ refers to the floor manager or floor staff responsible for overseeing operations, resolving disputes, and ensuring that games run smoothly.
Flop: In poker, the flop refers to the first three community cards dealt face-up on the table following the initial betting round. It is a crucial stage in games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha, significantly impacting players’ strategies as they form their hands.
The Fundamental Theorem of Poker: The principle stating that every time you play a hand differently from how you would if you could see all your opponents’ cards, they gain; and every time you play your hand the same as you would if you could see their cards, you gain.
Gap Concept: The principle in poker stating that a player needs a stronger hand to call a bet than to make an initial bet. This concept emphasizes the advantage of being the aggressor in betting, as it pressures opponents to have better hands to continue in the game.
The Hi-Jack, also known as the Hijack seat, refers to the position two seats to the right of the dealer in a poker game. It’s a strategic spot for preemptive actions, allowing players to steal the blinds or set up aggressive plays.
In poker, the ‘Hijack’ is the position two seats to the right of the dealer button, typically considered a late position. Players in the Hijack can often play more aggressively due to the strategic advantage of acting after most of the table.
Hot Seat: The position at a poker table where a player is experiencing a winning streak, often associated with a combination of skill and luck, resulting in frequent winning hands. This position may shift among players during a game.
Independent Chip Model (ICM): A mathematical formula used to calculate a player’s equity in a poker tournament based on their current chip stack, without considering future betting rounds. It helps determine the monetary value of a player’s stack relative to the remaining prize pool distribution.
In poker, the “Little Blind” is the smaller of the two forced bets placed before the cards are dealt. It is posted by the player immediately to the left of the dealer button in games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha.
Main Event: The centerpiece tournament of a poker series, often with the largest buy-in and prize pool, notably the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, which is considered the most prestigious tournament in the poker world.
Main Pot: The central pot in a poker game, which accumulates bets from all players during a hand. It is separate from any side pots that may be created when one or more players go all-in with different amounts. Only players who have not folded are eligible to win the main pot, and it is awarded to the player with the best hand at showdown.
In poker, the ‘hero’ is a term used to refer to the player whose perspective is being focused on during a hand or scenario analysis. It often involves describing the hand from the hero’s point of view, detailing their cards, actions, and thought process.
A poker slang term referring to a player who makes risky, aggressive plays or bluffs, drawing a comparison to the infamous outlaw known for bold robberies.
Mental game refers to the psychological aspects of poker, including managing emotions, maintaining focus, controlling tilt, and optimizing decision-making under pressure. It involves strategies to improve mental resilience and enhance performance.
Minimum Buy-In: The least amount of money a player is required to bring to the table to participate in a poker game. This ensures that all players have a sufficient stack to play effectively and protects the game’s integrity by maintaining a standard entry-level for all participants.
Most Common
