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.
- Call
- To match the amount of the current bet when it is your turn to act.
- Calling Station
- A player who frequently calls to see a flop, but rarely raises.
- Cap
- The maximum number of raises allowed by all players in one betting round. Typically four in Hold’Em.
- Case
- Four of a Kind.
- Chase
- To stay in the pot looking to get the card you need to make your hand a winner. Ex. Player 1 “chased” the one card he needed to complete his inside straight.
- Check
- To bet nothing on your turn. Checking is typically signaled by tapping the table with your fingers twice.
- Check/Raise
- To check the first time it is your turn to act, and then raise the bet of another player behind you. This is a great technique to discourage players in late position from betting small to see a cheap card.
- Cold Calling
- To call a Raise without having any of your money in the pot yet.
- Collusion
- Where two or more players at a table are playing together (sharing information) to gain an advantage over the other players.
- Community Card
- The cards face up on the table are called “community cards” and can be used by all players. Used in Hold'em, Omaha, and Seven Card Stud.
- Connectors
- Two cards in consecutive ranks such as 7/8.
- Cut-Off
- The seat directly to the right of the button.
- Crabs
- A pair of Treys.
- Crying Call
- When you think your hand is likely to be beat, but call anyway.
