actions
Shuffle
To shuffle is to mix the cards before a hand, so that their order is random. The dealer shuffles the deck before every deal.
Sitting Out
Sitting out means leaving a table for a few hands without giving up your seat. In many rooms, a player who sits out for too long is removed from the table.
Smooth Call
A smooth call is a call in a spot where a raise was also possible, especially with a strong hand. The player calls quietly, instead of re-raising, to hide the strength of his hand. It is also known as flat calling.
Snap Call
A snap call is a call made immediately, without thinking. It usually shows that the caller has a very strong hand, or that he has already decided what to do.
Stand Pat
To stand pat is to keep your hand as it is in a draw game, without drawing any new cards. A player who stands pat either believes his hand is already best or wants to look as if it is.
Stay
To stay is to remain in a game or hand by calling, rather than raising. A player who stays pays the bet to see the next card.
Tank
To tank is to think for a long time about a decision. A player who tanks takes minutes to decide, often when facing a big bet.
Tap
To tap is to bet all of your money in one bet in a no-limit game. A player who taps puts in all his chips.
Three‑Bet
A three-bet is the third bet in a betting round, which means a re-raise of the opening raise. Before the flop, the blind is the first bet, the opening raise is the second, and the re-raise is the third.
Time
'Time' is a request to pause the play while you decide. You say 'Time, please', and the dealer or floor gives you a moment. In some rooms, a clock may be used if a player takes too long.
Verbal Bet
A verbal bet is an oral bet: a bet that a player announces with words instead of putting chips in the pot.
Verbal Declaration
A verbal declaration is something you say out loud about your action, such as 'raise' or 'call'. In live poker, it is binding, so you cannot change your mind after saying it.
Walk
A walk is a hand in which everybody folds to the big blind, who wins the pot without a fight. The big blind does not have to do anything.
Wash
To wash the cards is to shuffle them by spreading them face down on the table and mixing them with the hands. It is done before the deck is shuffled normally.