Reference

Poker Glossary

Every poker term defined in plain English — with examples and links to related concepts.

3-Bet

A re-raise made after someone has already raised — the third bet in the pre-flop betting sequence

preflop
4-Bet

A re-raise of a 3-bet — the fourth bet in the pre-flop sequence, almost always representing an extremely strong hand

preflop
Big Blind

A forced bet posted by the player two seats left of the dealer before any cards are dealt

preflop
Button

The dealer position, marked by a small disk — the best seat at the table because you act last on every post-flop street

preflop
C-Bet

A bet made on the flop by the player who raised pre-flop — short for 'continuation bet'

postflop
Check-Raise

Checking when it's your turn to act, then raising after your opponent bets — a deceptive move used to build pots or defend against aggression

postflop
Cutoff

The seat directly to the right of the button — the second-best position at the table, abbreviated CO

preflop
Equity

Your percentage chance of winning the pot if all cards are dealt out — your mathematical 'share' of the pot

math
Flop

The three community cards dealt face-up after pre-flop betting — the second stage of a Texas Hold'em hand

general
Hijack

The seat two to the right of the button — a middle-late position, abbreviated HJ

preflop
Implied Odds

The potential future winnings you expect to earn if you hit your draw — used to justify calls that don't have immediate pot odds

math
Outs

The number of unseen cards that would improve your hand to (likely) the best hand

math
Position

Where you sit relative to the dealer button — acting later than your opponents is a major strategic advantage in poker

preflop
Pot Odds

The ratio of the current pot size to the cost of a call — used to decide if calling a bet is mathematically profitable.

math
Pre-Flop

The first betting round in Texas Hold'em, before any community cards are dealt

general
River

The fifth and final community card in Texas Hold'em — the last chance to bet before the showdown

general
Rule of 2 and 4

A quick mental shortcut to estimate your equity: multiply your outs by 4 on the flop, or by 2 on the turn

math
Showdown

The point at the end of a hand when remaining players reveal their cards to determine who wins the pot

general
Small Blind

A forced half-bet posted by the player one seat left of the dealer before any cards are dealt

preflop
Turn

The fourth community card dealt face-up — the third betting round in Texas Hold'em, also called 'fourth street'

general
Under the Gun

The player who acts first before the flop — the seat immediately to the left of the big blind, abbreviated UTG

preflop