“Check blind” is when players check without looking at their cards, which is why it can also be called “check in the dark.” This term sometimes means that a player out of position checks before the next street is dealt so the action is instantly on their opponent. Usually, this occurs when you were significantly ahead in the game, only for your opponent to hit the card they needed and win. Bad BeatĪ “bad beat” is probably one of the most frustrating ways to lose a game of poker.

That said, different rules apply to cards that are exposed during the deal. Most house rules will ignore a boxed card, placing it aside so it isn’t used in the game. The poker term “boxed card” is used to refer to the rare occurrence of a card appearing turned the wrong way in a deck. If the 9 did appear on the turn, the straight would be pretty well disguised and could result in a player “busting” another player. For example, if you were holding 7 spades and 10 clubs on 6 diamonds, 8 spades and 4 clubs, you’d have to hit a 9 to make a straight. Belly BusterĪ “belly buster” is an inside straight draw. When there’s a draw in Texas Hold’em or Omaha poker variants that call for both the turn and river cards (explained further on,) a “backdoor” flush or “backdoor” straight draw means that running cards are needed to complete the draw.

To get you started, so you know your “pocket rockets” from your “big slick,” this blog explains many of the terms you’ll come across when playing poker live or online. If you’re thinking about starting to play online poker or even if you’re relatively new to the game, terms in poker can sound like a whole new language - welcome to the world of funny and confounding poker lingo.

Wheel house poker term