Poker Terms

During an online poker game you will see different poker terms describing actions or situations, here are some of the most frequent terms used in real cash and free poker games, they also apply to any other variations of poker.

The Pot

The Pot is in the center of the table. It is an area of the table into which the money to be won is placed. The term is also used to describe the total amount of real money to be won. A poker room may decide on a maximum amount of real cash which can be in the pot at any time.

Poker Chips

The players use chips which are small colored disks, instead of real poker money. There is an agreed value of the chips for each color and everyone buys a supply of chips before the start.

The Ante

Before any cards are dealt each player has to put his Ante of a previously agreed value of chips into the pot. You may know the expression "ante up", meaning to put your money up first.

The Stakes

This is another word for Bets; a player may bet or stake his all. In many online poker rooms the rules govern the minimum and maximum amounts that can be staked in an individual bet by any player.

Check

A player who says check wishes to forfeit his right to make an immediate bet but to retain an option to join in the betting before the next card is dealt.

Fold

A player who folds does so by returning his cards to the dealer and takes no further part in that hand.

Call

If any of the other players decide just to match the highest bet they must put their chips into the pot and say Call. When everyone has had an opportunity to do this all the players then show their cards and the one with the best 5 takes the pot.