Basic Poker Terms (common in Texas Holdem)

Poker terminology can get quite confusing for new players. Below are the basic terms commonly heard when sitting down at the poker table. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all poker terminology, but is intended to get familiar with the lingo in Texas Holdem.

• All In
  When all of a player's chips are committed to the pot
  
  
• Ante
  A forced bet that must be placed into the pot by all players before a hand begins. It is used to build a pot and encourage action.
  
  
• Bet
  A wager placed into the pot by a player
  
  
• Blind
  A forced bet (similar to an ante), but only required to be made by two players. In holdem, there is a "big blind", which must post a specified amount of money, and a "small blind" which must post 1/2 of the big blind's bet.
  
  
• Bluff
  Betting or raising with a bad hand in hopes that your opponent will fold a better hand.
  
  
• Buyin
  An entry fee for a poker tournament.
  
  
• Call
  To match a player's bet who has already acted in front of you.
  
  
• Check
  To pass up on the option to bet when it's your turn. This is only allowed when nobody has made any bets in front of you on a specific round.
  
  
• Flop
  The first three community cards dealt in Texas Holdem.
  
  
• Fold
  To quit the current hand.
  
  
• Kicker
  The card that breaks a tie when two players have the same hand.
  
  
• Raise
  To make a larger bet than someone who has already bet in front of you.
  
  
• River
  The last community card dealt in Texas Holdem
  
  
• Turn
  The 4th community card dealt in Texas Holdem