Poker Glossary & Terminology
Complete A-Z Dictionary of Poker Terms, Slang & Concepts
Understanding Poker Language
Poker has developed its own rich vocabulary over centuries of play. From the smoky saloons of the Old West to modern online platforms, players have created terms for every situation, hand, and strategy. Whether you're watching your first Texas Hold'em tournament or diving into mixed games like HORSE, understanding poker terminology is essential for following the action and improving your game.
This comprehensive glossary covers fundamental concepts, betting terminology, hand nicknames, positional terms, and advanced strategy language. Each term is defined clearly with context for when and how it's used. According to the World Series of Poker, standardized terminology helps ensure fair play and clear communication at tables worldwide.
Use the alphabetical navigation below to jump to specific letters, or browse categories to learn related terms together. For hand strength references, see our complete Poker Hand Rankings guide.
Quick Navigation
A
Action
Any betting activity at the table. "The action is on you" means it's your turn. A game with "a lot of action" features heavy betting and large pots.
Aggressive
A playing style characterized by frequent betting and raising rather than checking and calling. Aggression puts pressure on opponents and can win pots without showdown.
All-In
Betting all of your remaining chips. You can't be forced out of the main pot when all-in, though side pots may form if others continue betting.
Ante
A forced bet that all players must post before cards are dealt. Common in Stud games and tournament play. Antes create initial pot value.
Angle Shooting
Using unethical but technically legal tactics to gain an edge. Examples include ambiguous betting motions or misleading verbal statements. Poor poker etiquette that serious players avoid.
B
Backdoor
A draw that requires hitting on both the turn and river. A "backdoor flush draw" on the flop needs two more cards of the same suit. Backdoor draws add small amounts of equity.
Bad Beat
Losing a hand where you were a significant favorite. Your pocket Aces losing to someone's 7-2 that rivered two pair is a classic bad beat. Many casinos offer bad beat jackpots for exceptionally unlikely losses.
Bankroll
The total amount of money you have set aside specifically for poker. Proper bankroll management is essential for surviving variance and playing at appropriate stakes.
Bet
The first chips wagered in a betting round. Once someone bets, subsequent players can call, raise, or fold. Distinguished from a raise, which increases a previous bet.
Big Blind
The larger of two forced bets in Hold'em and Omaha. Posted by the player two seats left of the button. Typically equal to the minimum bet at that limit.
Blank
A card that appears to help no one's hand. A deuce on the river when the board already shows high cards is typically a blank. Also called a "brick."
Blinds
Forced bets posted before cards are dealt in Hold'em and Omaha. The small blind and big blind rotate around the table with the dealer button.
Bluff
Betting or raising with a weak hand to make opponents fold better hands. Successful bluffing is essential to profitable poker. See our complete bluffing strategy guide.
Board
The community cards visible to all players. In Texas Hold'em, the board consists of the flop (3 cards), turn (1 card), and river (1 card). Reading the board is a critical skill.
Boat
Slang for a full house. For example, "Kings full of Jacks" or "Kings over Jacks." A full house contains three of a kind plus a pair.
Broadway
The highest possible straight: 10-J-Q-K-A. Also refers to any card Ten or higher (the "Broadway cards"). These high cards are premium starting hand components.
Bubble
The tournament position just before the money. If 100 players enter and 15 cash, the bubble bursts when the 16th player is eliminated. Bubble play involves unique ICM considerations.
Button
The dealer position, marked by a circular disc. The button acts last post-flop, providing maximum positional advantage. Also called "the dealer" or "BTN."
Buy-In
The amount required to join a cash game or tournament. Cash games typically have minimum and maximum buy-ins (e.g., 50-100 big blinds). Tournament buy-ins are fixed.
C
Call
Matching the current bet to stay in the hand. Calling too frequently is a common leak among new players. Good players often prefer raising or folding to calling.
Calling Station
A passive player who calls too often and rarely folds or raises. Calling stations are difficult to bluff but easy to value bet against. Adjust by betting thinner for value.
Card Dead
A period of receiving consistently weak starting hands. Being card dead is frustrating but normal variance. Good players stay patient and avoid forcing action.
Check
Passing the action without betting when no bet is required. If no one bets after you check, you remain in the hand without investing additional chips.
Check-Raise
Checking with the intention of raising after an opponent bets. A powerful move that can extract value or represent strength. Part of a value betting strategy.
Chop
Splitting the pot when players have equal hands. Also refers to the blinds agreeing to take their blinds back when everyone else folds pre-flop.
Coin Flip
A situation where two hands have approximately equal chance of winning, like AK vs QQ. Common in all-in situations where one player has a pair and the other has overcards.
Combo Draw
A hand with multiple drawing possibilities. A flush draw plus an open-ended straight draw is a powerful combo draw with many outs. Use our outs calculator to count.
Community Cards
Cards dealt face-up that all players share. Texas Hold'em has five community cards; Omaha has five. Also called "the board."
Continuation Bet (C-Bet)
A bet made by the pre-flop raiser on the flop, continuing their aggressive line. C-betting is a fundamental strategy element. Good players balance c-bets with checks.
Counterfeit
When board cards reduce the value of your hand. If you have A-2 on a 3-4-5 board (wheel) and another 3 comes, you're counterfeited as everyone now plays the board straight.
Cutoff
The position directly to the right of the button. The cutoff has strong position and can often steal blinds when the button folds. Abbreviated "CO."
D
Dead Money
Chips in the pot from players who have folded. Also used to describe weak tournament players who are unlikely to cash. Dead money increases pot odds for remaining players.
Dealer
The person who distributes cards. In home games, players deal in rotation. In casinos, a professional dealer handles cards while a button marks the theoretical dealer position.
Dominated
Having a hand that shares a card with an opponent's better hand. AK dominates AQ because if an Ace comes, AK wins with a better kicker. Dominated hands win roughly 25% of the time.
Donk Bet
When a player who called pre-flop leads out betting on the flop instead of checking to the raiser. Named for "donkey" (weak player), though strategic donk bets exist.
Double Up
Winning an all-in hand to double your stack. Essential for tournament recovery. Also called "doubling through" an opponent.
Draw
A hand that needs improvement to win. A flush draw has four suited cards needing one more. Use pot odds to determine if calling is profitable.
Drawing Dead
Having no chance to win regardless of future cards. If you have a flush draw but an opponent has a full house, you're drawing dead even if you complete your flush.
Dry Board
A community card texture with few drawing possibilities. K-7-2 rainbow is a dry board with no flush or straight draws. Dry boards favor the pre-flop aggressor.
E
Early Position
The first positions to act after the blinds (UTG, UTG+1). Early position requires tighter hand selection because many players act after you. Abbreviated "EP."
Effective Stack
The smaller stack between you and your opponent that determines maximum potential win. If you have $500 and an opponent has $200, the effective stack is $200.
Equity
Your percentage chance of winning the pot at any moment. See our complete poker equity guide and use the equity calculator.
Expected Value (EV)
The average profit or loss from a decision over many repetitions. Positive EV (+EV) plays are profitable long-term. Calculate with our EV calculator.
F
Family Pot
A pot where most or all players see the flop. Family pots are common in loose home games and low-stakes casino games. Adjust by playing tighter pre-flop and value betting more post-flop.
Fast Play
Betting and raising aggressively with a strong hand to build the pot, rather than slow playing. Fast play denies free cards and maximizes value against calling stations.
Fish
A weak, losing player. The term comes from the predator/prey dynamic at poker tables. Professionals seek games with many fish to maximize profit.
Float
Calling a bet with a weak hand intending to bluff on a later street. Floating is most effective in position against players who c-bet frequently but give up easily.
Flop
The first three community cards dealt simultaneously in Hold'em and Omaha. The flop is when players form five-card hand combinations for the first time.
Flush
Five cards of the same suit. Flushes rank above straights and below full houses. The highest card determines flush strength when comparing.
Fold
Surrendering your hand and forfeiting any claim to the pot. Folding when beaten is essential for long-term profitability. You can't fold to a check.
Fold Equity
The value gained when opponents fold to your bet. Even with a weak hand, fold equity makes bluffs profitable. Fold equity is highest against tight players.
Four-Bet (4-Bet)
The fourth bet in a sequence: open raise, 3-bet, 4-bet. Four-betting typically represents extreme strength (AA, KK) or is a bluff with blockers.
Free Card
Seeing the next community card without having to call a bet. Drawing hands want free cards; made hands should bet to deny them.
Freeroll
A situation where you can't lose but might win more. Also refers to tournaments with no entry fee. Example: You hold A♠K♠ against A♥K♦ on A♦4♠5♠—you can tie or hit a flush to win.
Full House
Three of a kind plus a pair. Also called a "boat" or "full boat." The three-of-a-kind determines rank; "Kings full" beats "Queens full."
G
Grinder
A player who earns consistent, modest profits through patient, solid play. Grinders focus on low-variance strategies and proper bankroll management.
GTO (Game Theory Optimal)
A strategy that cannot be exploited. GTO play balances value bets and bluffs at mathematically correct frequencies. Modern solvers calculate GTO solutions. See research from Science on AI poker breakthroughs.
Gutshot
An inside straight draw needing one specific card. Holding 9-8 on a board of 6-5-2 is a gutshot needing a 7. Gutshots have 4 outs (~8% chance with one card to come).
H
Heads-Up
Playing against a single opponent. Heads-up poker requires different strategies including wider ranges and more aggression. See our heads-up strategy guide.
Hero Call
Calling a large bet with a marginal hand because you believe your opponent is bluffing. Hero calls require excellent read ability and courage.
Hijack
The position two seats right of the button (one left of the cutoff). A late position with good steal opportunities. Abbreviated "HJ."
Hit
When a community card improves your hand. "I hit my set" means you made three of a kind with a pocket pair. Also called "catching" a card.
Hole Cards
Private cards dealt face-down to each player. Texas Hold'em deals two hole cards; Omaha deals four. Also called "pocket cards" or "down cards."
House Edge
The mathematical advantage the casino has in player-versus-house games. In poker, the house takes a rake but doesn't have an edge against players.
I
ICM (Independent Chip Model)
A mathematical model for calculating tournament equity based on chip stacks and payout structure. ICM affects decisions near the money. Use our ICM calculator.
Implied Odds
The additional chips you expect to win on future streets if you hit your draw. Implied odds justify calling with drawing hands even when pot odds alone don't. Calculate with our implied odds calculator.
In Position
Acting after your opponent in a betting round. Being in position provides informational advantage and control over pot size. Position is poker's most valuable asset.
Inside Straight Draw
A straight draw needing one specific card in the middle. Also called a "gutshot" or "belly buster." Example: 9-8-6-5 needs a 7.
J
Jam
Betting all-in. "I jammed the river" means going all-in on the final street. Common in tournament play with shorter stacks.
K
Kicker
An unpaired card that determines the winner when two players have the same hand rank. If both have a pair of Aces, the highest kicker wins. Kicker problems often affect AK vs AQ.
L
LAG (Loose-Aggressive)
A playing style featuring many hands played with frequent betting and raising. LAGs create action and put maximum pressure on opponents. High-variance but potentially very profitable.
Late Position
The hijack, cutoff, and button—the last positions to act. Late position allows wider opening ranges because fewer players act after you.
Limp
Calling the big blind pre-flop rather than raising. Limping is generally considered weak play in modern poker, though some situations warrant it.
Live Cards
Hole cards that aren't likely duplicated in opponents' hands. In Stud games, visible folded cards reveal which cards are "live" (still available) or "dead."
Loose
Playing many hands, including marginal ones. Loose players see lots of flops but often with weak holdings. The opposite of "tight."
M
M-Ratio
Your stack divided by the blinds and antes, indicating how many orbits you can survive. An M of 10 means you can last 10 orbits without playing. Calculate with our M-ratio calculator.
Made Hand
A complete hand that doesn't need improvement. A pair on the flop is a made hand, unlike a flush draw which needs another card.
Maniac
An extremely aggressive player who bets and raises with abandon. Maniacs create wild action but are exploitable by waiting for strong hands.
Micro Stakes
The lowest stakes available, typically $0.01/$0.02 to $0.05/$0.10 online. Micro stakes are ideal for beginners learning the game with minimal risk.
Middle Position
Seats between early position and late position. Middle position requires balanced play—wider than EP but tighter than LP.
Muck
To fold or discard your hand face-down. "He mucked his cards" means he folded. The muck is also the discard pile where folded cards go.
Multi-Way Pot
A pot with three or more players. Multi-way pots require tighter ranges and less bluffing. See our multi-way pot strategy.
N
Nash Equilibrium
A game theory concept where no player can improve by changing strategy if others keep theirs unchanged. Nash push/fold charts define optimal short-stack tournament play.
Nit
An extremely tight player who only plays premium hands. Nits are easy to read and exploit by stealing their blinds, but dangerous when they bet.
No-Limit
A betting structure allowing any bet size up to your entire stack at any time. No-limit Texas Hold'em is the most popular poker format. See our betting structures guide.
Nuts
The best possible hand given the current board. If the board shows A-K-Q-J-2 with no flush, holding 10-x is the nut straight. "Second nuts" is the second-best possible hand.
O
Offsuit
Hole cards of different suits. AK offsuit (AKo) is less valuable than AK suited (AKs) because it can't make a flush with both cards.
Open
The first voluntary bet in a round. "Opening" pre-flop means raising when action folds to you. Opening ranges are position-dependent.
Open-Ended Straight Draw (OESD)
A straight draw that can be completed with cards at either end. Holding 9-8 on a 7-6-x board can hit a 10 or 5. OESDs have 8 outs (~17% with one card).
Out of Position (OOP)
Acting before your opponent in a betting round. Playing out of position is disadvantageous because opponents act with more information.
Outs
Cards that will improve your hand to a probable winner. A flush draw has 9 outs; a gutshot has 4. Count outs with our outs calculator.
Overbet
A bet larger than the current pot size. Overbets are polarizing moves used for massive value or big bluffs. Part of advanced bet sizing strategy.
Overcards
Hole cards higher than any board card. If you hold AK on a 9-7-2 flop, you have two overcards. Overcards have 6 outs to make top pair.
Overpair
A pocket pair higher than all board cards. Pocket Kings on a Q-8-4 board is an overpair. Overpairs are strong but vulnerable to sets and two pair.
P
Passive
A playing style characterized by checking and calling rather than betting and raising. Passive play is generally less profitable than aggressive play.
Polarized Range
A betting range containing very strong hands and bluffs but few medium-strength hands. River bets are often polarized—you're either betting for value or bluffing.
Position
Your seat relative to the dealer button, determining your order of action. Position is poker's most important strategic concept. See our complete position guide.
Post
To put forced bets (blinds or antes) into the pot. New players joining a cash game must post a blind to receive cards.
Pot
The accumulated chips in the center from all betting. The pot is awarded to the winner at showdown or when all others fold.
Pot Committed
Having invested enough chips that folding would be mathematically incorrect. When pot committed, you should typically continue regardless of the action.
Pot Odds
The ratio of the current pot to the cost of calling. If the pot is $100 and you must call $50, you're getting 2:1 pot odds. Calculate with our pot odds calculator.
Pre-Flop
The betting round before the flop is dealt. Pre-flop decisions focus on hand selection and position. Train with our preflop trainer.
Premium Hands
The strongest starting hands: AA, KK, QQ, AK. Premium hands should be played aggressively in almost all situations.
Probe Bet
A bet made out of position when the in-position player checked back the previous street. Probing tests if the opponent is weak after showing passivity.
Q
Quads
Four of a kind. Also called "quad" followed by the rank, like "quad Aces." The second-strongest hand, beaten only by a straight flush.
R
Rainbow
A flop with three different suits, making flush draws impossible. K♠-8♥-3♦ is a rainbow flop. Rainbow boards are relatively dry.
Raise
Increasing the current bet amount. A raise demonstrates strength (or represents it) and forces opponents to commit more chips or fold.
Rake
The house fee taken from each pot in cash games, typically 5-10% up to a cap. Understanding rake is important for calculating true win rates. The American Gaming Association provides industry standards.
Range
All possible hands an opponent might have based on their actions. Good players think in terms of ranges, not specific hands. Visualize with our range visualizer.
Read
An assessment of an opponent's hand or intentions based on tells, betting patterns, or history. Good reads come from observation and experience.
Rebuy
Purchasing more chips after losing your stack. Rebuy tournaments allow purchasing additional chips during a specific period.
Represent
Betting as if you have a specific hand. "I represented the flush" means betting a line consistent with having a flush, whether you have it or not.
River
The fifth and final community card in Hold'em and Omaha. Also called "Fifth Street." River decisions are often the most consequential.
Rock
An extremely tight, patient player. Rocks wait for premium hands and rarely bluff. Similar to "nit" but with a slightly less negative connotation.
ROI (Return on Investment)
Your profit as a percentage of tournament buy-ins. A 20% ROI means earning $20 profit per $100 in buy-ins on average.
Royal Flush
The highest possible hand: A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit. The probability of a royal flush is approximately 1 in 650,000 hands.
Run It Twice
An agreement to deal remaining community cards twice when all-in, splitting the pot based on both runouts. Reduces variance in cash games.
Runner-Runner
Hitting on both turn and river to complete a hand. "Runner-runner flush" means catching suited cards on turn and river. Same as "backdoor."
S
Satellite
A tournament where the prize is entry to a larger tournament. Satellites allow players to buy into expensive events at reduced cost.
Scare Card
A community card that could complete obvious draws. An Ace on the turn can be a scare card if there are possible straights or an Ace-high flush completes.
Semi-Bluff
Betting aggressively with a drawing hand that can improve to win even if called. Semi-bluffs have fold equity plus equity from making the best hand.
Set
Three of a kind made with a pocket pair and one board card. A set is distinguished from "trips" (one hole card plus two board cards). Sets are well-disguised and extremely powerful.
Shark
A skilled, winning player who preys on weaker opponents. The opposite of a "fish." Sharks seek tables with profitable spots.
Short Stack
Having fewer chips than typical for a game, usually under 30 big blinds. Short stacks have limited strategic options and often must play push-or-fold poker.
Shove
Going all-in. "He shoved the river" means betting all remaining chips on the final street. Casual term for jamming.
Showdown
The final phase where remaining players reveal cards to determine the winner. Occurs after all betting is complete. Use our showdown analyzer.
Side Pot
A separate pot created when a player is all-in and others continue betting. The all-in player can only win the main pot, not the side pot.
Slow Play
Playing a strong hand passively to trap opponents. Checking the nuts to induce a bluff is slow playing. Can be profitable but also loses value.
Slow Roll
Deliberately delaying the reveal of a winning hand at showdown to torment an opponent. Considered the worst breach of poker etiquette. See our complete slow rolling guide.
Small Blind
The smaller of two forced bets, posted by the player immediately left of the button. Typically half the big blind.
Snap Call
Calling immediately without hesitation. Snap calls typically indicate a strong, made hand. Timing tells matter in poker.
SPR (Stack-to-Pot Ratio)
Effective stack divided by pot size post-flop. Low SPR favors top pair; high SPR favors draws and sets. Calculate with our SPR calculator.
Squeeze
A pre-flop 3-bet made after there's already a raise and one or more callers. Squeezes apply maximum pressure with dead money in the pot.
Stack
All the chips a player has in front of them. "Deep stacked" means having many big blinds; "short stacked" means having few.
Steal
Raising pre-flop to win the blinds without contest. Stealing is essential from late position. A "blind steal" opens the action hoping everyone folds.
Straight
Five consecutive cards of any suit. A-2-3-4-5 (wheel) through 10-J-Q-K-A (Broadway) are valid straights. Straights rank above three of a kind.
Straddle
A voluntary blind raise (usually 2x BB) posted before cards are dealt. The straddler acts last pre-flop. Straddles increase action but are usually -EV.
String Bet
An illegal bet made in multiple motions without verbal declaration. Only the first motion counts. "Going back to get more chips" is a string bet.
Suck Out
Winning a hand after being a significant underdog. When someone's 7-2 beats your pocket Aces, they sucked out on you. Also called "getting lucky."
Suited
Hole cards of the same suit. AK suited (AKs) can make flushes using both hole cards, adding approximately 2-3% equity over offsuit.
Suited Connectors
Consecutive cards of the same suit, like 9♠8♠. Suited connectors have straight and flush potential, making them profitable in deep-stacked multiway pots.
T
TAG (Tight-Aggressive)
A disciplined style playing few hands but playing them aggressively. TAG is the most profitable basic strategy for most games and stakes.
Tank
Taking a long time to make a decision. "He tanked for five minutes" means he thought very carefully. Excessive tanking is poor etiquette.
Tell
A physical or behavioral clue that reveals information about a player's hand. Shaking hands, eye movements, or speech patterns can be tells. See our poker tells guide.
Thin Value
Betting for value with a marginal hand that can be beaten but still beats enough of the opponent's calling range to be profitable.
Three-Bet (3-Bet)
A re-raise after an initial raise. The blinds are the first bet, the open-raise is the second, and the 3-bet is the third wagering action.
Tight
Playing few hands, only entering pots with strong holdings. Tight players are selective and patient. The opposite of "loose."
Tilt
Emotional frustration causing poor decisions. Bad beats, losing streaks, or personal issues can trigger tilt. Managing tilt is crucial. See our mental game guide.
Top Pair
A pair using the highest card on the board. Holding AK on a K-8-4 flop gives you top pair top kicker (TPTK).
Tournament
A poker competition where players start with equal chips and play until one remains. Payouts go to top finishers. See our tournament strategy guide.
Trips
Three of a kind using one hole card and two board cards. Distinguished from a "set" (pocket pair plus one board card). Trips are more visible and vulnerable.
Turn
The fourth community card in Hold'em and Omaha, dealt after the flop. Also called "Fourth Street." Bets typically double on the turn.
Two Pair
A hand containing two different pairs. Named by the higher pair first: "Aces and Jacks" or "Aces up."
U
Under the Gun (UTG)
The first position to act pre-flop, immediately left of the big blind. UTG is the worst position and requires the tightest opening range.
Underdog
A hand or player expected to lose. If you're 30% to win, you're a 70/30 underdog. Also called "the dog."
V
Value Bet
Betting to get called by worse hands. Value betting is the primary source of profit in poker. See our value betting guide.
Variance
The natural fluctuations in results due to luck. Even winning players experience losing streaks from variance. Simulate with our variance simulator.
Villain
Online poker slang for your opponent in a hand discussion. "Hero" refers to the protagonist (usually yourself).
VPIP
Voluntarily Put money In Pot. A tracking stat showing what percentage of hands a player enters. High VPIP indicates loose play; low VPIP indicates tight play.
W
Wet Board
A community card texture with many drawing possibilities. J♠10♠9♣ is a wet board with straights, flush draws, and straight draws possible.
Wheel
The lowest possible straight: A-2-3-4-5. Also called the "bicycle." In lowball games like Razz, the wheel is the best hand.
Win Rate
Your average profit per 100 hands (bb/100) in cash games or ROI in tournaments. Track with our session tracker.
WSOP
The World Series of Poker, the most prestigious poker tournament series. Held annually in Las Vegas since 1970. The official WSOP website provides schedules and results.
Wrap
A powerful straight draw in Omaha where your four hole cards create many outs. A wrap can have 13-20 outs to make a straight, far more than Hold'em draws.
Popular Hand Nicknames
Poker players have created colorful nicknames for starting hands over generations. Here are some of the most common, as noted by the PokerNews glossary:
Continue Learning
This glossary provides the vocabulary foundation for poker education. For deeper understanding, explore these related resources:
- Poker Hand Rankings - Visual guide to all hand strengths
- Poker Probability & Mathematics - The math behind the terms
- Texas Hold'em Rules - Complete game guide for the most popular variant
- Betting Structures Explained - No-Limit, Pot-Limit, and Fixed-Limit
- Poker Tools & Calculators - Interactive tools for practicing concepts
Play Responsibly
Poker is a game of skill with inherent elements of chance. When playing for real money, always gamble responsibly within your means. Set strict limits on time and money before playing, and never chase losses. If gambling becomes problematic, resources are available through the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-522-4700.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "action" mean in poker?
Action in poker refers to any betting activity including checks, bets, calls, raises, and folds. When it's "your action," it means it's your turn to act. A game with lots of "action" means there's heavy betting and large pots.
What is a "bad beat" in poker?
A bad beat occurs when a strong hand loses to a weaker hand that got lucky on later streets. For example, if you have pocket Aces and lose to someone who called with 7-2 and made two pair on the river, that's a bad beat. Many casinos offer "bad beat jackpots" for exceptionally unlikely losses.
What does "tilt" mean in poker?
Tilt refers to a state of emotional frustration that causes a player to make poor decisions. Common triggers include bad beats, losing streaks, or personal frustrations. Playing on tilt typically results in loose, aggressive, and unprofitable play. Managing tilt is essential for long-term poker success.
What is a "donk bet" in poker?
A donk bet is when a player who called in a previous betting round leads out with a bet on the next street, rather than checking to the aggressor. The term comes from "donkey" (a weak player), though strategic donk bets do exist and can be valid tactics in certain situations.
What does "nuts" mean in poker?
The nuts is the best possible hand given the current board. For example, if the board shows A-K-Q-J-2 with no flush possible, a player holding 10-x has the nut straight. Having the nuts means you cannot be beaten by any other hand. "Second nuts" refers to the second-best possible hand.