Poker Technical Terms

Here is a little list of poker terms I've put together to help clear up any confusion in "terms used" around the poker table. These definitions have stood the test of time and are very clear in their meaning.

POKER TECHNICAL TERMS

AGE: The player at the immediate left of the dealer, sometimes known as the eldest.

ANTE: Amount put into the pool or pot by each player who may decide to come-in after he has examined his original hand. The ante is always twice the amount of the blind. If the ante is straddled, the ante is twice the amount of the last straddle, but must not exceed the betting limit.

BLIND: Amount put up by the age before the deal.

BLUFF: To bet a inferior hand as though it were a superior hand.

CALL: Putting up a sum equal to the largest amount put up by the preceding player.

CHIPS: The counters or tokens for which the game is played.

COMING IN: Putting up the ante and straddles and raises, if any, in order to draw cards and play for the pot.
DRAW: Discarding one or more cards and receiving a equal number from the dealer.

FOUL HAND: A hand containing more or less than five cards, or obtained irregularly.

GOING BETTER: Betting more than the highest previous bet, raising.
GOING IN: Same as coming in.

IN THE POT: A player who has made good the ante and all previous bets, is said to be in the pot.

LIMIT: The agreed amount of any single bet or raise.

MAKING GOOD: Putting up a sum equal to the largest amount previously bet. (note) any player may in turn make-good, but only the last player to say may call.

ORIGINAL HAND: The five cards originally dealt to the player.

PAT HAND: An original hand not likely to be improved by drawing. For instance a straight or a full hand.

PASS: Throwing down one’s hand and retiring from the hand or game for that deal.

POT: The pool.

RAISE: The same as going better.

SAY: The time for a player to make good, raise or pass.

SEE: Synonymous with making good.
STAY: The same as coming in.
STRADDLE: To double the blind. Only the player to the left of the age may straddle, but the next player may straddle the straddle, and so on with the agreed limit.

ROYAL FLUSH: A straight flush, ace high.

STRAIGHT FLUSH: Five cards of the same suit in sequence.

FOURS: Four of the five cards of the same denomination.

THREES: Three cards of the same denomination and two odd cards.

FULL: Three cards of the same denomination and a pair.

FLUSH: Five cards of the same suit.

STRAIGHT: Five cards in sequence, but not of one suit.

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