Basic Poker Terms:
When a player enters a No-Limit Holdem game, they encounter a lot of words that are used and should be understood before playing. This section will explain some common high-frequency words used in poker: Dealer, Card Names, Option, Blinds, Post, Small Blind, Big Blind, Re-raise, Action, Check, Raise, Fold, Straddle, Pot, Pot Average, Pot Odds, Outs, Position Bet and Bluff. Also, if there is something you would like explained that is not here, please contact us on inpoker@mail.com and we will gladly put the information up.
The dealer: refers to the person dealing the cards. If you are the dealer, then you will deal (give) two cards to each player starting with the player to your left.
The card names: The two cards dealt face down to each player are that player's pocket cards.The first 3 community cards dealt face up are called the flop, which is dealt after a 'dead card' called a burn card. After the flop, the dealer will 'burn' another card and then players' will see the turn (the fourth card), then another burn card. The last called is called the river card.
The option: refers to the chance to raise given to the big blind after the other players have called or folded. This is only said if no players have raised the big blind.
The blinds: in Hold'em their are two blinds. One is called the small blind (which is half of the big blind), and the other is called the big blind. Blinds make up the minimum bet to play a round of Hold'em and aim at committing people to play. For example, if the small blind is $1, than the big blind would be $2- this is a common figure for friendly cash games at home or casinos. Also, in terms of the sitting arrangement the small blind is the first person next to the dealer (on the left) and the big blind is to the left of the small blind. When you are playing a game, you might here the word 'post'; this simply means that you have to put your blind in. For example, you might here this- you " haven't posted your blind"- a common expression used in the game which is just informing you to put in either your small or big blind depending on which one you are. "Post" can also refer to a mandatory big blind paid by a player joining a cash game that is already in progress. Common practice is that when a player sits down at a table, and plays their first hand, they have to "post" a big blind, regardless of where they are sitting.
Action: Action, refers to the choice to fold, check, bet, or raise and is usually used to indicate whose turn it is to make a move. For example, if it is the dealers turn to move, people could say, "Action to the dealer" or "Action is on the dealer".
Check: this means you don't want to bet (raise) or fold. This action shows that you want to see the next card, or will wait to see what other players' do. In a game, quite often a player will knock the table or tap the table with their hand in a similar manner that people signal a "hit" when playing blackjack, this signals other players' that you have checked. Note: If you have checked, and then decide to raise, the option to raise will be forfeited (meaning you won't be allowed to go ahead with your raise). Also, if you say 'check' and then 'raise' straight after, it will be considered bad poker etiquette.
Raise: this term describes the action of a player wanting to increase a bet that has been made by another player. All raises must be at least equal to the amount of the previous bet. If someone has raised, and you want to raise again, then this is called a re-raise and you have to at least double the bet of the initial raise.
Fold: this action shows that a player does not want to play that hand. A fold can take place any part of the game. Usually etiquette is to slide your cards towards the middle of the table. In this situation, new players' should be careful where they put their cards as other players' may consider that they have folded. If this isn't the case, it could stir an argument.
Straddle: Straddling is something of an optional third blind. It can be placed by the person sitting to the left of the big blind and is done by placing a bet equal to double the big blind. A straddle can only be made by a player that has not yet seen their cards. If a player straddles, the player moving next can also double straddle, which would be equal to quadruple the big blind. People can continue to straddle in this manner all the way back to the small blind. Though anything bigger than a double-straddle is quite rare. Why would someone want to straddle then? Well, there are a few advantages to straddling. First off, the straddler gets to move last, effectively taking away the final option normally given to the big blind. In addition, the straddle is like a raise that gives the other players no read on the straddler since it was done before the player saw their cards. Straddling usually increases the action before the flop and can give the straddler more of a read on the other players, since they must now call double the big blind in order to play the hand.
Pot: This describes the total amount of money that has been bet in the current hand. If someone makes a 'pot bet' then they are making a bet equal to the value of the pot.
Pot Odds: Pot Odds deals with ratios and statistical betting. Pot odds are the ratio between the amount of money in the pot and the amount of money that must be called to remain in the hand. For example if there is a $20 pot, and you must call $5 to continue the hand, then you are getting 4:1 pot odds. Pot odds should be considered whenever a player is decided whether or not to call a bet. In general, you should consider whether or not the pot odds are better than your perceived chance to win the hand. For example, if there is $100 in the pot, and you must call a $10 bet after the flop, you're getting 10:1 odds on that call. If you're chasing a flush and only need one more suited card to make that flush, your odds of getting that card are better than the pot odds of the $10 you need to call. Even if you lose the hand, making calls based on pot odds will average out in the long run to make a net profit.
Outs: if someone says in poker that 'they have outs', this means they haven't won the hand yet, but there are some other cards that can make them a winning hand. Usually this happens in situations where a player is looking to make a flush or straight (quite often, the player can be looking for both). And, that is why they are calling raises or checking. Basically, your outs are any cards that can make you a winning hand. If you have two pair, Aces and Kings, against another player's flush, then you have only have 4 outs, the two remaining aces and two remaining kings, because they are the only cards that can make you a winning hand over the flush.
Position Bet: this is a strategy used when all players' have checked and the last person makes a bet, called a 'position bet'. This means they are betting based on their position at the table. Quite often, if someone makes a position bet, they are betting that other players' don't have anything (even if they don't). The object here is just to take the chips that are already in the pot.
Bluff or Bluffing: this describes the situation when a player makes a bet, knowing or thinking that they do not have the winning hand themselves. The object is simple, bet enough to make the other players fold and take the pot. When a player knows their hand is losing, the only way to win is to bluff.
The dealer: refers to the person dealing the cards. If you are the dealer, then you will deal (give) two cards to each player starting with the player to your left.
The card names: The two cards dealt face down to each player are that player's pocket cards.The first 3 community cards dealt face up are called the flop, which is dealt after a 'dead card' called a burn card. After the flop, the dealer will 'burn' another card and then players' will see the turn (the fourth card), then another burn card. The last called is called the river card.
The option: refers to the chance to raise given to the big blind after the other players have called or folded. This is only said if no players have raised the big blind.
The blinds: in Hold'em their are two blinds. One is called the small blind (which is half of the big blind), and the other is called the big blind. Blinds make up the minimum bet to play a round of Hold'em and aim at committing people to play. For example, if the small blind is $1, than the big blind would be $2- this is a common figure for friendly cash games at home or casinos. Also, in terms of the sitting arrangement the small blind is the first person next to the dealer (on the left) and the big blind is to the left of the small blind. When you are playing a game, you might here the word 'post'; this simply means that you have to put your blind in. For example, you might here this- you " haven't posted your blind"- a common expression used in the game which is just informing you to put in either your small or big blind depending on which one you are. "Post" can also refer to a mandatory big blind paid by a player joining a cash game that is already in progress. Common practice is that when a player sits down at a table, and plays their first hand, they have to "post" a big blind, regardless of where they are sitting.
Action: Action, refers to the choice to fold, check, bet, or raise and is usually used to indicate whose turn it is to make a move. For example, if it is the dealers turn to move, people could say, "Action to the dealer" or "Action is on the dealer".
Check: this means you don't want to bet (raise) or fold. This action shows that you want to see the next card, or will wait to see what other players' do. In a game, quite often a player will knock the table or tap the table with their hand in a similar manner that people signal a "hit" when playing blackjack, this signals other players' that you have checked. Note: If you have checked, and then decide to raise, the option to raise will be forfeited (meaning you won't be allowed to go ahead with your raise). Also, if you say 'check' and then 'raise' straight after, it will be considered bad poker etiquette.
Raise: this term describes the action of a player wanting to increase a bet that has been made by another player. All raises must be at least equal to the amount of the previous bet. If someone has raised, and you want to raise again, then this is called a re-raise and you have to at least double the bet of the initial raise.
Fold: this action shows that a player does not want to play that hand. A fold can take place any part of the game. Usually etiquette is to slide your cards towards the middle of the table. In this situation, new players' should be careful where they put their cards as other players' may consider that they have folded. If this isn't the case, it could stir an argument.
Straddle: Straddling is something of an optional third blind. It can be placed by the person sitting to the left of the big blind and is done by placing a bet equal to double the big blind. A straddle can only be made by a player that has not yet seen their cards. If a player straddles, the player moving next can also double straddle, which would be equal to quadruple the big blind. People can continue to straddle in this manner all the way back to the small blind. Though anything bigger than a double-straddle is quite rare. Why would someone want to straddle then? Well, there are a few advantages to straddling. First off, the straddler gets to move last, effectively taking away the final option normally given to the big blind. In addition, the straddle is like a raise that gives the other players no read on the straddler since it was done before the player saw their cards. Straddling usually increases the action before the flop and can give the straddler more of a read on the other players, since they must now call double the big blind in order to play the hand.
Pot: This describes the total amount of money that has been bet in the current hand. If someone makes a 'pot bet' then they are making a bet equal to the value of the pot.
Pot Odds: Pot Odds deals with ratios and statistical betting. Pot odds are the ratio between the amount of money in the pot and the amount of money that must be called to remain in the hand. For example if there is a $20 pot, and you must call $5 to continue the hand, then you are getting 4:1 pot odds. Pot odds should be considered whenever a player is decided whether or not to call a bet. In general, you should consider whether or not the pot odds are better than your perceived chance to win the hand. For example, if there is $100 in the pot, and you must call a $10 bet after the flop, you're getting 10:1 odds on that call. If you're chasing a flush and only need one more suited card to make that flush, your odds of getting that card are better than the pot odds of the $10 you need to call. Even if you lose the hand, making calls based on pot odds will average out in the long run to make a net profit.
Outs: if someone says in poker that 'they have outs', this means they haven't won the hand yet, but there are some other cards that can make them a winning hand. Usually this happens in situations where a player is looking to make a flush or straight (quite often, the player can be looking for both). And, that is why they are calling raises or checking. Basically, your outs are any cards that can make you a winning hand. If you have two pair, Aces and Kings, against another player's flush, then you have only have 4 outs, the two remaining aces and two remaining kings, because they are the only cards that can make you a winning hand over the flush.
Position Bet: this is a strategy used when all players' have checked and the last person makes a bet, called a 'position bet'. This means they are betting based on their position at the table. Quite often, if someone makes a position bet, they are betting that other players' don't have anything (even if they don't). The object here is just to take the chips that are already in the pot.
Bluff or Bluffing: this describes the situation when a player makes a bet, knowing or thinking that they do not have the winning hand themselves. The object is simple, bet enough to make the other players fold and take the pot. When a player knows their hand is losing, the only way to win is to bluff.
Advanced Poker Terms:
1. IO (Implied Odds): The expected number of bets that you can win on future streets. This is based on the assumption that your hands will improve over time.
2. RIO (Reverse Implied Odds); The expected number of bets that you could to lose on future streets; on the assumption that your opponents hand improves.
3. FE (Folding Equity): This refers to the amount of equity that you anticipate is needed to make the villain fold your bet.
4. RFE (Reverse Folding Equity): This is simply the equity that you fold when a villain raises against you.
5. IFE (Implied Folding Equity): This is the same as FE, but is based on future steets.
6. RIFE (Reverse Implied Folding Equity): This is simply the average equity you will fold on future streets.
2. RIO (Reverse Implied Odds); The expected number of bets that you could to lose on future streets; on the assumption that your opponents hand improves.
3. FE (Folding Equity): This refers to the amount of equity that you anticipate is needed to make the villain fold your bet.
4. RFE (Reverse Folding Equity): This is simply the equity that you fold when a villain raises against you.
5. IFE (Implied Folding Equity): This is the same as FE, but is based on future steets.
6. RIFE (Reverse Implied Folding Equity): This is simply the average equity you will fold on future streets.
