Lock
A lock is a hand that cannot lose. It is also called the nuts, or a cinch.
The simple explanation
If you have a lock, nobody can beat you, no matter what cards come.
A closer look
True locks are rare, since the board may change. Players say 'lock' for the best hand at the moment. Be careful: a hand that is a lock on the flop may not be one on the river. A lock still needs good play to win the most.
A practical example
On the river, a player has a royal flush and says, 'I have a lock.'
Full explanation
A lock is a hand that cannot lose. It is also called the nuts, or a cinch.
A lock is a hand that cannot lose.
It is the same as the nuts.
True locks are rare.
The board may change.
The nuts
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of clubs (Ac)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB AAce of hearts (Ah)KKing of hearts (Kh) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of clubs (Ac)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB AAce of hearts (Ah)KKing of hearts (Kh) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of clubs (Ac)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB AAce of hearts (Ah)KKing of hearts (Kh) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B holds ace-king of hearts and the flop is queen, jack and ten of hearts. This is a royal flush, which nobody can beat. A hand that cannot be beaten is the nuts.
Board: QQueen of hearts (Qh)JJack of hearts (Jh)1010 of hearts (Th)
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of clubs (Ac)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB AAce of hearts (Ah)KKing of hearts (Kh) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.