Poker Glossary
Glossary / Example hands
From definition to decision

Learn one hand at a time.

Follow the action, watch the pot, and understand the idea behind each decision.

More example hands

Page 15 of 17

See a 3-bet

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

Read the example transcript

Player B has the button (BTN). Player C posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player D posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).

  1. Preflop · Pot: 3 chips

    The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Before the flop, the big blind counts as the first bet.

    • Player B BTN Ace of hearts (Ah)Ace of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
    • Player C SB 7 of clubs (7c)2 of diamonds (2d) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
    • Player D BB King of spades (Ks)Queen of hearts (Qh) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
    • Player A Jack of clubs (Jc)10 of clubs (Tc) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
  2. Preflop · Pot: 9 chips

    Player A raises to 6 chips. This is the first raise, sometimes called a 2-bet.

    • Player B BTN Ace of hearts (Ah)Ace of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
    • Player C SB 7 of clubs (7c)2 of diamonds (2d) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
    • Player D BB King of spades (Ks)Queen of hearts (Qh) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
    • Player A Jack of clubs (Jc)10 of clubs (Tc) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
  3. Preflop · Pot: 27 chips

    Player B raises again, to 18 chips. This re-raise is the 3-bet.

    • Player B BTN Ace of hearts (Ah)Ace of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 182 · In this round 18
    • Player C SB 7 of clubs (7c)2 of diamonds (2d) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
    • Player D BB King of spades (Ks)Queen of hearts (Qh) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
    • Player A Jack of clubs (Jc)10 of clubs (Tc) · Stack 194 · In this round 6

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.

Three of a kind

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

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).

  1. 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 Queen of hearts (Qh)Queen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  2. Preflop · Pot: 8 chips

    Player A raises to 6 before the flop.

    • Player A BTN / SB Queen of hearts (Qh)Queen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  3. Preflop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.

    • Player A BTN / SB Queen of hearts (Qh)Queen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
  4. Flop · Pot: 12 chips

    The flop gives Player A a third queen. Three cards of the same rank are three of a kind.

    Board: Queen of clubs (Qc)7 of spades (7s)2 of diamonds (2d)

    • Player A BTN / SB Queen of hearts (Qh)Queen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.

T.J. Cloutier

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

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).

  1. 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 Jack of clubs (Jc)9 of clubs (9c) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
    • Player B BB King of diamonds (Kd)Queen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  2. Preflop · Pot: 8 chips

    Player A raises to 6 with jack and nine of clubs. Some players call this hand T.J. Cloutier.

    • Player A BTN / SB Jack of clubs (Jc)9 of clubs (9c) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB King of diamonds (Kd)Queen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 198 · In this round 2

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.

Top and bottom

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

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).

  1. 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 Ace of spades (As)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
    • Player B BB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  2. Preflop · Pot: 8 chips

    Player A raises to 6 before the flop.

    • Player A BTN / SB Ace of spades (As)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  3. Preflop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.

    • Player A BTN / SB Ace of spades (As)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
  4. Flop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player A pairs the highest card (ace) and the lowest card (four) on the board. This two pair is called top and bottom.

    Board: Ace of clubs (Ac)9 of hearts (9h)4 of clubs (4c)

    • Player A BTN / SB Ace of spades (As)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
    • Player B BB King of clubs (Kc)King of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.

Top pair

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

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).

  1. 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 Ace of hearts (Ah)Queen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
    • Player B BB Jack of diamonds (Jd)9 of clubs (9c) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  2. Preflop · Pot: 8 chips

    Player A raises to 6 before the flop.

    • Player A BTN / SB Ace of hearts (Ah)Queen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB Jack of diamonds (Jd)9 of clubs (9c) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  3. Preflop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.

    • Player A BTN / SB Ace of hearts (Ah)Queen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB Jack of diamonds (Jd)9 of clubs (9c) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
  4. Flop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player B pairs the jack, the highest card on the board. That is top pair.

    Board: Jack of spades (Js)8 of clubs (8c)3 of diamonds (3d)

    • Player A BTN / SB Ace of hearts (Ah)Queen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
    • Player B BB Jack of diamonds (Jd)9 of clubs (9c) · Stack 194 · In this round 0

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.

Top pair, medium kicker

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

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).

  1. 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 Jack of hearts (Jh)10 of diamonds (Td) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Queen of spades (Qs) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  2. Preflop · Pot: 8 chips

    Player A raises to 6 before the flop.

    • Player A BTN / SB Jack of hearts (Jh)10 of diamonds (Td) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Queen of spades (Qs) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  3. Preflop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.

    • Player A BTN / SB Jack of hearts (Jh)10 of diamonds (Td) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Queen of spades (Qs) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
  4. Flop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player A pairs the jack with a ten as his other card. The ten is a decent but not the best kicker, a medium kicker.

    Board: Jack of clubs (Jc)7 of spades (7s)2 of diamonds (2d)

    • Player A BTN / SB Jack of hearts (Jh)10 of diamonds (Td) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Queen of spades (Qs) · Stack 194 · In this round 0

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.

Top pair, top kicker

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

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).

  1. 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 Ace of hearts (Ah)Jack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
    • Player B BB 9 of clubs (9c)9 of diamonds (9d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  2. Preflop · Pot: 8 chips

    Player A raises to 6 before the flop.

    • Player A BTN / SB Ace of hearts (Ah)Jack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB 9 of clubs (9c)9 of diamonds (9d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  3. Preflop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.

    • Player A BTN / SB Ace of hearts (Ah)Jack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB 9 of clubs (9c)9 of diamonds (9d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
  4. Flop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player A pairs the jack and holds the ace as his other card. The ace is the best possible kicker, so this hand is top pair with a top kicker.

    Board: Jack of clubs (Jc)7 of spades (7s)2 of diamonds (2d)

    • Player A BTN / SB Ace of hearts (Ah)Jack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
    • Player B BB 9 of clubs (9c)9 of diamonds (9d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.

Top pair, weak kicker

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

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).

  1. 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 Jack of hearts (Jh)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Queen of spades (Qs) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  2. Preflop · Pot: 8 chips

    Player A raises to 6 before the flop.

    • Player A BTN / SB Jack of hearts (Jh)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Queen of spades (Qs) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  3. Preflop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.

    • Player A BTN / SB Jack of hearts (Jh)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Queen of spades (Qs) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
  4. Flop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player A pairs the jack, but his other card is only a four. With a weak kicker, he loses to any other player who holds a jack with a better card.

    Board: Jack of spades (Js)7 of clubs (7c)2 of diamonds (2d)

    • Player A BTN / SB Jack of hearts (Jh)4 of diamonds (4d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Queen of spades (Qs) · Stack 194 · In this round 0

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.

Top two pair

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

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).

  1. 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 Ace of diamonds (Ad)King of clubs (Kc) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
    • Player B BB 9 of diamonds (9d)9 of clubs (9c) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  2. Preflop · Pot: 8 chips

    Player A raises to 6 before the flop.

    • Player A BTN / SB Ace of diamonds (Ad)King of clubs (Kc) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB 9 of diamonds (9d)9 of clubs (9c) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  3. Preflop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.

    • Player A BTN / SB Ace of diamonds (Ad)King of clubs (Kc) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB 9 of diamonds (9d)9 of clubs (9c) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
  4. Flop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player A pairs both of his cards with the two highest cards on the board. That is top two pair.

    Board: Ace of spades (As)King of hearts (Kh)5 of diamonds (5d)

    • Player A BTN / SB Ace of diamonds (Ad)King of clubs (Kc) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
    • Player B BB 9 of diamonds (9d)9 of clubs (9c) · Stack 194 · In this round 0

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.

A trap

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

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).

  1. 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 Queen of clubs (Qc)Jack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
    • Player B BB 10 of diamonds (Td)10 of hearts (Th) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  2. Preflop · Pot: 8 chips

    Player A raises to 6 before the flop.

    • Player A BTN / SB Queen of clubs (Qc)Jack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB 10 of diamonds (Td)10 of hearts (Th) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  3. Preflop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.

    • Player A BTN / SB Queen of clubs (Qc)Jack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB 10 of diamonds (Td)10 of hearts (Th) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
  4. Flop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player B flops a set of tens, a very strong hand.

    Board: 10 of spades (Ts)6 of clubs (6c)2 of diamonds (2d)

    • Player A BTN / SB Queen of clubs (Qc)Jack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
    • Player B BB 10 of diamonds (Td)10 of hearts (Th) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
  5. Flop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player B checks to set a trap: he plays a strong hand as if it were weak so that Player A will bet.

    Board: 10 of spades (Ts)6 of clubs (6c)2 of diamonds (2d)

    • Player A BTN / SB Queen of clubs (Qc)Jack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
    • Player B BB 10 of diamonds (Td)10 of hearts (Th) · Stack 194 · In this round 0

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.