Learn Poker Jargon

If you're going to try your luck at poker, and specifically Texas Holdem, it's a good idea to get to know some of the jargon. Some of the following terms are commonly used at a poker table, even in online Free Poker chat, so learning these terms will improve your ability to keep up with what is going on at the table.

Blinds - The blinds are forced bets that take the place of antes in Texas Holdem. There's a small blind and a big blind. Usually, the small blind is half the size of the big blind nad everyone else at the table is required to at least match the big blind in order to play the hand.

Freeroll - A freeroll is a poker tournament that does not have an entrance fee. Poker Freerolls typically are played online as a form of entertainment.

Draw - A draw is after the flop, when you need one more card to complete a straight or flush, and you are hoping to get that card on the turn or river.

Limit Poker - This is when the poker game you are in has fixed size bets. you can't go all in in this game unless you have less than the fixed amount.

Outs - Outs are cards that are remaining in the deck that will win you the hand.

Position - Position is where you sit at the table relative to the dealer. The dealer is generally considered to be the best position at the table. When people say they are 'playing position' that usually means they have are playing very conservative in positions that are weaker, such as first to act after the big blind.

In our next article, we'll continue the discussion of poker jargon.