How To Understand Poker Terms. Part One

Step 1: Add-on

The opportunity, offered by some tournaments, to buy additional chips.

Step 2: Ante

This is the first bet posted by each Player before the cards are dealt.

Step 3: All-in

To bet all the money that you have on the table. A player is considered to be All-In when they bet all their remaining chips.

Step 4: Bad Beat

When a strong hand that is favourite loses to a weaker one by being outdrawn.

Step 5: Blind Bet

A compulsory bet that is made at the start to bring action into the game. The player to the dealers left posts the small blind bet equal to half the small bet, the player to his left posts the big blind equal to the small bet.

Step 6: Board

The community cards in a poker game.

Step 7: Button

A disk that signifies who is the nominated dealer for the hand. The button moves clockwise (to the left) each hand.

Step 8: Call

To bet the same amount as the current bet.

Step 9: Cap

The last raise permitted on a betting round.

Step 10: Check

When there is no bet already on the table for that current round of betting, you can "check" bet zero and pass the action on to the next player. If everyone checks, then play moves onto the next round.

Step 11: Community Cards

These are cards that all players can use to make their hands. In Texas Hold'em the Board cards are community cards.

Step 12: Dealer Button

The player with "the button" is the nominated dealer for each hand.

Step 13: Door Card

The third card dealt to each player, dealt face up, in a game of Seven Card Stud.

Step 14: Draw

To receive a card.

Step 15: Fifth Street

Also known as The River - the final board card in Texas Hold'em.

Step 16: Fish

As opposed to a Shark, a weak unskilled player.

Step 17: Flop

The first three board cards, used in Texas Hold'em or Omaha. They are turned up at the same time and start the second betting round.

Step 18: Fold

To drop out of the hand.

Step 19: Heads Up

Situation where only two people remain in the hand.

Step 20: Hole Cards

Also known as "Pocket Cards". The cards are dealt face down to each player. Hole cards are used in Texas Hold'em and Omaha.