Poker Terms Glossary
20+ essential poker terms explained simply. From bluffing and position to rake and ICM, we break down the language of Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and tournament poker. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, understanding these terms helps you make better decisions at the tables. All definitions verified by our team of experts.
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🃏 COMPLETE POKER GUIDE →Poker Terms Definitions
Bluff
Betting aggressively with a weak hand to make opponents fold. Requires reading opponents and telling a consistent story. Bluffing guide →
Position
Where you sit relative to dealer. Late position (acting last) is advantageous. Early position (acting first) is disadvantageous. Position strategy →
Rake
Casino commission from each pot, typically 5-10% capped. Lower rake means better value. Learn more →
Blinds
Forced bets posted before cards are dealt. Small blind left of dealer, big blind (double) left of small blind. Create action.
Ante
Small forced bet all players post before each hand. Common in tournaments and Stud games. Increases pot sizes.
Tilt
Emotional frustration leading to poor play after bad beats. Managing tilt is crucial for long-term success.
Outs
Cards that improve your hand to winner. Four hearts = nine outs. Used to calculate pot odds. Outs calculator →
Pot Odds
Compare pot size to call cost. $100 pot, $20 call = 5:1 odds. Compare to winning chances for profitable calls. Pot odds tool →
Expected Value (EV)
Average amount you expect to win/lose on a decision. +EV moves profitable long-term. All winners focus on +EV.
Tell
Physical or behavioral clue about opponent's hand strength. Online poker uses betting patterns as tells.
Bad Beat
Strong hand loses to unlikely draw. Example: AA loses to 72o when 72 hits straight. Bad beat jackpots reward such losses.
Continuation Bet (C-Bet)
Preflop raiser bets again on flop, regardless of improvement. Standard aggression strategy.
Check-Raise
Checking with intention of raising after opponent bets. Builds pots with strong hands or bluffs.
Float
Calling a bet with weak hand planning to bluff later if opponent shows weakness. Advanced play.
Squeeze Play
Large raise after one raiser and multiple callers, forcing everyone to fold. Effective in tournaments.
Satellite Tournament
Tournaments awarding entries into larger events instead of cash. Popular for WSOP qualifying. Satellite strategy →
ICM (Independent Chip Model)
Calculates tournament prize pool equity based on chip stacks. Critical for final table decisions. ICM calculator →
Bounty Tournament
Tournaments awarding cash for eliminating players. Creates aggressive play.
GTO (Game Theory Optimal)
Balanced, unexploitable strategy that can't be countered. Modern solvers find GTO solutions.
Cooler
Two strong hands collide (e.g., KK vs AA preflop). Unavoidable situation despite correct play.
About the Experts
Sarah Roberts
Strategy Analyst · 8 yrs pro poker
Card counter, tournament winner
Michael Johnson
Lead Reviewer · 12 yrs casino ops
Ex-Shift Manager, Borgata AC
Kevin Lee
Sportsbook Analyst · 6 yrs
Former odds compiler
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bluff in poker?
Bluffing means betting aggressively with a weak hand to make opponents fold. Successful bluffing requires reading opponents, understanding board texture, and telling a consistent story with your betting. Bluffing guide →
What is position in poker?
Position refers to where you sit relative to the dealer. Late position (acting last) is advantageous – you see what others do before deciding. Early position (acting first) is disadvantageous. The button is the most powerful position. Position strategy →
What is rake in poker?
Rake is the commission the casino takes from each pot, typically 5-10% capped at a certain amount. In tournaments, rake is included in the buy-in fee. Lower rake means better value for players. Learn more →
What are blinds in poker?
Blinds are forced bets posted before cards are dealt to create action. Small blind is posted by player left of dealer, big blind (usually double) by player left of small blind. Only in Hold'em and Omaha.
What are outs in poker?
Outs are cards that can improve your hand to a winner. If you have four hearts, nine remaining hearts are your outs. Calculating outs helps determine pot odds and whether to call. Pot odds calculator →
What is ICM in poker?
ICM (Independent Chip Model) calculates tournament prize pool equity based on chip stacks. Critical for final table decisions where cash jumps matter more than chips. ICM calculator →
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