In order to become a better poker player, it is important to understand some of the basics of poker language.  The following guide will help explain some key terms.

Hand:  Five cards; collected by each player from pocket and community cards

All-in:  Betting all of a player’s chips

Ante:  A nominal bet that all players are required to make before cards are dealt

Big blind:  A bet required of the second player to the left of the dealer; amount dependent on game’s stakes

Buy-in:  Minimum amount of money needed to join a game

Call:  To place the minimum bet needed to stay in a game

Check:  To pass on placing a bet

Community cards:  The five cards dealt in the middle of the gaming table; available for all players to use to make a hand

Flop:  First three community cards dealt to the table; revealed at the same time

Fold:  To give up a hand and surrender any money bet so far

Pocket cards:  The two cards dealt to each player at the table

Raise:  To bet more than the minimum required to continue play; forces remaining players to put more money into the pot

River card:  Last community card revealed to the table; revealed individually after a round of betting

See:  To match another player’s bet in order to continue playing a hand

Small blind:  A bet required of the player to the immediate left of the dealer; amount dependent on game’s stakes

Turn card:  Fourth community card dealt to the table; revealed individually after a round of betting

Mar 07 2010