Poker online can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the game. One of the first steps toward becoming a confident player is understanding the language of poker. Online poker has its own set of terms and abbreviations that can be confusing for beginners but once you learn them, the game becomes much more approachable.
This article breaks down the most important poker terms you need to know before hitting the virtual tables.
1. Blinds
These are mandatory bets placed before cards are dealt:
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Small Blind (SB) – Paid by the player immediately to the left of the dealer.
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Big Blind (BB) – Paid by the next player to the left. It’s usually double the small blind.
Blinds ensure there is money in the pot to play for on every hand.
2. Hole Cards
The two private cards each player receives at the beginning of a hand in Texas Hold’em. Only you can see these cards.
3. Flop, Turn, and River
These refer to the community cards dealt face-up in stages:
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Flop – The first three community cards.
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Turn – The fourth community card.
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River – The fifth and final community card.
You combine your hole cards with these to form your best 5-card poker hand.
4. Check, Bet, Call, Raise, Fold
These are the core actions in poker:
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Check – Pass the action without betting.
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Bet – Wager chips into the pot.
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Call – Match another player’s bet.
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Raise – Increase the current bet.
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Fold – Give up your hand and exit the round.
5. All-In
A bold move where you bet all of your remaining chips. If you win, you double (or more) your stack; if not, you’re out of chips.
6. Pot
The total amount of chips or money in the center of the table that players are competing to win.
7. Position
Where you sit in relation to the dealer button. Position is crucial:
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Early Position (EP) – You act early; disadvantage.
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Middle Position (MP) – Neutral.
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Late Position (LP) – You act last; big advantage.
Being in late position gives you more information before making decisions.
8. Dealer Button (Button)
A rotating disk that indicates the notional dealer for that hand. The button determines the order of betting and blinds.
9. Rake
A small percentage of the pot that the poker site takes as a fee for hosting the game. This is usually around 5% of each pot.
10. Hand Rankings
Poker hands are ranked from highest to lowest. Some examples:
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Royal Flush – A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit (highest)
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Full House – Three of a kind + one pair
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Pair – Two cards of the same rank
Knowing these rankings is critical for understanding who wins a hand.
11. Tilt
A mental state where a player starts making poor decisions due to frustration or anger. Recognizing and avoiding tilt is essential to long-term success.
12. Freeroll
A poker tournament with no entry fee but real-money prizes. Great for beginners to practice without risking money.
13. Buy-In
The amount of money required to enter a cash game or tournament.
14. Bankroll
The total amount of money you’ve set aside specifically for playing poker. Managing your bankroll is vital to avoid going broke.
15. Heads-Up
A situation where only two players are left in a hand or tournament.
Conclusion
Knowing these essential poker terms will help you feel more confident at the tables and allow you to follow the game smoothly. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to brush up your knowledge, mastering the lingo is a big step toward becoming a better poker online player.
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