AFK
AFK is chat shorthand for 'away from keyboard'.
The simple explanation
AFK is chat shorthand for 'away from keyboard'. A player writes it when he leaves the computer for a moment. At an online poker table the clock keeps running, so an absent player may have his hand folded or checked automatically.
A closer look
The abbreviation comes from online games and chat. In online poker, being away is costly because the timer does not stop. Players use their time bank or sit out before leaving, and many sites remove players who are inactive for a long time. If you plan to step away for more than a moment, the safe choice is to sit out, since a chat message does not protect your hand.
A practical example
A player types 'afk 2 min' in chat and sits out, so his hands are not folded one after another while he is away.
Full explanation
AFK is chat shorthand for ‘away from keyboard’.
AFK stands for ‘away from keyboard’. It describes someone who is not at their computer.
In online poker, a player who is away may run out of time on a hand, and the software folds or checks for him. Sites also set limits on how long a player can sit out.
The responsible way to leave is to click sit out before you step away. This lets the table continue without you.
The abbreviation is common to many online games.
Alternative spelling: Away from Keyboard