cash‑game
Mississippi Straddle
The Mississippi straddle is a type of straddle made by the player on the button, instead of the player under the gun. The straddler acts last before the flop, and then the action starts after him.
Must-Move
Must-move is a rule in some card rooms: to protect the main game, the players of a second game must move into the first game when seats open there.
Nickel-Dime
Nickel-dime is a small-stake game. The name is based on the nickel and the dime, small coins.
Nosebleed
Nosebleed stakes are the very highest stakes in poker, where games are played for huge amounts of money. A nosebleed game is one in which most people would feel dizzy about the size of the bets.
Open Game
An open game is a game in which anyone can play. It is not restricted to a private group.
Penny Ante
Penny ante is a game with very low stakes. The phrase is also used for anything that is small or unimportant.
Ratholing
Ratholing is taking chips or money off the table during a cash game. It is not allowed in most public card rooms and is bad etiquette in home games. It is also called going south.
Session
A session is the period in which a poker game is held, or the time that you sit and play. For example, a session may last five hours.
Set Mining
Set mining is calling a raise before the flop with a pocket pair, only to hit a set. If the flop does not give you a third card of your rank, you give up the hand.
Short Buying
Short buying is buying more chips after your initial purchase, for an amount smaller than the minimum buy-in. In some games, a short buy is allowed after the first stack.
Short Handed
Short handed means a game with six or fewer players. It is the opposite of a full ring game.
Short Stack
A short stack is a stack with relatively few chips compared with the blinds, usually fewer than 20 big blinds. It also means the player with the fewest chips at the table.
Shorthanded
Shorthanded describes a poker game with six or fewer players at the table. It is the opposite of a full ring game with nine or ten players.
Stakes
Stakes are the size of the bets in a game, the amount you play for. In cash games, they are given by the blinds, such as $1/$2. In tournaments, they are given by the buy-in.
Straddle
A straddle is an optional extra blind bet posted before the cards are dealt, usually by the player under the gun, normally twice the big blind. It raises the stakes for the hand, and the straddler often acts last before the flop.
Table Charge
A table charge is a fee that players pay for playing at a table. It is a charge for the use of the table, in place of or in addition to the rake.
Time collection
A time collection is a fee for renting a seat, paid in advance. It is a charge for playing, instead of a percentage from the pot.
Vig
Vig is short for vigorish, the commission the house takes from a game. In poker, the vig is the rake taken from each pot or the time fee, since the house does not play in the hand.
Vigorish
Vigorish is the house's take in a bet or game. In poker, it is the rake or time charge, since the house does not play in the hand.