Texas Hold’Em Language, Lingo and Terms
The game of Texas Hold’Em has quickly become one of the most popular of all card games, and it has found its way to online and offline casinos around the world. The popularity of the televised Texas Hold’Em tournaments, coupled with the fun and excitement of the game, has led more and more people to take up the game.
As with any game, however, it is important to know the rules, and the lingo, before jumping in. Texas Hold’Em has its own unique language, and it is important to know what all those baffling words mean.
It is also important to know what types of games are available, and to choose the game that meets your needs. There are three types of games – fixed limit, pot limit and no limit. We will look at each one individually.
Fixed Limit – Fixed Limit Texas Hold’Em has a set betting limit. For instance, you may see poker sites where the bets are limited to $5, $10 or $20 increments. In this type of game all bets and raises must be done in the established increments.
Pot Limit – In a pot limit game the bets are not established before the game. Instead it is limited to the amount currently in the pot. This allows the betting limit to rise as the size of the pot increases.
No Limit – In a no limit game, the betting is only limited by the amount of money the players are willing to bet. There are no predetermined betting limits in a game of no limit Texas Hold’Em. This type of game is usually played by experienced card players with large bankrolls.
Let’s take a look at the special terms used in the game of Texas Hold’Em.
All-In – To go all in means betting everything you have on the hand.
Blind Bet – The blind bet is made by the players prior to the cards being dealt. Blind bets are generally made by the first two players to the left of the dealer.
Call – When the player matches the bet of another player.
Check – When a player checks, he or she is not placing a bet. They are instead opting not to place a bet. The check can only happen if there have been no other bets made in the round. When the player checks, he or she does not bet but does remain in the round.
Dealer Button – The dealer button is used to determine who the current dealer will be and who needs to place the blind bets. The dealer button is passed in a clockwise direction to the next player at each round.
Flop – The flop is the second round of Texas Hold’Em. The flop happens when the first three communal cards are dealt face up on the poker table. These communal cards may be used by all the players in the game in order to create their best hands.
Fold – When the player folds, he or she is quitting the current game and placing no more bets. The player can continue to play starting with the next deal.
Pre-Flop – The pre-flop is the first round of the game. During the pre-flop the dealer gives each player two cards, which are dealt face down.
Raise: Raising means adding more to the current bet.
River – The river is the last round, during which a fifth communal card is placed face up on the table.
Turn – The turn is the third round of Texas Hold’Em. This is the round during with the four communal card is dealt face up.