The immense popularity of Poker Rooms, be it on television or online, has attracted the attention of even casual gamers. But some new players can be overwhelmed by the multitude of terms and definitions used in the game and its many variants.

This guide of Basic Poker terms is not meant to be extensive nor comprehensive; it is merely intended to be an overview of the most frequently used terms in Poker. By learning the following terminology the new player will be able to understand the jargon used in Poker articles.

Ante: this is the initial amount each player gives at the beginning of the game. The total amount makes up the initial pot money.

Betting Round: the betting round works in different ways, depending on the game. If the hands are up, the player with the highest hand starts the betting. In other variants the one with the lowest hand starts the round, and in subsequent rounds the one with the highest. If the hands are down (card face down) the betting proceeds from the player to the left of the dealer then moves clockwise in the next round.

Bluff: does not mean to cheating at poker, but to bluff means to call, even though your hand is weak. The idea behind bluffing is that the other players will think that your hand is so strong you want to raise the stakes. If no one matches your bet, you win, even though your hand might be the weakest.

Call: to call in a Poker game means to match the bet made by the other player.. If the call is not matched, the player wins.

High/Low: when you come across the term “high/low games” it means that the highest and lowest hand in the game split the pot money. It is possible though, by using wild cards (cards whose value is determined by the player holding it) to win everything. This only works if the player makes known his intentions for both high/low first.

Rank: refers to the values of a card. In Poker 2 is the lowest, Ace the highest. One Pair (2 poker cards same rank); Two Pairs (2 poker cards same rank, plus two more of another); Three of a Kind (3 poker cards, same rank); Straight (player has five cards of the same suit sequentially); Flush (5 poker cards, same suit); Full House (a Pair and Three of a Kind).

The highest possible combinations are Four of a Kind (4 cards, same rank), Straight Flush (5 cards, same suit in sequence), Royal Flush (10-J-Q-K-A, same suit). If multiple decks or wildcards are used, Five of a Kind (5 cards, same rank) is the highest ranking obtainable.

The Showdown: this occurs at the end of the game, whereby the remaiing players reveal their hands to determine the winner.

Here are other common Poker terms you will come across: “folding” refers to a player who decides to withdraw rather than match a called bet; “hole cards” are the face down cards; the “rake” is the term used to refer to the commission of the casino in a Poker game. In Poker variants like Texas Hold Em there are “blind bets”. These are forced player bets (usually two, with the stakes increasing with each round) because in Texas Hold ‘Em there are no antes.

By familiarizing yourself with Poker jargon, you will be able to better understand the game. It will also help you make sense of the tips and guides you will see on the Web as you enhance your playing skills.