H

(n) Hearts (the suit), in written text. Jh, for example, is the jack of hearts (J♥).

(n) limit hold’em, when part of a designation like H.O.R.S.E. or H.O.S.E.

(n phrase) 1. A bet equal to half the limit. Such a bet has significance only when a player has no more chips left than those with which to raise or call, in which case some establishments recognize it as a legitimate bet that can be reraised (on the side). For example, in some clubs, in, say, a $4-limit game, if I open the pot, and a few players call, and one player has $6 left, he can raise the pot. I can reraise, but to do so I need to put in two more full bets, that is, not a further $6, but a further $8. Some establishments do not even permit a player to call if he has less than a full bet. (He can play the hand through, but gets no action on his few remaining chips.) Also see full bet, legal raise. 2. In a limit game, a bet half as large as the current limit. For example, in a $10-$20 game, in the $10 round or rounds, $10 is a full bet, and $5 is considered a half bet. Cardrooms have different interpretations as to whether anything less than a full bet can be raised or whether a player is even permitted to bet less, and if an all-in player bets less, whether succeeding players can call that amount or must themselves put in a full bet. Some cardrooms allow a half bet to be raised by a full bet. 3. In a no-limit, pot-limit, or spread-limit game, a bet half as large as the minimum for the table, with similar discussion as the preceding. 4. In a no-limit, pot-limit, or spread-limit game, a bet half as large as the preceding bet. For example, if Emilie bets $50 and John can call only $25 of that, he would be said to have called half a bet. In some cardrooms, a raise of half a bet is considered toreopen the betting; in others, only a full bet does so. The rule covering all of these situations is known as the half-bet rule. For definitions 1 through 3, also see complete the bet, full bet, legal raise.

(n) 1. $50. 2. A $50 bill.

(adv phrase) See cow. “Will you go half and half with me, so I can get into the $20 game?”

(n phrase) A game in which two forms of poker are played, usually for half an hour each. For example, a half-stud, half-hold’em game would alternate half hours with seven-card stud and hold’em. Such a game is likely to be played at relatively high stakes. Also see
C.H.O.R.S.E., C.H.O.R.S.E.L., H.O.E., H.O.R.S.E., H.O.R.S.E.L., H.O.S.E., R.O.E.
This form of poker is also called a mixed game.

(n phrase) Half-and-half game.

(n phrase) A tournament format in which two forms of poker are played, usually for half an hour each. For example, a half-stud, half-hold’em tournament would alternate half hours with seven-card stud and hold’em, generally with the limits increasing hourly or half-hourly.

(n phrase) 1. $50. 2. A $50 bill.

(n phrase) 1. Half a bet. 2. What it costs the small blind (in a 1-2 structure) to call in an unraised pot. For example, in a $10-$20 game, $20 is consider to be one bet. Since the small blind already has $10 in the pot, it costs him a half-bet to enter an unraised pot.

(n phrase) See half a bet.

(n) 1. $50. 2. A $50 bill.

(n phrase) A game in which the winner of two pots in a row (or the winner of the whole pot over a certain size in a high-low game) must kill (definition 1) the next pot at one-and-a-half times the nominal limit of the game. For example, in 6-12 Omaha 8-or-better with a half-kill, if a player scoops, the next hand is played at 9-18 limit; the winner puts a $9 blind in the next pot. See scoop (definition 5). When the kill pot is twice rather than one-and-a-half times, it is called full kill or a full-kill game.

(n phrase) A game that features a half kill.

(n phrase) A form of poker (particularly common in England) in which the current betting maximum is equal to half the money in the pot at the moment the bet is made. When calculating a raise, it can include the amount required to call the previous bet. For example, the pot contains $100. You bet the maximum permitted, $50. If I call, the pot contains $200. I am now permitted to raise your bet by $100. If I do, your call brings the pot to $400, and you could raise my bet by $200, and so on.

(adv phrase) Partially aware of the workings of thievery, but not among the inner circle.

(n phrase) 1. In a high-low split game, the portion of the pot that either the best high hand or the best low hand wins. 2. In any other game, what each of two players with equivalent hands gets; each portion of a split pot.

(n) 1. Last position to bet in a particular hand; sometimes the person to put the last bet in; usually preceded by the. “You got the hammer” probably means “I’ll check to you” (implying, “Since you made a large bet before the draw you will probably make one after so I will check and let you hang yourself”). — (v)2. Make a big raise or an all-in bet in a big bet game. 3. Use the leverage of a big stack or late position to bully opponents with aggressive play.

(v phrase) Beat another player unmercifully.

(n) 1. The cards in the possession of a player. In hold’em, a hand is the player’s two hole cards; in pineapple, three cards; in Omaha, four cards; in draw poker, five cards; in seven-card stud, as many cards as a particular player currently is in possession of, right up to seven at the end. 2. The cards in the possession of a player at the end of play of a hand. In hold’em, that hand is the player’s two cards plus whatever portion of the board constitutes his best five-card holding. For example, if a player holds K♥ 10♥ and the board is 9♠ 8♣ 7♥ 6♠ 3♥, his hand is a 10-high straight. Here, the 10♥ and the 3♥ are not considered part of his hand. In Omaha, the hand a player ends up is the best five-card combination that uses exactly two of his hole cards plus three of the board cards. Similarly in seven-card stud, the hand a player ends up with is the best five-card combination among the seven in his possession. For example, if a player has 9♥ 8♠ 7♥ in the hole and his board consists of 8♦ 7♠ 8♥ 6♥, his hand is the full house 8♠ 8♦ 8♥ 7♥ 7♠. 3. One deal. “Who won the last hand?” (Also see pot, definition 3.) 4. The play of one’s cards from the point of first receiving them until the showdown. This differs mainly in point of view from the preceding. “I was second-best the last five hands.” 5. The actual play of the cards at a table from the point of their first being dealt until the showdown. This also differs mainly in point of view from the preceding two definitions. “I didn’t have even as good as an ace the last 10 hands.” 6. A good hand. “I didn’t put him on a hand.” “With that kind of betting, you know you’re against a player who has a hand.” 7. The holder of a particular hand. “That hand never had to put in a raise because all of the other players kept raising for him.” 8. Poker hand. 9. When preceded by the, the right hand for the situation. “I had the hand to get all his chips. Unfortunately, he missed his draw.”

(adv phrase) The situation that arises near the end of a tournament in which, usually, two tables remain and a few players must bust out before the tables are combined for the final table, all of the players at which will finish in the money. Because some players might try to guarantee a place in the money by playing slowly, hoping to outlast someone else who might go broke, the tournament director sometimes stipulates that whichever table finishes a hand first must wait for the other table before starting the next deal, and the tables play hand for hand. Large tournaments sometimes play hand for hand — and involving multiple tables — when players approach being in the money.

(n phrase) In an online game, a virtual replay of one or more previously played hands. At some cardrooms, a hand history appears as a textual or graphical summary of the hand that can be viewed online while playing upon the conclusion of the hand; at others, it is sent to the requesting player as an email message. Many cardrooms offer both options.

(adj) Describing how many players a table holds or are in a game, as eight-handed, nine-handed, and so on. “All our hold’em games are 10-handed.”

(n) Screen name.

(n phrase) Part of the expression I’ve got a hand like a foot.

(n phrase) A thief who palms (see palm) cards, which he holds out (see hold out) for later introduction into the game. This usage comes from a panguingue dealer, who, in the course of dealing the game, constantly shuffles cards that have been played (taking these cards from the discard pile, or the muck) and reinserts cards of similar rank and suit into various separated places of the remainder of the deck.

(n phrase) 1. Hand (definition 3). 2. The playing of poker, usually a session (definition 1). “I’m going down to the club to play a hand of poker.”

(n phrase) See showdown (definition 2).

(n phrase) What a specific player or type of player would play in a particular situation or position or both. See range.

(n phrase) The ability to read other players’ holdings.

(n phrase) In general, the starting cards a player chooses to play, or the range of hands the player plays in relation to his position. Sometimes implies making good choices; that is, the word good may be understood. “He knows hand selection” means his hand selection abilities are good.

(n phrase) The strength, absolute or relative, of a hand. See value (definition 2).

(n) The leaving of a card sticking out at the bottom or other portion of a deck when a mechanic sloppily deals a bottom, middle, or second. If you suspect a dealer of cheating, seeing a hanger might add evidence.

(n) Pertaining to chips in a change transaction. For example, when requesting change in currency (as opposed to chips), a request made by a dealer to a floorman for “$20 hard, $80 soft” indicates a player has a $100 bill and wants only $20 of it in chips. See soft (definition 4).

(v) Show no mercy in one’s play against another player, that is, do one’s best to beat the opponent; opposed to soft-play (definition 1).

(n) Rock.

(adj) A pair of somethings, usually used in lowball. A hard-way 8 is a pair of 4s. One player says, “I’ve got an eight,” and some other player might say, “I’ve got a hard-way eight” (that is, he paired 4s).

(n phrase) In hold’em, a 9 and a 5 as starting cards. From the hours one works. Also, working man’s hand.

(n phrase) Three jacks. The name is that of a clothing store chain, but why it should mean three jacks is obscure, since none of the founders was named Jack. Probably it’s just three male names that naturally go together.

(n phrase) Successfully check-raising three times in the same hand. “Successfully” means that the bettor was called each time and won the pot. This rare event usually happens heads-up — perhaps on the flop, turn, and river in hold’em. The term comes from sports, where it means three consecutive scores by one player or three scores in one game (as in cricket or ice hockey). In sports, the term comes from the hat with which the feat was traditionally rewarded in cricket.

(v phrase) See leg up.

(v phrase) Be known to be a cheat. See sign, sign off.

(v phrase) See position (definition 5).

(v phrase) See lead (definition 4).

(v phrase) See best of it.

(v phrase) See worst of it.

(n) h/e.

(n) Shorthand, particularly in e-mail and Internet postings, for hold’em. Also HE. Also a chat term.

(adv phrase) Go busted. See rail.

(adv phrase) 1. Head-to-head. When a house dealer says “Heads up,” he means that there are exactly two players in the current pot. 2. Pertaining to two players playing a game by themselves. “They’re playing heads up for a big one.” (Two players are playing freeze-out for $1,000.) Also, two-handed, head-up, head-to-head, head up.

(adj) Pertaining to playing heads up. “It’s a heads-up pot.” “They’re in a heads-up game.”

(n phrase) Overlay software that displays hand history statistics directly onto an online poker table. The statistics are usually obtained by a data-mining utility, and are sold by a company not associated with any poker site for use by (usually) heads-up online players to give them knowledge of their opponents’ historical tendencies. While some sites allow the use of heads up displays, many do not, and many poker authorities consider them unethical. Often rendered HUD.

(adv) Pertaining to (only) two players in a pot.

(adv phrase) 1. Heads up. 2. Head-to-head.

(adj) Heads-up. “It’s a head-up pot.” “They’re in a head-up game.”

(n) 1. Guts; courage; the ability to flow with the tides of fortune in a poker game. “He doesn’t play well, but he’s sure got a lot of heart.” 2. Any card in the hearts suit. “A heart came on the turn.”

(n phrase) A flush in the hearts suit.

(n phrase) A series of poker tournaments in (comparatively) small casinos in the US, with buy-ins in the hundreds of dollars, not thousands as events in larger and more well known series such as the World Poker Tour. Sometimes rendered HPT.

(n) 1. One of the four suits in a deck of cards, whose symbol is shaped like a valentine (♥). Originally, hearts may have represented the upper class, love supposedly being an abstract concept appreciated only by the rich and educated. In both the traditional and four-color deck, hearts are red. 2. A heart flush, that is, five cards of the same suit, all hearts. The following exchange likely comes from a draw game. “I’ve got a straight; whadda you got?” “Hearts.”

(n) 1. Attention being drawn to thievery or thieves by (usually) the management or (sometimes) other players; often preceded by draw. “I’ve been drawing too much heat at the Pasatiempo lately; I better stay away.” 2. Extreme pressure put on another player through heavy betting. “I hate to sit in front of Chris. He keeps putting heat on me.”

(n) Rush, winning streak. “Joey was on a real heater; every hand he played turned into the nuts.”

(adv) In lowball, pertaining to a bad card. “I caught heavy” means I missed my hand by a mile.

(n) The jack of diamonds. Probably a classical reference perhaps to the hero of the Iliad, although some card historians say it might represent a brother of Lancelot.

(n phrase; imitative) 50 cents. This imitates half a dollar.

(n phrase) Back peek.

(n) 1. A wild card game, seven-card stud (usually) with 5s and 7s wild; so-called because of the Heinz slogan, “57 varieties.” 2. In hold’em, 5-7 as starting cards. Also, pickle man.

(n) 1. A card or cards that improve a hand. Often part of the phrase get help. 2. Improvement of a hand with a fortuitous draw. “He was looking for help on the turn.” — (v) 3. Improve.

(n) Bleed (definition 2). “He came to the final table with more chips than the rest combined, but with all those questionable calls, he’s been hemorrhaging chips for the last hour.” Hemorrhage often implies losing more chips and more quickly than bleed.

(n) Queen (the card). Old, rare usage.

(n) See own [someone].

(n phrase) See from here to there.

(n phrase) 1. Calling an all-in bet with a relatively light holding, possibly because the player realizes he may need to win only 1 in 3 times (if the bet to call is close to the size of the pot) to show a profit. This is not quite the same as calling a bluff (see call a bluff), because in the latter case, the calling hand can beatonly a bluff. 2. Making a similar call of any bet (if less than an all-in bet) with a marginal holding.

(expression) See a lot of his children out there.

(expression) See lot of hands.

(n) James Butler (“Wild Bill”) Hickok, a noted gunfighter, scout, and gambler of the American Old West, after whom the dead man’s hand was named.

(n phrase) Face-down cards in a stud game, that is, those that can be seen by only the holder of a hand, as opposed to visible cards. Also called concealed cards.

(n phrase) Concealed hand.

(n phrase) Concealed pair.

(n phrase) In seven-card stud, downcards containing three of a kind, or, less commonly, a concealed pair matching one of the upcards.

(n) 1. Any form of poker in which the highest (as opposed to lowest) hand wins. “A royal flush is the best hand in most forms of high.” 2. High draw poker. “Got a seat in the high?” 3. The high hand, either in terms of the winner of the high half of a split pot or the highest board (definition 2). “Who’s got the high?” might be heard in either situation. — (adv) 4. In a high-low split game, pertaining to the hand that wins the high half, or is in contention for it. “I’m going high.” — (adj) 5. Describing any game in which the highest hand wins the pot, that is, in a game without wild cards (see wild card), in which the best hand is a royal flush, and the worst is no pair, and in a game with wild cards, in which the best hand is five of a kind. “This is high draw.” 6. In a stud game, describing the player whose board currently has the highest card combination, or the hand itself. “Matt is high.” “Pair of aces is high.”

(adv, adj, n) 1. In high poker, pertaining to the high card in a no-pair hand. For example, A-J-9-8-5 is ace-high, an ace-high hand, or an ace-high. 2. Less commonly, in lowball, pertaining to the top card in a no-pair hand. In ace-to-five lowball, 8-7-5-2-A is an 8-high. (This would more commonly be called an 8-low.)

(n) High draw poker. This term is rarely used.

(n phrase) A deck marked by shaving the long edges of some cards (making the ends narrower than the middles) so that a thief can tell by feel the values of certain cards, usually specific high or low cards, such as the aces. Also see low belly strippers, end strippers, glazed card, humps, side strippers, strippers.

(n phrase) The hand that is high on the board.

(n phrase) A tight player, from the expression, “so tight he hums in a high breeze.”

(n phrase) 1. In a stud game, the exposed card with the highest rank, the holder of which in a home game in which the high hand wins is usually the one who must initiate the first round of betting and the holder of which in razz in a cardroom must initiate the first round of betting. 2. At the showdown, a hand that wins when two no-pair hands or two flushes are in contention by virtue of containing a card of higher rank than any in the other hand. For example, between K♠ 5♥ 4♦ 3♣ 2♥ and Q♦ J♦ 10♦ 9♦ 7♥, the first hand wins because it has the high card (K♠). Between two flushes, A♥ 7♥ 5♥ 3♥ 2♥ and K♦ Q♦ J♦ 10♦ 8♦, again the first hand wins because it has the high card (A♥). 3. The card itself. “You don’t have a pair either? What’s your high card?” 4. In the rank of hands, the hand that ranks below one pair and is otherwise known as no pair.

(v) 1. To win a pot by virtue of holding the high card. For example, if your opponent holds K♠ 5♥ 4♦ 3♣ 2♥ and you hold Q♦ J♦ 10♦ 9♦ 7♥, he has high-carded you. 2. Cut cards, with the high card winning.

(v) See high-card (definition 2).

(n, v phrase) Same as high spade, substituting club.

(n, v phrase) Same as high spade, substituting diamond.

(n phrase) 1. High draw poker. 2. In a high-low split game, a draw for the high half of the pot, such as four cards to a straight or flush.

(n phrase) 1. Any form of draw poker played for high. 2. California draw.

(n phrase) High half.

(n phrase) One of the later rounds of betting in structured limit.

(adj) Pertaining to a game played at higher stakes (than the one under discussion). “This low limit is boring. Let’s all move to a higher-limit table.”

(n phrase) In high-low split, the part of the pot that goes to the best high hand. “I took the high half with just a pair of deuces.” Also, high end.

(n phrase) 1. In high-low split, a hand that wins the high half, or is in contention for it. “My two pair was the high hand.” 2. More generally, in high poker, the winner of a pot, that is, the best hand. “There were six players at the showdown, and, amazingly, my pair of deuces was the high hand.”

(n, v phrase) Same as high spade, substituting heart.

(n phrase) Big limit.

(adj) Big-limit.

(n) 1. High-low split. 2. A low straight, so called because it would be eligible to win both ways in a high-low game. In ace-to-five lowball, someone who wins with 7-6-5-4-3 might say “high-low” as he shows his cards.

(n) High-low split.

(n) A pot or hand played in a high-low split game.

(n phrase) A form of poker in which the pot is split between the highest and lowest active qualifying hands (if there are qualifiers, that is certain minimum holdings for high and for low) or between the highest and lowest hands (if there are no qualifiers). If there are qualifiers, sometimes only the highest or lowest hand wins the whole pot. Sometimes both the highest and lowest hand are held by the same player, in which case that player wins the whole pot. (See scoop, definition 4.) This is further complicated in games in which there is a declaration, that is, the use of chips or voice to indicate whether players are going for high, low, or both. Declaration is not common in public cardrooms, where high-low split games are usually played with what is called cards speak. In games with a declaration, the pot is split between the holder of the highest hand who declares high and the holder of the lowest hand who declares low. (This makes it theoretically possible for the highest hand to win low and the lowest hand to win high. More common is a hand that would normally be in contention for only one direction (that is, high or low) to declare and win the other direction.) High-low split is often called simply high-low.

(n phrase) A game in which high-low split is played.

(n) High-low split.

(n phrase) See Mambo stud.

(n phrase) 1. In a stud game, the player whose board (definition 2) currently has the highest card combination. See high (definition 6). 2. In high-low split, the holder of the hand that wins high.

(adv phrase) High on the board.

(adv phrase) A game played for high (and specifically neither for low, definition 2, nor high-low split).

(adv phrase) In a stud game, describing a board that currently has the highest card combination. See high (definition 6).

(n phrase) High draw poker.

(v) Try to increase the stakes in a game, or try to run over the game by constantly betting more than the other players feel comfortable with. “We were happy playing $2-to-go until you came along jacking up every pot; quit trying to high-roll the game.”

(n phrase) Someone who likes to play for large stakes, or in the biggest games.

(n phrase) High society chips. “Gimme a stack of high society.”

(n phrase) Chips of the largest denomination in a particular establishment. In a small game, in which dollar chips are used for most bets, and $5 chips are termed society chips, $20 or $100 chips would be considered high society chips; in a $20 game, with most bets made with $5 chips, high society chips would probably be $1,000 chips.

(n phrase) 1. A side bet in which two or more players (usually in a draw or lowball game) agree that whoever has the highest card in the spade suit on the next hand (or, if no one has a spade that hand, on the subsequent hand or hands) wins something, usually a prearranged bet, or a free drink bought by the loser or losers. — (v phrase) 2. To play for the high spade. “I’ll high spade you for the drinks” means that if, for example, I get the 7♠ on the next hand and you get no spades or a spade lower than the 7, you’re supposed to buy me a drink, if you agree to the proposition. Sometimes called just spade. For both meanings, compare with low spade. High heart, high diamond, and high club also exist.

(n phrase) A poker game played only in private or home games, a form of seven-card stud in which the pot is split between the holder of the highest hand and the holder of the highest spade in the hole. Also known as Black Maria, Chicago.

(n phrase) 1. High-stakes game. 2. The play in such a game or for such stakes.

(adj) Pertaining to a game played for larger amounts than the other games in a particular establishment, or one in which big bets are permitted and common. Also, to a private game played for relatively large amounts.

(n phrase) Any game played for larger amounts than the other games in a particular establishment, or one in which big bets are permitted and common. Sometimes called big bet game, although that term is more commonly applied to a pot-limit or no-limit game. Also, a private game played for relatively large amounts.

(n phrase) The part of a cardroom in which games are played for much higher stakes that the rest of the cardroom. The high-stakes section in a brick and mortar cardroom is often roped off from the rest of the cardroom or in a separate room. Sometimes called nosebleed section.

(n phrase) See discussion at variance.

(n phrase) A game featuring, naturally enough, high variance.

(n phrase) See discussion at variance.

(n) Hijack position. “I raised from the hijack.”

(n phrase) The position to the right of the cutoff. Sometimes shortened to hijack.

(adv) Obstacle to overcome. “You’re stuck $100? That’s no hill to climb for a stepper.”

(n) Nonstandard spelling of high-low.

(n) Nonstandard spelling of high-low.

(v) 1. Make a hand, usually implying having caught a needed card. In ace-to-five lowball you might hear, “I have a pat eight. Did you make yours?” “Yeah, I hit.” 2. Arrive. “The ace of hearts hit on the river.” — (n) 3. The needed card that makes a particular hand.

(v phrase) Sit down briefly, win a few hands, and jump up. One who plays this way is called a hit-and-run artist.

(n phrase) One who plays briefly in each of several games, usually with the intention of having a short winning session in each. This kind of a player is usually disliked, because he takes money out of the game, leaving the remaining players trying to win from a reduced pool of chips, or giving them no chance to win back their losses from this player. Also, chopper.

(n phrase) See catch a piece of the flop.

(v phrase) Make the specific hand one is drawing to.

(n) 1. An unexpected participant in your pot; usually preceded by pick up a. “I was trying to win all Matt’s chips, but I picked up a hitchhiker, and she drew out on both of us.” 2. An expected participant, generally someone you’re trying to trap. “Looks like I got a hitchhiker” could be heard from someone who raised a large amount in a big bet game and probably will win the pot, including many chips from the fool (that is, the hitchhiker) who elected to trail along. 3. Someone who comes in cold to a pot, that is, someone who has not yet had the opportunity to call any bets and, when a pot has already been raised, calls the initial bet plus the raise. For example, you open the pot in a limit game. I make it two bets, that is, I raise. Now the action comes around to the player to the right of the dealer, who calls the two bets. (See come in cold.) That player is called a hitchhiker. Also called fence hopper.

(v phrase) In a flop game, having a hand greatly improved by the flop, as, for example, by making top set or a straight or flush.

(expression) 1. “Let’s go.” That might be, depending on the situation, “I’ll call your large bet,” “I’ll draw cards,” “I’ll play in this pot.” 2. “I raise.”

(v phrase) Hit (definition 2).

(v phrase) Perform a cheating maneuver in which the deck is cut at a prearranged spot, often managed by shuffling in a brief. Also, force the cut.

(v phrase). Cash out. See cage.

(v phrase) 1. Draw one or more cards. “When he stood pat, I knew I had to hit the deck.” In lowball, usually implies a one-card draw. 2. Make a hand. “Things have been running so bad for me the only time I can hit the deck is when I’m drawing dead.”

(v phrase) Make the specific hand one is drawing to.

(v phrase) In a flop game, have a hand be improved by the flop.

(v phrase) In a flop game, have a hand be greatly improved by the flop, as, for example, make top set or a straight or flush. Also, (be) hit hard by the flop.

(v phrase) 1. In draw poker, draw two to a pair, or one to three of a kind, with a kicker, instead of drawing three to the pair alone or two to the trips, and catch another card of the same rank as the kicker. If you draw to a pair of kings with an ace and make two pair, aces and kings, you hit the kicker. 2. In hold’em, catch a card of the same rank as your unpaired card. For example, you start with K♠ J♠. The flop is K♥ 7♣ 2♠. The turn is J♥. You just hit the kicker. 3. In seven-card stud, catch a card of the same rank as one of your side cards, when you already have a pair.

(v phrase) Have to leave a game because one busts out of a tournament or regular game. “I put all my chips in on pocket aces. Emilie made an inside straight and I hit the rail.” Also see on the rail.

(v phrase) Stand pat. So called because a player often hits the table with his hand when it is his turn to announce his draw if he has a pat hand. Also, knuckle, rap.

(v phrase) See get hit by the deck.

(n) Chat term for “high-limit.”

(n) Chat term for “high-low.”

(n phrase) In hold’em, two 7s as starting cards. (That’s what they look like. Sort of.)

(n) A game or tournament format in which three forms of poker are played in rotation, usually either half an hour of each or one round of each. The games are limit hold’em, Omaha/8, and seven-card stud high-low (the e standing for 8-or-better). Also see half-and-half game, H.O.R.S.E., H.O.R.S.E.L., H.O.S.E.,R.O.E.

(v) Go hog. Also, hog it.

(n) Scooper.

(n) The jack of spades. May have been a cousin of Charlemagne (see Charles), or perhaps Ogier the Dane from the Song of Roland, the oldest surviving major work of French literature, usually dated to the middle of the 12th century.

(v phrase) Go hog.

(v) Stand up. “I was lucky that the hand held when my opponent had nearly half the deck going for him.”

(n phrase) Be dealt many winning hands, particularly with few losing hands in between.

(v phrase) Hold a lot of hands.

(v phrase) 1. In lowball, cause another player to stand pat on a hand that is a loser, and not draw a card to a hand that might otherwise win. “John acted like he was going to draw two cards, and that held Henry dead on his 9-5, but in actuality John had an 8-7.” Also, hold [someone] dead. 2. In lowball, decline to draw cards based on another player’s actions on his hand. “Sarah drew two cards, which held me dead on my 10-nothing.”

(n phrase) A form of poker that originated in the Southwest, moved to Nevada casinos, and then expanded almost universally until it is now the most popular form of poker, with two cards dealt face down to each player, and five community cards dealt face up in the center of the table. The game has four betting rounds, one after the first two downcards, one after the first three of the community cards (called the flop) are simultaneously dealt, one after the next upcard (called the turn or fourth street), and one after the fifth (called the river or fifth street). The “official” name of the game is Texas hold’em, but just hold’em is the more common name.

(n) Alternative spelling of hold’em.

(n) High-low split hold’em, with an 8-or-better qualifier for low.

(n phrase) Wild Hold’em Fold’em.

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Foreword | Introduction

A B C D E F G H I J K L M

N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Entire dictionary copyright (©) 2010, Michael Wiesenberg. Online publication rights owned by Mike Caro / MCU. No part of this dictionary may be republished without written permission.