By
Gary Steele
Poker has its own set of unique terms and jargon, and more are being added every week as its popularity continues to expand. There are names for particular starting hands, such as pocket rockets and big slick. There are terms describing poker scenarios, such as a bad beat. It would take a week to write them all, but I think the following list will give you a good idea of the terms you will hear used on a regular basis as you play.
- Action
- 1) When it is a player’s turn to bet the “action”
is on that player.
2) When there is lots of betting going on at a table it is said to have a lot of “action.” - Add-On
- In a tournament you are often give the chance to purchase more chips. These additional purchases are called “Add-on’s” and the money is placed into the prize pool.
- Aggressive
- A playing style attributed to people who play a lot of hands, raise, and bluff frequently – Also known as a loose style.
- Ajax
- Ace-Jack in the hole.
- All-In
- A term used when a player puts the entire amount of money remaining in their possession (their stake) into the pot. Typically seen in No-Limit poker.
- American Airlines
- A pair of Aces in the hole – Also knows as Pocket Rockets.
- Ante
- A predetermined amount of money all players are forced to put in the pot before each hand is dealt.
