A – Basic Poker Actions
All-In
Betting all remaining chips. A player who goes all-in cannot be forced out of the hand and can only win the portion of the pot they contributed (side pots are created).
Ante
A forced bet that every player must contribute before the hand begins. Common in tournaments to encourage action as blinds increase.
Bad Beat
Losing a hand when you were a significant statistical favorite, often on the river. Example: losing with pocket aces against pocket kings when a king hits on the river.
Bet
To wager chips when no bet has been made in the current betting round. The first voluntary wager in a round.
Blinds
Forced bets placed by the two players to the left of the button before cards are dealt. Small blind (half minimum bet) and big blind (minimum bet). Learn more about blinds →
Bluff
Betting or raising with a weak hand to make opponents fold stronger hands. Successful bluffing requires position, board texture, and opponent tendencies. Master bluffing strategy →
Board
The five community cards in Texas Hold'em and Omaha. Cards are revealed in stages: flop (3 cards), turn (1 card), river (1 card).
Button (BTN)
The dealer position. The best position in poker — acts last in all betting rounds except pre-flop. Provides maximum information advantage. Learn position strategy →
C – Betting Actions & Strategy
Call
Matching the current bet to stay in the hand. You call when you want to see the next card without raising.
Check
Passing the action when no bet has been made. You check to see the next card for free.
Check-Raise
Checking initially, then raising after an opponent bets. A powerful tactic to build pots with strong hands or represent strength.
Continuation Bet (C-Bet)
Betting on the flop after raising pre-flop. A standard strategy to maintain aggression and win pots without showdown.
Cutoff (CO)
The position immediately to the right of the button. Second-best position in poker, allowing effective blind stealing and positional advantage.
F – Advanced Strategy Concepts
Flop
The first three community cards dealt face up. The first betting round after the pre-flop.
Fold
Discarding your hand and forfeiting any chance to win the current pot. The most common action in poker.
Full House
Three of a kind combined with a pair. Example: K♠K♥K♣2♠2♦. See all hand rankings →
Game Theory Optimal (GTO)
A theoretically balanced playing strategy that cannot be exploited by opponents. GTO players mix bluffs and value bets in mathematically correct ratios.
H – Hand & Tournament Concepts
Hijack (HJ)
The position two seats to the right of the button. A profitable position for opening raises and stealing blinds.
Hole Cards
The private cards dealt face down to each player. In Texas Hold'em, you receive 2 hole cards. In Omaha, 4 hole cards.
ICM (Independent Chip Model)
A mathematical model that converts tournament chip stacks into real-money equity. Critical near the bubble and final table. Learn advanced ICM strategy →
Kicker
The unpaired card that determines the winner when players have the same hand ranking. Example: A♥K♠ vs A♥Q♣ — King kicker wins.
M – Position & Math
Middle Position (MP)
Positions between UTG and hijack. Players in MP have some information but are still vulnerable to late position aggression.
Multi-Table Tournament (MTT)
A tournament with many players across multiple tables. Top finishers win cash prizes. MTTs require endurance and tournament-specific strategy. Learn MTT strategy →
Omaha
A poker variant where players receive 4 hole cards and must use exactly 2 with 3 community cards. Higher variance than Hold'em. Learn Omaha rules →
Pot Odds
The ratio of the current pot size to the cost of calling a bet. Used to determine if a call is profitable based on equity. Learn pot odds calculation →
R – Betting Rounds & Results
Rake
The fee taken by the poker room from each cash game pot (typically 2.5-5%). Rakeback programs return a percentage to players.
Range
The set of hands a player could have in a given situation. Advanced players think in ranges, not specific hands.
Raise
Increasing the current bet, forcing opponents to call the higher amount or fold.
River
The fifth and final community card. Final betting round before showdown.
Royal Flush
The best possible poker hand: A-K-Q-J-10 all of the same suit. See all hand rankings →
S – Tournament Formats
Satellite
A qualifying tournament where winners receive entry into a larger event. Satellite strategy focuses on survival, not chip accumulation. Learn satellite strategy →
Showdown
When all betting rounds are complete and remaining players reveal their hands to determine the winner.
Sit & Go (SNG)
A tournament that starts when enough players register (usually 6, 9, or 18 players). Shorter format than MTTs.
Straight Flush
Five consecutive cards of the same suit. Example: 9♥8♥7♥6♥5♥. Second-best hand after royal flush.
T – Texas Hold'em Positions
Texas Hold'em
The most popular poker variant. Each player gets 2 hole cards and uses 5 community cards to make the best 5-card hand. Learn Texas Hold'em rules →
Three-Bet (3-Bet)
The third bet in a betting round (raise after a raise). Common pre-flop to isolate or show strength.
Turn
The fourth community card. Third betting round after the flop.
Under the Gun (UTG)
The position immediately to the left of the big blind. The first to act pre-flop — most challenging position with no information.
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