FORMAT
How to play Texas Hold'em
The Grand Goal

The point of Texas Hold'em poker, is to make the best five card hand out of the five community cards and your two hole cards.

The Shuffle, The Deal and The Blinds

The dealer shuffles a standard 52-card deck. The first player to the left of the dealer posts the small blind (half the minimum bet) and the second player to the left of the dealer posts the big blind (equal to the minimum bet). Each player is dealt two cards face down. These are known as the "hole cards."

The Betting Begins
A round of betting takes place, beginning with the player to the left of the two who posted the blinds. Players can call, raise, or fold when it's their turn to bet.
The Flop

After the first betting round, the dealer discards the top card of the deck. This is called burning the card and is done to ensure that no one accidentally saw the top card, and to help prevent cheating.
The dealer then flips the next three cards face up on the table. These cards are called the "flop."

NOTE: Eventually, a total of five community cards will be placed face up on the table. Players can use any combination of the community cards and their own two hole cards to form the best possible five-card Poker hand.

After the flop, another round of betting takes place, beginning with the player to the left of the dealer. During this and all future rounds of betting, players can check, call, raise, or fold when it's their turn to bet.

Fourth Street

The dealer burns another card and places one more face up onto the table. This, the fourth community card, is called the "turn" or " Fourth Street ."

The player to the left of the dealer begins the third round of betting.

Fifth Street
The dealer burns another card before placing the final face-up card on the table. This card is called the "river" or " Fifth Street ."
Final Betting and The Winner

Players can now use any combination of seven cards -- the five community cards and the two hole cards known only to them -- to form the best possible five-card Poker hand.

The fourth and final round of betting starts with the player to the left of the dealer.

After the final betting round, all players who remain in the game reveal their hands. The player who made the initial bet or the player who made the last raise shows their hand first.

The player with the best 5 card hand wins.

 

Hand Rankings
Hand Type
Description
High Card
The card with the highest number or face value in your hand.
One Pair
Two cards with the same number or face value.
Two Pair
Two cards with the same number or face value along with another two cards with the same number or face value.
Three of a Kind
Three cards with the same number or face value.
Straight
 Five cards in sequence, cards may be in any suit.
Flush
 Five cards in the same suit.
Full House
Three cards with the same number or face value along with another two cards with the same number or face value.
Four of a Kind
Four cards with the same number or face value.
Straight Flush
A straight with all five cards in the same suit.
Royal Flush
Ten, Jack, Queen, King, Ace all of the same suit.
   

EPC Modified TDA Rules

#

Rule Title

Rule

1

Floor People

Floor people are to consider the best interest of the game and fairness as the top priority in the decision-making process. Unusual circumstances can on occasion dictate that decisions in the interest of fairness take priority over the technical rules. The floor person's decision is final.

2

Colouring up Green Chips (25's)

When it is time to color-up green chips they will be rounded up. If a player has one chip it will get taken away. Two or more will equal 100. A player cannot be chipped out of a tournament: a player who loses his or her remaining chip(s) in a chip colour up will be given one chip of the smallest denomination still in play. Players are encouraged to witness the colouring up of chips.

3

Colouring up Red Chips (100's)

When it is time to color-up red chips they will be rounded up. If a player has one or two chips they will get taken away. Three or more will equal 500. A player cannot be chipped out of a tournament: a player who loses his or her remaining chip(s) in a chip colour up will be given one chip of the smallest denomination still in play. Players are encouraged to witness the colouring up of chips.

4

Odd Chips

The odd chip(s) will be taken out of play.

5

Side Pots

Each side pot will be split separately

6

Calling for a Clock

Once a reasonable amount of time has passed and a clock is called for, a player will be given a maximum of one minute to make a decision. If action has not been taken before time expires, there will be a 10-second countdown. If a player has not acted by the time the countdown is over, the player's hand will be dead.

7

Dead Button

Tournament play will use a dead button.

8

Penalties and Disqualification

A penalty MAY be invoked if a player exposes any card with action pending, throws a card off the table, violates the one-player-to-a-hand rule, or similar incidents take place. Penalties WILL be invoked in cases of soft play, abuse, or disruptive behaviour. Penalties available to the TD include verbal warnings and “missed hand” penalties. A missed hand penalty will be assessed as follows: The offender will miss one hand for every player, including the offender, who is at the table when the penalty is given multiplied by the number of rounds specified in the penalty; for the period of the penalty the offender shall remain away from the table. Tournament staff can assess one-, two-, three-, or four-round penalties or disqualification. A player who is disqualified shall have his or her chips removed from play. Repeat infractions are subject to escalating penalties.

9

At Your Seat

A player must be at his or her seat by the time all players have been dealt complete initial hands in order to have a live hand. Players must be at their seat to call time.

10

Face Up

All cards will be turned face up once a player is all-in and all betting action is complete.

11

Raise Requirements

If a player bets, the next player to raise must double the amount of previous bet or raise. For example if the blinds are 25/50 and a player raises to 125 the minimum raise would have to be 200 total.

12

Oversized Chip

A single oversized chip will be considered a call if the player does not announce a raise. If a player puts an oversized chip into the pot and states raise but does not state the amount, the raise will be the maximum allowable up to the size of that chip. After the flop, an initial bet of a single oversized chip without comment will constitute the size of the bet. To make a raise with a single oversized chip a verbal declaration must be made before the chip hits the table surface.

13

No Disclosure

No Advice

One Player to a Hand

Players are obligated to protect the other players in the tournament at all times. Therefore, players, whether in the hand or not, may not:

1. Disclose contents of live or folded hands

2. Advise or criticize play before the action is complete

3. Read a hand that hasn't been tabled

The one-player-to-a-hand rule will be enforced.

14

Official Language

The English-only rule will be enforced in the empire poker challenge during the play of hands.

15

Communication Devices

A player may not use a cellular phone, text-messaging device, or other communication device at the table.

16

Deck Changes

Deck changes will be at the tournament directors discretion. Players may not ask for deck changes.

17

New Limits

When time has elapsed in a round and a new level is announced by a member of the tournament staff, the new level applies to the next hand. A hand begins with the first riffle.

18

Higher Denomination Chips Visible

Players must keep their higher denomination chips visible at all times.

19

Rabbit Hunting

No rabbit hunting is allowed.

20

Dodging Blinds

A player who intentionally dodges (a) blind(s) when moving from a broken table will incur a penalty.

21

Chips Visible

All chips must be visible at all times. Players may not hold or transport tournament chips in any manner that takes them out of view. A player who does so will forfeit the chips and will face disqualification. The forfeited chips will be taken out of play.

22

Breaking Tables

Players going from a broken table to fill in seats assume the rights and responsibilities of the position. They can get the big blind, the small blind, or the button. The only place they cannot get a hand is between the small blind and the button.

23

Balancing Tables

In flop games when balancing tables, players will be moved from the big blind to the worst position (which is never the small blind). The table from which a player is moved will be as specified by a predetermined procedure.

24

Raises

There is no cap on the number of raises in no-limit games. A raise must be at least the size of the previous raise.

25

Misdeals

In flop games, exposure of one of the first two cards dealt is a misdeal. Players may be dealt two consecutive cards on the button.

26

Unprotected Hands

If a dealer kills an unprotected hand, the player will have no redress and will not be entitled to a refund of bets. However, if a player had raised and the raise had not yet been called, the raise will be returned to the player.

27

Killing Winning Hand

Dealers cannot kill a winning hand that was tabled and was obviously the winning hand. Players are encouraged to assist in reading tabled hands if it appears that an error is about to be made.

28

Verbal Declarations

Verbal declarations in turn and out of turn are binding.

29

Exposing Cards

A player who exposes his cards with action pending may incur a penalty, but will not have a dead hand. The penalty will begin at the end of the hand.

30

Methods of Raising

In no-limit a raise must be made by (1) placing the full amount in the pot in one motion; or (2) verbally declaring the full amount prior to the initial placement of chips into the pot; or (3) verbally declaring “raise” prior to the placement of the amount to call into the pot and then completing the action with one additional motion.

31

Ethical Play

Poker is an individual game. Soft play will result in penalties, which may include forfeiture of chips and/or disqualification. Chip dumping will result in disqualification.

32

Pot Size

Players are entitled to be informed of the pot size in pot-limit games only. Dealers will not count the pot in limit and no-limit games.

33

Button in Heads-up

When heads-up the small blind is on the button and acts first. When beginning heads-up play the button may need to be adjusted to ensure that, no player takes the big blind twice in a row.

34

Etiquette Violations

Repeated etiquette violations will result in penalties. Examples include unnecessarily touching other players cards or chips, delay of the game, and excessive chatter. Players are required to act in turn.

35

Showdown

At the end of last round of betting, the player who made the last aggressive action in that betting round must show first. If there was no bet the player to the left of the button shows first and so on clockwise.

36

Action Pending

Players must remain at the table if they still have action pending on a hand.

37

String Raises

Dealers will be responsible for calling string raises.

38

Playing the Board

A player must show both cards when playing the board in order to get part of the pot.

39

Early Exposure

If the dealer exposes a card before it is supposed to, the burn card will stay out and the flopped community card(s) will go back into the deck to be reshuffled. Then when ready will be re-flopped without another card being burned first. Same thing will happen on the turn and river if exposed to early

   

EPC Tournament Format
Tournament Structure
Players register during the 30 min. registration time before the tournament begins. Every player receives 5000 chips upon registering. All players receive the following chips:

# of Chips
Chip Color
Chip Value
8
Green
25
8
Red
100
2
Black
500
3
Blue
1,000
0
Yellow
5,000
0
Orange
10,000
1
Grey
Challenge Chip
1
White
Bluff Chip

Late players may join in the main event up until the third set of blinds have started. Once the third set of blinds have started no more players may join the main event. Late comers will have 500 removed from their starting chip stack for each level of blinds late. When the tournament begins all players from the table receive one card and the highest card starts off the deal. The big blind and small blind post to the left of the dealer. Blinds start at 25/25 and increase every 15 minutes. First break takes place after the fourth round of blinds. All players will receive an extra 1000 in chips for making it to the break. (see blind structure table)

Main Event Tournament Blind Structure
Rnd
Duration
B.B.
S.B.
Ante
1
15 Min
25
25
n/a
2
15 Min
50
25
n/a
3
15 Min
100
50
n/a
4
15 Min
200
100
n/a
Break
5
15 Min
200
400
n/a
6
15 Min
300
600
n/a
7
15 Min
400
800
n/a
8
15 Min
500
1000
100
9
15 Min
1000
2000
200
10
15 Min
2000
4000
500
11
15 Min
3000
6000
500
12
15 Min
4000
8000
500
13
15 Min
5000
10000
500
14
15 Min
10000
20000
500

A second break takes place when final table is reached. After 5 minutes the table will be dealt. At the final table high card will decide the new dealer position. The tournament continues until their is only one player left who holds all the chips.

Tournament Points

In the Empire Poker Challenge players compete in our weekly tournaments to increase there Empire Bankroll. (accumulated points) The prize pool of each tournament depends on the attendance that night. (tournament attendance X 1000 = prize pool). The top 16 players in the tournament receive a percentage of the prize pool. The higher a player ranks in the main event tournament the higher percentage of the prize pool they receive (see Main Event Tournament Points Chart).

Main Event Tournament Points
EXAMPLE of how to figure out the amount of points 1st place added to their bankroll in a 48 player tournament : 48 players (attendance) X 1000 = 48,000 (prize pool) X 30% (1st place %) = 14,400 points added to your bankroll
Rankings
Prize Pool %
1st
30%
2nd
15%
3rd
11%
4th
9%
5th
8%
6th
7%
7th
6%
8th
5%
9th
4%
10th
3%
11th-13th
2%
14th-16th
1%

Players can also accumulate points by knocking out other players and collecting their Challenge Chip. Every Challenge Chip is worth 100 points.

 

Consolation Table Format
Tournament Structure

Players who were knocked out of the Main Event or were to late to join the Main Event may sign up for the Consolation Table starting at the break. The Consolation Table will start as soon as their are enough players (6 players minimum- 8 players maximum). Up to 4 more players may be added to the Consolation Table when a player is knocked out of the game. Every player starts off with 40 chips when they join the table. Blinds start at 1- 2 and increase every time a player is knocked out (see CT Tournament Blind structure table).

CT Tournament Blind Structure
Rnd
KO's
B.B.
S.B.
1
1
2
1
2
2
4
2
3
3
6
3
4
4
8
4
5
5
10
5
6
6
12
6
7
7
14
7
8
8
16
8
9
9
18
9
10
10-11
20
10

The game continues until their is one winner who has all the chips.

 

Tournament Points

In order to further accumulate points for their bankroll, players may compete in the Consolation Table. For every player entered in the Consolation Table 250 points are added to the Consolation prize pool. (Amount of players entered in Consolation table X 250 = prize pool). The top 3 players in the Consolation Table receive a percentage of the prize pool. The higher a player ranks in the Consolation Table, the higher percentage of the prize pool they receive (see CT Points chart).

Main Event Tournament Points
EXAMPLE of how to figure out the amount of points 1st place added to their bankroll in a 12 player Consolation Table: 12 players (attendance) X 250 = 3000 (prize pool) X 50% (1st place %) = 1500 points added to your bankroll
Rankings
Prize Pool %
1st
30%
2nd
15%
3rd
11%
   

 
 

Bluff Chip
Every player who registers within the 30min registration time will receive a Bluff Chip with their starting stack. Players who are dealt in may use the bluff chip at the end of that hand to reveal anothers hole cards. This is a one time use chip and once used will be returned to the tournament director and pulled out of play. If a player knocks out an opponent who had not yet used their Bluff Chip, they collect theirs along with any other unused chips in their possession for future use.
 

Texas Hold'em Calculator
Click here to use the Texas Hold'em Calculator
   

Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
What is EPC Poker?
A:
EPC Poker is an entertainment company who holds free live no limit texas holdem tournaments at pubs and retaurants across B.C.
Q:
Can anyone play?
A:
Absolutely! We encourage players at all skill levels to try our tournaments. It can be competitive and a good learning environment for all. Keep note that age limits do apply at liqour primary establishments.
Q:
How will it cost me to play?
A:
Nothing! EPC Poker is a completely free to play series. Players are given out points based on nightly performances. And in return are given sponsorships.
Q:
What can I be sponsored into?
A:
Many different casino and online tournaments. Including the World Series Of Poker in Las Vegas, BC Poker Championships, and many Great Canadian Casino tournaments.
Q:
Do I need a Passport to play in the World Series Of Poker?
A:
Yes. As of June 1st 2009 to cross the Canadian/US border you will need a Canadian Passport.
Q:
Do I have to find my own way to Las Vegas to play in the WSOP?
A:
No. EPC Entertainment will provide your flight and accommodations to Las Vegas.
   

Poker Dictionary
A

Aces Full A full house with three aces and any pair .

Ace-High A five card hand that contains one Ace, with no straight or flush or a hand with nopair in it.

Aces Up A hand that contains two pairs , one of which is Aces.

Action Checking/Betting/Raising. A game in which players are playing a lot of pots is considered an "action" game.

Active Player Any player who is still in the hand .

Add-on A purchase of more chips (optional) at the end of the re-buy period in a tournament.

All-In When a player bets all his/her chips.: In online poker , you may be deemed "All-in" when you are disconnected (even if you have chips remaining).

American Airlines Two Aces.

Ante Money placed in the pot before the hand is begun.

B

Bad Beat When a hand is beaten by a lucky draw.

Belly Buster A draw and/or catch to an Inside Straight .

Bet To place chips into the pot .

Bet the Pot When a player bets the amount of the pot .

Bicycle A straight that is A-2-3-4-5.

Big Blind A designated amount that is placed by the player sitting in the second position, clockwise from the dealer, before any cards are dealt. (Players joining a game in progress must post a Big Blind, but may do so from any position.)

Big Slick A hand that contains an A-K.

Blind The bet(s) that must be made by the two players sitting directly to the dealer's left which will start the action on the first round of betting. The blinds are posted before any cards are dealt. (A "Blind" bet is one that is made in the dark without looking at your cards.)

Blind Raise When a player raises without looking at his hand.

Bluff To make other players believe that one has a better hand than he/she might otherwise have by betting or raising when they do not have the best hand.

Boardcards The cards that are dealt face-up in a poker game for all players to see. In flop games , five cards are dealt face-up in the center of the table. In Seven Card Stud , four cards are dealt face-up in front of each player.

Bottom Pair When a player uses the lowest card on the flop to make a pair with one of his own cards.

Broadway An Ace high straight (A-K-Q-J-10).

Bring-In The forced bet made on the first round of betting by the player who is dealt the lowest card showing in Seven Card Stud and Stud 8 or Better. In Razz (Lowball) it is the highest card showing

Bring It In To start the betting on the first round.

Broomcorn's Uncle A player who antes himself broke.

Bullets A pair of Aces.

Bump To raise .

Button Also known as the dealer button, it is a small round disk that is moved from player to player in a clockwise direction following each hand, to theoretically indicate the dealer of each hand.

Buy-In The minimum amount of money required by a player to sit down in a particular poker game.

C

Call When a player chooses to match the previous bet.

Call Cold To call both a bet and raise(s).

Cap To take the last of the maximum amount of raises allowed per round of betting.

Cardroom The room or space in a casino where poker is played.

Case Chips A player's last chips.

Cash Out To leave a game and convert your chips to cash.

Check When it's a player's turn to act and there has been no action in front of them and he opts not to bet, he "checks."

Check-Raise When a player first checks and then raises in a betting round.

Chop To return the blinds to the players who posted them and move on to the next hand if no other players call. It also means to "split the pot".

Collusion When two or more players conspire to cheat in a poker game .

Community Cards Cards that are face-up and used by all players.

Cowboys Two Kings.

D

Dead Man's Hand Two pair - Aces and Eights (Wild Bill Hickock was shot in the back while playing this hand).

Door Card This is the first exposed card, or "up" card, in a player's hand in Stud games.

Down Card Hole cards. Cards that are dealt face down.

Doyle Brunson It's a Holdem hand consisting of a 10-2 (Brunson won the world championship two years in a row on the final hand with these cards).

Draw Lowball Form of poker where each player is dealt five cards with the option of discarding one or more and replacing them with new ones and the low hand wins.

Draw Poker Form of poker where each player is dealt five cards down with the option of discarding one or more and replacing them with new ones to attempt to make a better hand.

Drop Fold .

Ducks A pair of Twos.

Deuces A pair of Twos.

E

Early Position Position on a round of betting where the player must act before most of the other players at the table. (It's considered the two positions located to the left of the Blinds .

F

Fifth Street Also known as the "river" card. In flop games , this represents the fifth community card on the table and the final round of betting. In Stud games , this is the fifth card dealt to each player and represents the third round of betting.

Five-card Draw A poker game in which the player is dealt five cards down. They have one draw to replace them and the best high hand wins the pot.

Five-card Stud A poker game in which each player is dealt five cards, one down and four up, with betting after 2, 3, 4, & 5 cards.

Flat Call Calling a bet without raising .

Flop In Hold'em and Omaha , the first three community cards that are dealt face-up in the center of the table all at one time. The "flop" also indicates the second round of betting.

Flop Games Poker games ( Hold 'em and Omaha ) that are played using community cards that are dealt face up in the center of the table.

Floorman An employee of the cardroom who makes rulings and decisions.

Flush Any five cards of the same suit.

Flush Draw When a player has four cards in his hand of the same suit and is hoping to draw a fifth to make a flush.

Fold To throw your hand away when it's your turn to act.

Forced Bet A required bet that starts the action on the first round of a poker hand .

Four of a Kind Four cards of the same number or face value ("quads").

Fourth Street In flop games , it is the fourth community card dealt (also known as "the turn" ) and represents the third round of betting. In Stud games , it is the fourth card dealt to each player and represents the second round of betting.

Full House Any three cards of the same number or face value, plus any other two cards of the same number or face value.

G

Gut Shot To draw to and/or hit an inside straight.

H

Hand A player's best five cards.

High-Card To decide the first dealer in the flop tournaments each user is dealt a single card and the player with the highest card (based on the card and the suit order - of spades, hearts, diamonds & clubs) becomes the theoretical dealer.

High-Low Split pot games.

Hold 'em Also known as Texas Hold 'em, where the players get two down cards and five community cards. See our complete Hold 'em rules in our Game Rules section.

Hole Cards These are the Down Cards in front of the players.

House The casino or cardroom that is hosting the poker game.

I

Inside Straight Four cards which require another between the top and the bottom card to complete a straight .\ Players who catch this card make an Inside Straight.

J

Jackpot Poker A form of poker in which the cardroom or casino offers a jackpot to a player who has lost with a really big hand (usually Aces full or better).

Jacks-or- Better A form of poker in which a player needs to have at least a pair of jacks to open the betting.

K

Kansas City Lowball Form of lowball poker in which the worst poker hand (2, 3, 4, 5, 7 of different suits) is the best hand. It's also known as Deuce to Seven.

Keep Them Honest To call at the end of a hand to prevent someone from bluffing.

Key Card A card that gives you a big draw or makes your hand .

Key Hand In a session or tournament, the one hand that ends up being a turning point for the player, either for better or worse.

Kicker The highest unpaired side card in a players' hand.

Kick It Raise .

Kill Pot A method to stimulate action. It is a forced bet by someone who has just won a pot(s).

Knock Check .

Kojak A hand that contains a K-J.

L

Ladies Two Queens.

Late Position Position on a round of betting where the player must act after most of the other players have acted (usually considered to be the two positions next to the button ).

Lay Down Your Hand When a player folds .

Lead The first player to bet into a pot .

Limit Poker A game that has fixed minimum and maximum betting intervals along with a prescribed number of raises.

Limper The first player who calls a bet.

Limp In To enter the pot by calling rather than raising . (The usual concept of "Limp In" is when the first person to speak just calls the Big Blind.)

Live Blind An instance where the player puts in a dark bet and is allowed to raise , even if no other player raises. It's also known as an "option" .

Live Card(s) In Stud Games , cards that have not yet been seen and are presumed to still be in play.

Live Hand A hand that could still win the pot .

Live One A not so knowledgeable player who plays a lot of hands.

Look When a player calls the final bet before the showdown .

Loose Is a player who plays a lot hands.

Lowball Is a form of draw poker in which the lowest hand wins the pot.

M

Main Pot The center pot. Any other bets are placed in a side pot(s) and are contested among the remaining players. This occurs when a player(s) goes all-in .

Make To make the deck is to shuffle the deck.

Maniac A very aggressive player who plays a lot of hands.

Middle Pair In flop games , when a player makes a pair with one of his/her down cards and the middle card on the flop .

Middle Position Somewhere between the early and late positions on a round of betting (the fifth, sixth and seventh seats to the left of the button ).

Muck To discard or throw away your hand . It's also a pile of cards that are no longer in play.

Minimum Buy-In The least amount you can start a game with.

Monster A very big hand . In a tournament, a player who begins to accumulate chips after having a small stack is considered to be a monster.

N

No Limit A game where players can bet as much as they like (as long as they have it in front of them) on any round of betting.

Nuts The best possible hand at any point of the game. A hand that cannot be beat.

O

Odds The probability of making a hand vs. the probability of not making a hand.

Offsuit Cards of a different suit.

Omaha A game in which each player is dealt four down cards with five community cards. To make your hand, you must play two cards from your hand and three from the board.

Open To make the first bet.

Open-ended Straight Four consecutive cards whereby one additional (consecutive) card is needed at either end to make a straight .

Open Card A card that is dealt face-up.

Open Pair A pair that has been dealt face-up.

Option An option is a Live Blind made in the dark before the cards are dealt. If no one raises, the "option" player may raise the pot.

Out Button A disc placed in front of a player who wishes to sit out a hand(s) but remain in the game.

P

Paints Face or picture cards (Jack, Queen and King).

Pair Two cards of the same face or number value.

Pass To fold .

Pay Off To call on the final round of betting when you may or may not think you have the best hand.

Picture Cards Face cards (Jack, Queen and King).

Play Back To raise or re-raise another player's bet.

Playing the Board In flop games when your best five card hand is all five of the community cards.

Pocket The down cards or hole cards .

Pocket Rockets A pair of Aces in the pocket or hole .

Position Where a player is seated in relation to the dealer, therefore establishing that player's place in the betting order.

Post When you post a bet, you place your chips in the pot . (You must post the Blinds .)

Pot The money or chips in the center of a table that players try to win.

Pot Limit This is a game where the maximum bet can equal the pot .

Prop A person hired by the cardroom to work as a shill .

Push When the dealer pushes the chips to the winning player at the end of a hand. It's also when dealers rotate to other tables.

Put Down To fold a hand.

Q

Quads Four of a kind.

Qualifier In High-Low games, it is a requirement the Low hand must meet to win the pot.

R

Rack A tray that holds 100 poker chips in five stacks of twenty chips each.

Rail The rim of a poker table or a barrier outside a poker area.

Railbird Someone who hangs around a poker room who watches the games and/or is looking to get into action.

Raise To increase the previous bet.

Rake Chips taken from the pot by the cardroom for compensation for hosting the game.

Rank The value of each card and hand.

Rap When a player knocks on the table indicating that he/she has checked .

Razz Seven Card Stud where the lowest five cards win the pot.

Re-buy The amount of money a player pays to add a fixed number of chips to his/her stack in a tournament.

Re-raise To raise a raise .

Ring Game A "live" game that is not a tournament.

River This is the last card given in all games. In Hold'em and Omaha , it is also known as 5th street . In Stud games, it is also known as 7th street .

Round of Betting This is when players have the opportunity to bet , check or raise . Each round of betting ends when the last bet or raise has been called.

Rounders Guys who hustle for a living. This is also the name of a popular poker movie starring Matt Damon and Ed Norton.

Royal Flush This is an Ace high straight (A-K-Q-J-10) of the same suit. It is the best possible hand in poker.

S

Satellite It is a mini-tournament to gain an entry into a larger tournament.

Scoop To win the entire pot .

Seating List A waiting list. A player would put his or her name on this list if there were no seats at the table at which they wish to play.

Second Pair In flop games , when you pair the second highest card on the board.

See To call.

Seven-card Stud A well-known poker game in which players get three down cards and four up cards. You play the best five of those seven cards. Click here for information on Seven-card Stud .

Seventh Street This is the final round of betting in Seven Card Stud and Stud 8 or Better.

Shills Shills are paid props who help start and maintain poker games.

Showdown At the end of the final betting round, it's when all active players turn their cards faceup to see who has won the pot .

Side Pot A separate pot(s) which is contested by remaining active players when one or more players are all-in.

Sixth Street In Seven-card Stud , this is the fourth "up" card dealt to the player (their 6th card). It is also the 4th round of betting.

Solid A fairly tight player (and reasonably good).

Small Blind The amount put in the pot by the person immediately to the left of the dealer "button" prior to the cards being dealt.

Speed Limit A pair of fives.

Split Tie.

Stack A pile of chips.

Stay When a player remains in the game by calling rather than raising .

Steel Wheel A five high straight (A-2-3-4-5) of the same suit.

Straddle A straddle is a Blind bet which is usually double the size of the Big Blind\ (and that player may raise when the action gets to him).

Straight Five consecutive cards of any suit.

Straight Flush Five consecutive cards of the same suit.

Structure The limits put on the blinds / ante , bets , and raises in any particular game.

Stud Games Games in which players get down cards and up cards.

Stuck A player who is losing in a game.

T

Texas Hold'em This is also the name for Hold'em , the most popular form of poker.

Third Street In Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud 8 or Better, this is the first betting round on the first three cards.

Thirty Miles Three tens.

Three of a Kind Three cards of the same number or face value ("trips").

Tight A player who doesn't play many pots. A tight game is one that doesn't have much action.

TOC Tournament of Champions.

Top Pair In flop games , when the player pairs one of his down cards with the highest card on board.

Treys A pair of threes.

Trips Three of a kind.

Turn In flop games , this is the fourth card dealt. It is the third round of betting.

Two Pair A hand consisting of two different pairs.

U

Up Card A card that is dealt face-up.

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W

Walking Sticks A pair of sevens.

Wild Card A card that can be played as any value.

Worst Hand A losing hand.

WSOP World Series of Poker.

X
 
Y
 
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