Poker Glossary Betting Terms

There are various betting terms that are standard to the game poker. In this section of our poker glossary we cover the terms that are essential to understanding betting. Learn each and every one of these terms in order to be competitive at the poker table.

Poker Betting Before the Deal

In this part of our poker glossary we consider specific terms related to money that are part of the game and that occurs prior to the dealing of any cards.

• Buy-in: The buy-in refers to when a player enters a tournament and pays a fee. That fee becomes part of the prize pot and the player receives a predetermined amount of chips with which they will play. All players in the same tournament pay the same buy-in amount and receive the same number of chips.
• Chips: In poker, players buy chips with cash. The chips are given a value and players bet with them. When the game is over the chips are cashed in by the winning players for money.
• Big Blind: Prior to the start of a hand a poker player, the one immediately to the left of the small blind and two spots away from the Dealer Button, posts the big blind. This is equal to the minimum bet.
• Small Blind: The small blind, which is half the minimum wager, is posted prior to the start of a hand by the player immediately to the left of the Dealer Button.

Betting During the Game

Depending on the game, poker players have numerous chances to bet. This section of our poker glossary looks at terms related to the central part of a hand of poker. That is after the hole cards are dealt and up to the final card, which is the river.

• All-in: In tournament play and games with no maximum bet, a player may elect to go "all-in" on a hand. That means that they bet every chip that they have.
• Bet: A "bet" occurs when a player decides to put the minimum amount of money in the pot.
• Check: When a player "checks" they neither bet nor fold. They simply do not wager. This may occur in the second through to the final rounds of betting. If a player checks and someone else bets, then that player must either match the bet or fold.
• Fold: This occurs when a player decides to no longer bet in a specific hand and so they toss there cards in or "fold" and are out of that one hand.
• Raise: A "raise" occurs when a player wagers more than the minimum. Usually there is a limit of three raises per round of betting.
• See: When a play "sees" a raise, it means that they match the amount.

Betting and the End of a Hand

In or poker glossary, there are two betting terms related to the end of the hand.

• Showdown: During the showdown the final bets are made. The choices include going all-in, checking, folding, betting, raising and seeing. Once all betting is finished the winner of the hand is revealed. If only one player is left in the round, they automatically win the pot.
• Pot: The "pot" is all of the money bet that is won at the end of the hand. If there is a tie or if you are playing a high/low game, then the pot is split evenly between all winners.

Just a Start

Knowledge of betting terms is just the start of becoming a poker player. Knowing when to bet, raise, check and fold and how to do so effectively is a major part of becoming a successful poker player. This part of the poker glossary gives poker players a good start towards starting to understand how to play the game.