Table Talk: What the Poker Players are Saying

Poker tables are the great intimidating mystery of casinos to many. You love poker, Texas holdem, and all other poker card games, but you stay at the one armed bandit and blackjack for fear of the table. It seems so impersonal and like you are trading on someone's turf. So in order to fit in better, here is some poker table gambling lingo that may serve you well when you belly up to the table the next time.

First is 'action.' You will hear that word a lot in a casino. Action refers to the chance a player has to act. For instance, the dealer might tell you, when it's your term, that it is your action. .

Another is 'ante'. An ante is a tiny bet that is laced at the beginning of a poker hand right into the pot. This gets at least some money in the pot to start. In some games, like holdem games, there is often a blind instead of an ante. In the more traditional games like five card draw and stud games, though, antes are the rule much more than the exception.

A 'blind' is a bet that is forced by rules. It is a bet put in by one or sometimes two players to the left of the dealer. This is just another way of getting money into the pot to start the hand. Blinds are more common in Texas Hold em and other such games, as opposed to 'ante' games.

The 'button' is essentially just a disk that is used to mark who the dealer is. Generally it ceramic disks that will help you know who is dealing, or who is holding the dealer spot when there is a casino dealer running the game. It is particularly useful when keeping track of who should be part of the blind.

Check raise is a confusing word to many. However, it is really quite simple. It is the event in which the player checks and then raises when the person behind them bets. Some people claim it is a dirty play, but almost every casino allows it so have at it!

If all the players at the table call before the flop in a game of Texas Holdem, then the pot becomes a family pot. On the other hand, one that is being contested by only two players is known as a heads up.

Of course there are as many poker terms and jargon out there as there are students. So, in order to better understand the game and feel more comfortable at the tables, take some time and learn the lingo. So take your time and feel more comfortable, and you will be sitting at those casino poker tables before you know it, racking, joking, and feeling good about being there.

All Catholics should know the best places to have online fun. That's why Catholic Gambling Is so popular. CatholicBets.com brings all the best gambling, bingo, and Christian/Catholic dating information into one location!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/'expert=Scott_Hargrave

This article courtesy of  http://www.dimensive.com.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author
name and URL remain intact.