List of Poker Terms & Definitions

Poker lingo refers to the special words and phrases used when playing poker. Think of it as the "slang" of the game. Players use these terms to talk about the cards, the stakes (bets), other players, and how they plan to win.

In poker, a straddle is like an optional extra bet. The player sitting to the left of the big blind can make this bet before any cards are dealt. Usually, a straddle is twice the size of the big blind. This can shake things up because the straddler gets to act last before the flop (the first three community cards are revealed).

Equity in poker is essentially your share of the pot based on your chances of winning. It's the percentage of the pot you can expect to win in the long run, considering your hand and the cards that are still to come. Think of it like calculating your chances of winning a bet based on the cards you have and what's left to come - a bit like predicting the outcome of a football match based on team form.

ICM, or Independent Chip Model, is a way to figure out how much your chips are actually worth in a poker tournament. It takes into account the prize pool and the number of players still in the game. Using ICM can help you decide the best way to play, based on how many chips you have and where you are in the tournament. It helps players decide if they should hold their chips or risk them to win more.

The 10 types of poker hands, from best to worst, are: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card. Knowing these rankings is key to playing poker well!

Some simple poker terms to get you started are: Fold (to give up your hand), Call (to match a bet), Raise (to increase the bet), Check (to pass if no one has bet), and Pot (the total amount of money being bet).

While there are more than four, some fundamental moves in poker include: Betting (putting money into the pot), Raising (increasing the current bet), Calling (matching the current bet), and Folding (giving up your hand and any money you've already put in).

You'll hear things like "I'm all in!" (betting all your chips), "Call," "Raise you," and sometimes even some bluffing talk to try and trick other players! But be respectful, keep it friendly, and don't be a sore loser – or winner!