Poker Terms Glossary
Browse our complete poker encyclopedia — every term comes with a clear definition, example, and strategy tips.
Fundamentals
4 terms
Range
The set of all possible hands a player could have in a given situation.
Stack Depth
The size of a player's chip stack relative to the blinds or pot.
Variance
The natural ups and downs in poker results due to the element of chance.
Bankroll Management
The practice of managing your poker funds to survive variance and avoid going broke.
Strategy
6 terms
GTO (Game Theory Optimal)
A mathematically unexploitable strategy derived from game theory.
Bluff
Betting or raising with a weak hand to induce opponents to fold better hands.
Semi-Bluff
Betting or raising with a drawing hand that could improve to the best hand.
Exploitative Play
A strategy that specifically targets and exploits opponents' tendencies and weaknesses.
Float
Calling a bet in position with a weak hand, planning to bluff if checked to on the next street.
Slow Play
Playing a strong hand passively to disguise its strength and trap opponents.
Math & Odds
8 terms
Equity
Your share of the pot based on the probability of winning the hand.
Pot Odds
The ratio of the current pot size to the cost of a contemplated call.
Expected Value (EV)
The average amount you expect to win or lose from a decision over the long run.
Outs
Cards that will improve your hand to a likely winner.
Implied Odds
Pot odds adjusted for the additional money you expect to win on future streets.
Fold Equity
The probability that your opponent will fold to your bet or raise.
SPR (Stack-to-Pot Ratio)
The ratio of the effective stack size to the current pot size.
Nash Equilibrium
A state where no player can improve their outcome by unilaterally changing their strategy.
Positions
1 terms
Betting
9 terms
3-Bet
The third bet in a betting round — typically a re-raise preflop.
C-Bet (Continuation Bet)
A bet made by the preflop raiser on the flop, regardless of whether they connected.
Value Bet
A bet made with a strong hand to get called by worse hands.
Check-Raise
Checking first, then raising after an opponent bets.
Donk Bet
A bet made into the preflop raiser by a player who is out of position.
Overbet
A bet larger than the current pot size.
Double Barrel
Following up a flop c-bet with another bet on the turn.
Squeeze
A 3-bet made after one player raises and another calls, squeezing the caller in between.
4-Bet
The fourth aggressive action in a betting round — a re-raise of a 3-bet.
Hand Types
2 terms
Advanced
5 terms
Board Texture
The composition and characteristics of the community cards on the board.
Polarized Range
A range consisting of very strong hands and bluffs, with few medium-strength holdings.
Range Advantage
When one player's range has more strong hands than their opponent's range on a given board.
Solver
Software that calculates game theory optimal solutions for specific poker scenarios.
Blocker
A card in your hand that reduces the likelihood of an opponent holding a specific hand.
Tournament
2 terms
Slang
6 terms
Tilt
Emotional frustration causing a player to deviate from optimal strategy.
Bad Beat
Losing a hand where you were a significant statistical favorite.
Cooler
A situation where two players have exceptionally strong hands, making folding nearly impossible.
Nit
An extremely tight and passive player who only plays premium hands.
TAG (Tight-Aggressive)
A player who plays a selective range of hands but bets and raises aggressively.
LAG (Loose-Aggressive)
A player who plays many hands aggressively with frequent bets and raises.