Understanding the Language of Poker

Before you can start to read about strategies and tactics, the very first thing that you must learn are the Poker terms and definitions that are used by the players. By knowing exactly what people are talking about, you will be able to accelerate your progress and make the learning curve smoother.

One of the Poker terms that you will read about will be the dealer button. This is a rectangular or circular device which denotes who is the dealer for this particular hand. The importance of this button is that the one who holds it will be the last to act for this game.

Another Poker term related to position are the big blinds and small blinds. Unlike 7 Card Stud, there are no antes in Holdem games. In their place is the small blind which is a forced bet, and the big blind, another forced bet twice the amount of the small blind. As with the dealer button, the blinds also rotate.

The flop refers to the three community cards that are laid down on the table. After the initial betting in a Texas Holdem game, these three cards are turned up at the same time. Together with the fourth (the turn) and fifth card (the river), the players must combine their two cards with any three on the table to win.

Busted out is a Poker term used to denote someone who has lost all their chips. Usually it is applied in tournament play, but it can also be used in cash games. Another term related to tournament play is short stacked, which refers to the player with the smallest number of chips.

When you watch Poker on TV, you will often hear the announcers refer to cards in particular ways. Some of the most include the following.

"Big Slick" refers to AK; pocket AAs are called pocket rockets; a pair of Queens are called ladies, and the 22 are called deuces or ducks.

A bad beat denotes a particularly tough loss. For example, it can happen when a player holding a straight loses out to someone who also hits the flush on the same hand. Or it could happen when someone flops a a full house but gets trounced by a four of a kind.

These bad beats can often lead to a tilt. In Poker terms, a player that goes on tilt refers to someone who is no longer making the right decisions, and basing his actions and bets with his emotions. This is a situation that all players must seek to avoid.

A runner runner situation is one wherein the player makes his or her hand by hitting on the turn and river. For example, a player with 7s8s with a board of Ks-Jc-4h-8s-As has won the hand via a runner runner backdoor flush.

The more Poker terms you learn, the easier you will find it understand the game. So take the time to comprehend the language and you will profit from it immensely