ANTE BET:
This is the opening bet that each player must make in order to play.
ALL-IN:
To run out of chips while betting or calling, as in: John was "all-in" on the second bet.
BAD BEAT:
When an underdog hand beats a favored hand.
BET TO CALL DEALER:
This bet is exactly twice the amount of the player's ante bet. The Player can make this bet if he thinks his hand will beat the Dealer's.
BLIND BET:
A bet made by one or more players before and cards are dealt that is forced bet (or partial).
BURN CARD:
The top card of the deck that is discarded face down between each betting round, before dealing out the next community card(s). The Burn Card is security against accidental or, of course, intentional peeks at the first card.
BUTTON:
A white acrylic disk that indicates who is the dealer.
BUY:
Buy the Pot Bluffing, hoping to "buy" the pot without being called.
Buy the Button Betting or raising in hopes of making players between you and the button fold, consequently allowing you to place the last wager for subsequent rounds.
CAP:
Placing the last raise allowed on a betting round (typically the third or fourth raise).
CASE:
The final card of any given rank. The last Jack, the last King.
CENTER OR MAIN POT:
The first pot established in a hand; as opposed to one or more "side" pots created by a player(s) who goes all-in.
CHECK:
* Not betting, while reserving the right to call or raise later in the round. * Another word for "poker chip".
CHECK RAISE:
Checking, but waiting until a player behind you bets, and then raising.
COME HAND:
Drawing hand.
COMPLETE HAND:
A hand defined by all five cards, is an example straight, flush, full house, etc.
CRACK:
Beating a (typically) big hand.
CRIPPLE:
Refers to having the majority or all of the cards someone else wants with the current board. "He crippled the deck"
DEALER'S BET:
The Dealer can continue to play only with an Ace or King or higher. If the Dealer is unable to open, the hand is over, and the remaining Players are paid their ante bets.
EQUITY:
The amount you can win from a given pot. Let's say there is a $100 pot. A 50% chance of winning gives you $50 equity in the pot.
FAMILY POT:
A pot in which the majority of all of the players call before the flop.
FLOP:
The first three community cards. They are dealt face up. Flop refers to all three of the cards.
FOLD:
The Player can decide to forfeit his ante bet after the cards have been dealt if he thinks his hand will lose to the Dealer's.
FOUL:
A hand that has been deemed unplayable due to a factor that breaks the rules. The player who commits the foul or who has a foul hand is prohibited from winning from the pot.
HEADS UP:
Refers to a pot that is being contested by only two players.
HIT:
In the expression "the flop hit me." Might be said (or thought) in the event that the flop produced a card that helped your hand.
HOUSE:
The casino where you are playing, or the establishment that is running your game.
IMPLIED ODDS:
Odds you may include in your calculations but that will only become true if you hit your hand. Used when your hand is significantly more potent than usual.
KICKER:
An unpaired card used to determine your strategy when choosing between two near-equivalent hands.
LIVE BLIND:
A forced bet made before any cards are dealt. The word "live" refers to the player's or players' reserved right to raise when their turn comes up again.
MUCK:
The pile of folded and burned cards that have been placed in front of the dealer.
NUTS:
The best possible hand that has been given on the board.