Poker has a language of its own. It can be a little intimidating or confusing if you don’t know what certain terms mean. The first time I played “live-action” poker I felt I was in a foreign land. Half of the time, I really didn’t know what a lot of the people were talking about. When I was down to my last chip, someone said to me: “All you need is a chip and a chair.” At the time, I didn’t know this was a reference to a 1982 World Series of Poker event. Jack Straus got down to one chip and fought his way back to win the entire series. Visit
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Straus for more information about this event.
Below, is a beginning poker dictionary with some common terms……….
Aces-Up: Two pairs, one being aces.
Ante: An equal amount put into the pot by each player, usually in higher levels of a tournament. It is not part of the bet.
Blind: A bet posted pre-flop.
Bubble: The last person in a tournament before the money.
Comps: Something a casino gives a player for free; very limited in poker.
Flush: 5 Cards of the same suit.
In the Window: Cards on the board that everyone can see.
Nuts: The very best hand.
Muck: Discard; once cards are mucked they cannot be played.
Pocket Rockets: Pocket Aces.
Rake: Amount of money the house takes.
Set: A player has a pair in his/her hand and another of the same card hits the board to make three of a kind.
Ship It: What donkey players say when they win the pot to have the money “shipped” their way.
Spread: The different games and denominations a poker room offers.
Trips: 3 of a kind.
For more poker terms visit the following: