Virtually every new trend brings with it a slew of lingo which is pertinent to that trend and that trend only. There is bingo lingo, used obviously by online bingo players, and there is also poker lingo. If you are confused by words such as “flop”, “blind”, “button” “donkey” or title, perhaps we can help you out with this brief article.
Poker lingo consists of word or phrases which may be completely unidentifiable by outsiders and a “limping fish with a gut shot” may seem like some gung-ho hunter gatherer term, but not to an insider. However, a new online poker player would be excused for not knowing the hell what this means.
Daily, poker players are coming up with more of this terminology and it catches on like wildfire, so if could be worth your wile to find out what hitting the nuts on a rainbow flop means, or you may get caught with your pants down. This is how the online poker world works and if you want to make this world work for you, you have to know what’s going on.
Some terminology from the lexicon of poker phrases will help you to speak the language of poker more fluently, for example “The Flop”. Simple, the first 3 community card in a game of Omaha, Texas Hold’em or any other variation of poker where community cards are used. The flop’s origin is believe to have been derived from the way the dealer places the cards, but who actually know, its origin is shrouded in mystery.
What about “Nuts?” This is something I would say if I didn’t get a starting hand, as in “awww…nuts!” But this is not so, nuts is the best hand at that particular moment. I may not be the nuts on the flop however. This word has a history, in the wild west where poker was played best a player may wager their homestead or their wagon on a game. If the wagon was wagers the nuts would be taken from the wheels to prevent the player from taking off with the wager if he lost.
The “Donkey” is a poker insult, probably the worst you will get and it is commonly used to describe a sub-optimal player. However, as with all insults is can be used in other derogatory ways. “Fish” comes from the same barrel of fish and is also an insult, though not as bad as a donkey. A fish is what a seasoned player calls a newcomer, because taking advantage of them is as simple as catching fish in a barrel.
“Blinds” is easy, these are the forced bets made by players prior to cards being dealt. There is a big blind and a small blind and these increase at set levels during tournament play. This is done to encourage players to make wagers, they are also relative to set limits.
The “Button” is the indicator for the nominal dealer, and it moves one place clockwise on every hand. Never limp into a pot or tilt, but learn as much as you can about poker lingo, especially if you are a fish, you don’t want the pros to think you’re a donkey!