Texas Holdem Poker Terminology

Texas Holdem Poker has become an extremely popular game.  More poker players are choosing to play online poker from the comfort of their own homes.  Not only can they play on multiple tables and make more money faster but they also don’t have to travel to enjoy their passion for poker.

The following is basic poker terminology for Texas Holdem Poker that all poker players need to be familiar with:

1.  1. Small Blind - The first bet posted by the player to the Dealer's left. It is a forced bet. The small blind bet amount is equal to half of the lower bet. For example, in a $10 - $20 game, the small blind is $5.

2.       Big Blind: The first bet posted by the player to the left of the player who posts the small blind. It is a forced bet. The big blind bet amount is equal to the lower bet. For example, in a $10 - $20 game, the big blind is $10.

3.  Hole Cards: The first two cards dealt to you in Texas Hold'Em.

4.  Buy-In: The amount of money required to play in a game of poker. For example, if a tournament is $3 + 50c, the amount of money required to play in the poker tournament is $3.50.

5.       Flop: The first three community cards dealt to the table. All three are shown at once and are used by all of the poker players at the table.

6.       Turn:  The fourth community card dealt to the table.  This is also be known as fourth street

7.       River: The fifth and final community card dealt to the table.  This is also known as fifth street.

8.       Pot:  All the money that has been bet on the hand.  This sits in the centre of the table and is paid to the winner of the poker hand.

9.       Rake: A commission taken by the online poker room/live table for its services.  The rake is taken out of a winning hand.

10.   Call: To match a bet made by a previous bet by a poker player.  For example if a poker player bets $10 then you call by betting $10 to match it. 

11.   Limp: Calling the big blind rather than raising.

12. Raise: When a poker player increases the bet made by a preceding player. This increases the stakes for remaining Players, who now have to match the total amount including the raise.

13. All-In: When a poker player bets all of their chips in the belief that they have the winning hand or when they do not have enough money to cover a bet made by another poker player.

14. Check: When a poker players wants to stay in the hand but not place a bet.    You can only check if no other bets have been placed in the betting round.

15. Check-raise: When the poker player checks at the beginning of a betting round and then raises when a player to their left bets.

16. Fold: A poker player who has given up on their hand.  Their hole cards are thrown into the middle and any money entered into the pot is lost.

19. Under the Gun: The first player to act just after the big blind.

20. Nuts: When a player has the best possible hand which cannot be beaten.

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