Poker Glossary

Bluff

A bet or raise made with a weak hand to make opponents fold better hands. Bluffing is essential for a balanced poker strategy and prevents opponents from exploiting you.

Example: You miss your flush draw on the river and bet as a bluff, representing a strong hand to make your opponent fold a better hand.

Continuation Bet (C-bet)

A bet made on the flop by the pre-flop aggressor. C-betting is a fundamental strategy to maintain initiative and put pressure on opponents.

Example: You raise pre-flop from the button and bet the flop regardless of whether you hit, continuing your aggression.

Check-Raise

Checking with the intention of raising after an opponent bets. This play can be used for value with strong hands or as a bluff to represent strength.

Example: You check your set on the flop, opponent bets, and you raise to build the pot and charge draws.

Donk Bet

Leading into the pre-flop aggressor on the flop (betting out of position when you weren't the aggressor). Traditionally considered a weak play, but can be used strategically.

Example: The button raised pre-flop, you called from the big blind, and you bet into them on the flop instead of checking.

Drawing Hand

A hand that needs to improve to become the best hand. Common draws include flush draws (4 cards to a flush) and straight draws (open-ended or gutshot).

Example: You have 9♥8♥ on a flop of K♥7♥2♠ - you have a flush draw and need one more heart to complete your flush.

Equity

Your percentage chance of winning the hand at any given point. Equity is calculated based on your hand strength versus your opponent's range.

Example: AA vs KK pre-flop has approximately 82% equity, meaning pocket aces will win about 82 out of 100 times.

Float Bet

Calling a bet on one street with the intention of taking the pot away on a later street, usually when the opponent shows weakness.

Example: You call a c-bet on the flop with a weak hand, planning to bet the turn if your opponent checks, representing a strong hand.

Fold Equity

The probability that your opponent will fold to your bet or raise, multiplied by the pot size. Fold equity makes bluffs profitable even when you don't have the best hand.

Example: Your bluff has high fold equity because your opponent's range is weak and they're likely to fold to aggression.

4-Bet

A re-raise of a 3-bet before the flop. 4-betting typically indicates a very strong hand range and creates large pots.

Example: You raise, opponent 3-bets, and you 4-bet with pocket aces to build a big pot.

GTO (Game Theory Optimal)

A strategy that cannot be exploited by opponents. GTO play involves playing a balanced range in all situations, making you unexploitable in the long run.

Example: GTO play involves bluffing at the mathematically correct frequency so opponents can't profit by always calling or always folding.

Implied Odds

The potential future winnings in addition to the current pot that justify a call. Implied odds account for money you expect to win on later streets if you hit your hand.

Example: You call with a flush draw because you expect to win a big pot on the river if you hit, even though current pot odds don't justify the call.

Made Hand

A hand that is already strong and doesn't need to improve to win. Made hands include pairs, two pairs, sets, straights, flushes, and better.

Example: You have top pair on the flop - this is a made hand that is currently ahead and doesn't need to improve.

Outs

Cards that will improve your hand to (likely) the best hand. Counting outs accurately is crucial for calculating your equity and making correct decisions.

Example: With a flush draw, you have 9 outs (the remaining cards of your suit). With an open-ended straight draw, you have 8 outs.

Polarized Range

A range consisting of very strong hands (the nuts) and bluffs, with few medium-strength hands. Polarized ranges are common in river betting.

Example: On the river, your betting range is polarized: you bet your best hands for value and your worst hands as bluffs, while checking medium-strength hands.

Position

Your seat relative to the dealer button, affecting when you act in a hand. Acting last (in position) provides a significant advantage as you have more information about opponents' actions.

Example: Playing in position on the button allows you to see what all other players do before making your decision, giving you a strategic advantage.

Pot Odds

The ratio of the current pot size to the cost of a contemplated call. Pot odds help determine whether a call is profitable based on your chances of winning.

Example: If the pot is $100 and you need to call $20, your pot odds are 5:1 (or 16.7%). You need to win more than 16.7% of the time for the call to be profitable.

Range

The spectrum of possible hands a player could have in a given situation. Thinking in ranges rather than specific hands is essential for advanced poker strategy.

Example: A tight player's opening range from early position typically includes premium hands like AA-TT, AK, AQ.

Slow Play

Playing a strong hand passively (checking or calling instead of betting or raising) to disguise its strength and trap opponents. Use sparingly as it can allow opponents to outdraw you.

Example: You check your full house on the flop to let opponents catch up and build the pot on later streets.

3-Bet

A re-raise before the flop. The first raise is the '2-bet', so a re-raise is the '3-bet'. 3-betting is used to build pots with strong hands and apply pressure.

Example: An opponent raises from middle position, and you re-raise (3-bet) from the button with pocket queens.

Value Bet

A bet made with a strong hand to extract value from weaker hands that might call. The goal is to maximize profit by getting called by worse hands.

Example: You have top pair on the river and bet for value, expecting worse hands like middle pair or weak top pair to call.