When people play poker for the first time, they might well feel that there is a whole new language to learn. It doesn’t take too long to get to grips with the terms that are used, though.
Online poker has come a long way. What started as a niche part of the internet has turned into a massive digital arena where players from around the world compete daily. Some people play casual games regularly and some just play an occasional game – poker is no longer just something found in specific poker rooms or in person. It’s now a global pastime, and people only need an internet connection.
As the popularity of online poker has exploded, so has the language that comes with it. New players entering the scene are often met with a flurry of unfamiliar terms. Some are borrowed from historic poker, but others have been born online. Understanding this lingo isn’t just helpful; it’s essential for keeping up with the game and communicating with others at the virtual felt.
In this guide is a breakdown of some of the most common online poker terminology. Whether it’s shorthand used in chats or technical terms from gameplay, they all form the vocabulary of the modern poker table.
People who play real money poker know that there are a few different game types that they might need to learn about.
Sit & Go – A small tournament that starts as soon as all seats are filled. Fast and popular for mobile play.
MTT (Multi-Table Tournament) – Tournaments involving many tables and players. These can last hours and involve big swings.
Cash Games – Standard games where chips represent actual money. Players can join or leave anytime.
Basic Poker Terms
There are a few very basic terms that people need to get used to if they are going to play the game (and understand strategies and what is happening around them).
Blinds – These are the forced bets that players must make before the cards are dealt. Usually, two players post the small blind and big blind to get the action going. Blinds are found in lots of different varieties and throughout the history of poker. In online poker the blinds rotate clockwise around the table after each hand.
Flop, Turn, River – These refer to the community cards dealt in stages in games like Texas Hold’em. The flop is the first three cards, the turn is the fourth, and the river is the final one.
Hole Cards – The two private cards each player receives in Hold’em. These are not shared and form the base of the player’s strategy. They are not the same as the community cards as these are shared by all players.
Pot – The total amount of chips or money in the middle of the table. This is what everyone’s trying to win in a cash game.
Betting and Strategy Terms
The way that people bet in the game is also something where a little language has broken out!
Check – Choosing not to bet while still remaining in the hand. Only possible if no one has bet before during that round.
Call – Matching the current highest bet to stay in the hand.
Raise – Increasing the size of the bet. Often used to apply pressure or signal strength.
Fold – Throwing away cards and ending participation in the hand. Sometimes the best move is to walk away.
Slow Play – Playing a strong hand weakly to lure opponents into betting more. It’s a sneaky tactic, and when it works, it’s satisfying.
All-In – Betting all the remaining chips. It’s a bold move, sometimes risky, sometimes brilliant.
Bluff – Pretending to have a strong hand when actually holding nothing much. Bluffing adds drama and unpredictability. Merriam-Webster says that this term was first used as early as the 1600s. It is a huge part of poker and is considered one of the key skills:
Online-Specific Jargon
This post is about online poker and there are some specific terms that have cropped up to focus on online play.
Fish – A term for inexperienced or poor players. It’s not the kindest term, but it’s commonly used in chats and forums.
Shark – The opposite of a fish. A skilled, aggressive player who knows exactly what they’re doing.
Tilt – A mental state where a player becomes emotional or frustrated and starts making poor decisions. Often caused by a bad beat or a losing streak.
Bad Beat – Losing a hand despite being the favorite. Usually happens when an opponent hits a lucky card at the end.
Multi-Tabling – Playing several games at once. Online poker makes this possible, and some players handle multiple tables with ease.
These are some of the key terms that people should understand if they are going to play competitively and try to win when playing poker. They also help when doing research about the game itself.