Poker has its own distinctive language just like so many other activities, from surfing the net to surfing the perfect wave. But do not be dismayed, it is not a plot against you, the newcomer to the game, it is simply an outgrowth of the popularity and longevity of the game of poker in its infinite variety. The following is a guide for those of you who are new to the game in online play and need more understanding of the communication both while engaged in the game and in the poker rooms and forums.

Let’s begin with some of the more obvious things. Probably the most popular game is Texas Holdem. It can be a limit, pot-limit, and no-limit game. From 2 to 10 players can participate in a Texas Holdem session. The person dealing the cards is called the dealer; his position at the table is marked by a special “button” and may be referred to as “the button.” Do not confuse the dealer with the casino representative who deals the cards to the players but never participates in the game.

Behind the dealer are two players who must make blind bets. The size of the bets is determined by the table limit. The first blind player places half a bet and is called the small blind; the second one places a full bet and is called the big blind. If the table limit is $2/$4, the big blind places $2 - which is also called a small bet. $4 is a big bet. Abbreviations are often used to indicate player positions. Small blind is SB and big blind is BB. Unfortunately, the same abbreviations may be used to refer to small and big bets - SB and BB - be careful not to confuse them.

The first move is made by the SB player. His place is therefore considered the first position and the dealer (or button’s) position is the last one. The player who plays third is the one following the BB and is at the “early” position called “under the gun” or UTG. Following the BB, and also early positions are shortened to UTG +1 and UTG + 2. You get it, right?

The next three players represent the middle position: MP1, MP2, and MP3. The next “late” position includes the player immediately before the button - referred to as the cutoff or CO - and finally the button player him or her self.

The above names are for the positions in a Texas hold’em game of ten players. If a game has fewer players, some of the position names are simply dropped.

The first step of the game is called the preflop, during which each player is dealt two pocket cards. Three “streets” follow the preflop: the flop, the turn (the fourth street), and the river (the fifth street). During these rounds community cards are laid out on the table (also “the board”), called after the relevant streets: first three flop cards, then one turn and one river card. Flop cards of different suits are called a rainbow.

This is just the most basic stuff you need to keep in mind when playing online. Continue to learn more poker jargon so you understand more and more of the strange conversation that exists in these online games. You will definitely be doing yourself a favor. You will win more and have more fun when you know what is being said around you and the meaning of the terms at the table.

Tags: Gambling

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