|
Maniac |
A player who plays a lot of hands, sometimes very aggressively, either
because he is a poor player (a gambler) or because he wants to intimidate others. In the latter case, the
player might eventually revert to a calmer game. |
| Middle Position |
To be in midway between early and late positions. This is where you can
begin to look at more playable than
and where you have to be aware that players to act (in late position) could
raise because they have good hands for because they have better position and can make you think they have
a strong hand by virtue of where they are seated. Mastering middle-position play is crucial to becoming
a good hold'em player. |
| Muck |
The folded and burned cards that are no longer in play. As a verb it means
to throw your hand away or fold. |
| Nit |
To play cautiously. A term often used negatively about a player who doesn't like to gamble or take chances.
A Rock of Gibraltar. |
| No-Limit |
A version of poker that allows a player to bet any amount of money he has on the table when it's his turn.
Major tournament championships such as the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour are no-limit. |
| Nuts |
The best possible hand, one that can't be beaten, also known as a lock or a cinch. |
| Oldsmobile |
  The slang term for a 9-8, named after the Oldsmobile model 98. |
| On the Button |
The "dealers" position. The last position to act in each betting round
after the flop. |
| Open Ended Straight Draw |
A hand that can become a straight if the higher or lower card hits. For example, if you have 6-7-8-9 the 5 or
the 10 can complete the straight because your draw is open on both ends. |
| Outs |
The number of cards that can complete your hand. For example, if you have an open-ended straight draw
consisting of 6-7-8-9, you have eight outs (the 4 fives and the 4 tens) that can complete your straight.
|
| Overcard |
A card higher than any other card that's showing on the board. For example, if you have K-2 and the flop
comes 10-7-3, you don't have a pair, but you have the overcard
(king). |
| Overpair |
A pocket or wired pair higher than any card on the flop. |
| Pair |
 Two like cards such as two deuces or two
nines. |
| Pass |
Another term for fold. |
| Passive Player |
(1) A player who does little or no raising, generally calling even when
holding strength. In the negative sense, this player is referred to as a "calling station."
(2) A rock who
doesn't act until he has what he considers his best chance of winning the pot. (Probably a rarely used
definition.) |
| Pay Off |
Calling a bet knowing you probably won't win, usually when you have a strong
hand but you're certain your
opponent has a better hand. Many players will forego the final (payoff) bet
in an effort to save money. |
| Play the Board |
Using all the cards on the board as your hand and neither of your hole
cards, done when the board shows a
better hand than you can make with your cards. |
| Pocket |
Your hole cards. Pocket kings, for example, means you have a pair of kings
in your hand. |
| Pocket Rockets |
  The (usually) affectionate slang term for a pair of aces in the hole. Also
often referred to as American Airlines (AA). |
| Position |
Where you are seated with regard to the betting. The "dealer" or "button" is
the best position (late) because he doesn't have to bet until everyone else has acted. The blinds are in the
worst position (early) because they have to bet first without seeing a card or any bets. |
| Posting |
To put in a bet, usually used in reference to the blinds. Also, for example,
you may be required to post a blind if you change seats at the table in a way that moves you away from the
blinds. |
| Pot Limit |
A poker game that allows a player to bet up to the amount of money in the
pot. |
| Pot Odds |
The amount of money in the pot in relation to the amount you must put in the
pot to continue. |
| Quads |
 Four of a kind. |
| Rags |
Small, unplayable "useless" cards. In your hand, a 2-9 would be considered
rags. On the board, any cards that don't improve a hand. The latter is also referred to as "Ragged." |
| Railbird |
A player who watches the game from "the rail." In live action, this is often
a derogatory term for players who have lost their money and have to stand at the rail instead of playing. It's
also used to identify people who kibbitz. |
| Rainbow |
Three different suits on the flop or a complete five card board that has no
more than two of any suit and therefore possibility of a flush. (A hand that usually doesn't have a pot of
gold at the end of it for someone holding two suited hole cards.) |
| Raise |
To bet more chips or money than the last bettor. |
| Rake |
An amount of money taken out of the pot by the dealer so the house can make
money. Usually it's a percentage of the pot, often with a limit as to how much it can be. Players
should always check the rake to make sure it isn't excessive because it's money out of their winnings that
pays this fee and if it's too high, a player can't make a profit in the long term. |
| Rank |
The numerical value of a card. The highest ranking card is the ace while the
lowest rank is a deuce The ace is also the lowest rank when used in a straight (as in A-2-3-4-5). |
| Rap |
To check, usually indicated a check in live action by rapping or knocking
the table with your knuckles. |
| Rebuy |
In a tournament, to purchase additional chips after you've lost most or all
of yours. Rebuy tournaments allow more prize money and rebuys are usually not allowed after a certain period
of time in the tournament. |
| Represent |
The act of playing a hand as if it's something it isn't. For instance, if
there's an ace on the board and everyone checks, you might bet to represent that you have an ace when you
really don't. |
| Reraise |
To raise after another player has already raised. In many games the number
of raises allowed is limited to three if more than two players are in action. If only two players remain,
raising usually has no cap. |
| Ring Game |
A live-action poker game as opposed to a tournament. |
| River |
The fifth and last card, put out face up, by itself. Also known as "fifth
street". |
| Rock |
A tight player who plays very few hands and rarely deviates from published
or recommended strategies. |
| Rockets |
Aces. |
| Rounder |
A professional player who makes his living traveling around a playing poker,
sometimes used negatively. |
| Runner Runner |
A good made only catching perfect (needed) cards on both the turn and the
river. |
| Rush |
A winning streak; making several winning hands in a row. |
