Of course, you can’t really master poker if you don’t know the right terms. So here is a short list of important terms you need to know if you want to play poker:

Blinds

Mandatory bets made by the player left of the dealer (small blind) and the player left of that player (big blind). The big blind is double, or conveniently close to double the small blind.

Button

The marker used to designate the player who is acting as the dealer for that round.

Buy-In

The amount of money required to sit down at a poker table. In tournaments the entry-fee is considered the buy-in, and is returned to the players via the prize pool.

Community Cards

Also known as the board. The cards that are dealt face up on the table and are shared by all players.

Fold

To fold (also to drop) is to withdraw from the current round and surrender your claim to the pot.

Flop

The first three cards dealt face up on the board. All three cards are dealt at the same time.

Muck

At showdown time to muck means to return your cards to the dealer face down. You hereby surrender your claim to the pot. The muck is the pile of folded and discarded cards.

Pocket Cards

Also referred to as hole cards. The two cards dealt face down to each player at the start of the hand.

Pot

The chips available to be won.

River

Also known as fifth street. The fifth community card dealt. It is also the final community card to be dealt.

Stakes

Stakes are the fixed amounts to be bet in Limit games.

Turn

also known as fourth street. The fourth community card dealt.