In some games every player puts a set amount of chips in the pot before the hand is dealt. Much more common in tournaments.

You are a strong favourite to win the hand, but your opponent hits an unlikely card and wins instead.

A compulsory bet put in before the cards are dealt. Texas hold’em has two: the small blind and the big blind.

Another name for the dealer position at the table. It moves one seat to the left every hand.

You need a certain card or cards to complete your hand. If no card can give you the best hand, you are “drawing dead”.

Any game, hand or stage of a tournament with only two players.

The next-highest card, used to break a tie. If two players have the same pair, the kicker decides the winner.

To fold your hand. Also the pile of discarded cards on the table.

The best possible hand at any given moment.

A separate pot created when a player can’t cover the full bet. They can win the main pot, but not the side pot.

Two or more players have exactly the same hand, so the pot is shared equally.