Poker Lingo

“I’ve been rivered”, “flopped the nuts” and “belly-buster” could all very well refer to wide range of acts some of which could be described as very strange. Indeed for one unaccustomed to the world of casino and cards, it may very well be a foreign language. Of course these are poker phrases and the poker initiated will understand all to well.

Poker players have their own language and their own way to discuss poker around themselves. Try this passage of play on for size:

“William makes it $400 raise with his Ace Jack (A-J), it sounds familiar to me I don’t know why. Steve mucks but Tony can’t complain and re-raises with his pair of kings (K-K). William is going to call and needs an ace to take the lead here. (3, Q, 10) comes on the flop. Let’s see how much Tony going to bet here. Tony doesn’t want William to draw but he only bets $1500. William would win if an ace came or a king giving him the nuts. William is going to call. Tony should have bet a little more. The king comes out on 4th street - that was 22.5 to 1. And now William is going to bet at it. Tony knows that William doesn’t have (J-9). So it’s possible that William has (A-J). But I don’t think Tony can stop himself. Tony raises so he’s going to be pot-committed and William is going to be a 3-to-1 favourite. Whatever Tony raises, William is going to go all-in. Either way, Tony will have to call an all in as he’s pot committed. Tony goes all in, William calls. Set of kings versus an ace high straight. Queen hits the board on the river. Tony gets lucky for his full house.”

WHAT? There may be some of you out there who have just read the above passage and thought it was indeed a foreign language. You may have thought that the following may be the correct definitions to some terms contained above:

Muck – To mess around

Flop – Flip flops (thongs)

The Nuts – Peanuts, almonds, walnuts, crazy

Pot Committed – Coffee shop in Amsterdam

Set – You’re all ‘set’ to go

Fourth Street – New York City street name

River - Water

Board - Backgammon

In reality all of these are terms describing elements within the game of poker.

GLOSSARY

Muck – To fold your cards without showing 

The Nuts – An unbeatable hand

Pot Committed – A situation in poker where odds dictate a call/bet/raise regardless of opponent’s hand

Set – Three of a kind

Fourth Street (“The Turn”) – The fourth card dealt to be common to all players in Texas Hold’em and Omaha. Can also be the fourth card dealt to players in Stud. 

Fifth Street ("The River") - The fifth card dealt to be common to all players in Texas Hold’em and Omaha. Can also be the fifth card dealt to players in Stud.

Board - In Texas Hold'em, the five community cards dealt face up

Poker players do indeed have their own language!