It’s worth learning some slang and everyday expressions if you’re new to poker so you can feel more at ease.
Although knowing it won’t improve your playing, you will at least be able to understand what other players are saying and will therefore have a greater enjoyment of the game.
A
Airball
Inside cazinouri online Irlanda, when a player completely “airballs,” that is, makes a bluff with no actual hand and no realistic chance of improving, that is known as “airballing.”
B
Busted
All of your chips or money are lost when you “bust.”
It can be applied in a variety of circumstances, such as being eliminated from a tournament after losing all of your chips.
When you run out of money and are unable to reload, the same thing applies to cash games.
It may also refer to a scenario in which a player loses all of their chips and is subsequently busted because they are out of money to continue playing poker.
C
Cardrack
Used to describe a player who has been dealt strong hands throughout a tournament or session.
A “cardrack” will frequently go on a hot streak, racking up large pocket pairs, landing all of their draws, and stacking numerous players in the process.
D
Doomswitch
A label applied to a player who is underperforming and running on the unfavorable side of variance.
It has its roots in the idea that poker sites have a “switch” they can turn to make certain players win or lose more frequently. This idea first appeared in the world of online poker.
Although most players view this as a joke, some genuinely believe that websites use this strategy to prevent you from winning excessive amounts of money.
Do not be alarmed; it is merely a myth.
F
Fist Pump
A gesture made at the table to celebrate winning a pot or another successful outcome.
The term “fist-pump shove” has also come to be used to describe other scenarios, such as when you are excited to move all-in after your opponent bets into your monster.
G
Going South
When a player “goes south” in a poker game, it indicates that they have taken some of their chips off the table to lower their bet.
Most games consider this to be against the rules and even an angle shoot.
No matter what, avoid “going south” because all the money you win has to stay in play until you decide to stand up and leave.
H
Hit And Run
This is when you decide to leave the game right away after winning a sizable pot or a string of banks.
Some players do this to safeguard their winnings, but it’s unethical and shouldn’t be something you do frequently.
I
Idiot End
The term “straight” (or “draw”). A player is said to be drawing to the idiot end of the straight if they have options for bigger straights but can only make the lowest straight possible with their draw.
J
Jam
“Jam” refers to a scenario in which you place all of your chips in the middle of the pot and raise all-in.
L
Live One
Poker players refer to a player who isn’t very good at the game and is therefore an easy target at the table as “live one,” much like a donkey.
Typically, a “live one” plays many hands, has a sizable bankroll, and doesn’t mind losing as long as they’re having fun.
M
Muck
Folding also goes by the name “muck.”
Mucking, on the other hand, is most often used to refer to a situation in a showdown where you decide to fold without revealing your hand because your opponent has a better hand than you.
N
Nitfest
A phrase used to describe a game in which every player plays extremely tightly and cautiously.
As a “nitfest” table offers very little fun or excitement, it typically carries negative connotations.
P
Pwned
“Pwned” is a term that also originated in the online world and means somewhat the same as “owned,” but it also means more.
When you’re “pwned,” it means you were either significantly outplayed or the opposing player struck it extremely lucky.
The majority of your chips will be moving across the table in either case.
R
Rags
Used to describe cards that are poor and impossible to play.
This includes hands like 92o, J3o, etc. that have a very slim chance of improving and should be folded immediately before the flop.
“Napkins” is a different word you might hear in this situation.
S
Shark
The opposite of a donkey is a “shark,” who is very knowledgeable about the game and preys on less experienced players by punishing them for errors.
A strong professional poker player is typically what is meant when using the term “shark.”
Since a “card shark” is knowledgeable about a variety of card games in addition to poker, the term is frequently used in a broader sense.
T
Tanking
Refers to a player who is considering their options and taking their time. Time bank is where the name originates.
Players frequently engage in “tanking” when they must make a significant wager on the turn or river, where their choice could have a significant financial impact.
W
Walking Chips
A player is said to have “walking chips” if they have enough chips to be able to take a stroll and miss a few hands during a tournament while taking a break to look around the tournament area.
This wasn’t a wise choice strategically.
The only situation in which doing this makes sense is if you are participating in a satellite tournament, where everyone who wins receives a ticket to another event, and your enormous chip stack ensures that you will win.
Even so, it makes sense to stay seated at your table because you never know when something will come up.