strategy
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.
Showdown Value
Showdown value is the ability of a hand to win at showdown without further betting or a bluff. A hand with showdown value is usually a pair or a medium-strength hand that may be best.
Single Raised Pot (SRP)
A single raised pot, SRP, is a pot in which one player raised before the flop and everyone else just called, without a re-raise. It is the most common kind of pot.
Slow Play
A slow play is a way of playing a strong hand weakly, by checking or calling instead of betting or raising, to hide your strength and win more chips. It is the opposite of fast-playing.
Small Ball
Small ball is a style of play in which a player keeps pots small, makes small bets and avoids big risks, relying on position and skill after the flop. It is usually applied in tournaments.
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.
Solid
A solid player is a player who makes good decisions based on logic and probability. He does not take unnecessary risks, plays conservatively when needed and follows a disciplined strategy.
Solver
A solver is a program that calculates the best strategy for a given poker situation. You give it the stacks, bet sizes and ranges, and it gives a solution that is close to game theory optimal play.
Solver Solution
A solver solution is the strategy that a solver gives for a situation you entered: what to do with each hand and how often. It shows the expected value of each action.
Splash Around
To splash around is to gamble more aggressively and recklessly than is wise. A player who splashes around plays too many hands and bets too much.
Spot
A spot is a specific decision point in a hand, such as 'a spot where you face a river bet in position'. Players say 'spot' to name a situation that they want to study or discuss.
Squeeze
Squeeze has two meanings. It can be to look at your cards by slowly bending them back, or to re-raise before the flop after one raise and one or more calls. The second is also called a squeeze play.
Squeeze Play
A squeeze play is a re-raise bluff, usually a three-bet, made after one player has raised and one or more players have called. It tries to make all of them fold, because they have shown less strength by calling.
Stack-to-Pot Ratio (SPR)
Stack-to-pot ratio, or SPR, is the ratio of the effective stack to the size of the pot. It tells you how many pots are left to bet, and strongly affects strategy.
Steal
A steal is a raise, usually before the flop and from a late position, with the intention of making the others fold and winning the blinds. The hand used for the raise does not need to be strong.
Steal Position
Steal position is the next to last or the last position at the table, where players have the best chance to steal the blinds. In modern language, it is the cutoff and the button.
Steal Raise
A steal raise is a raise from late position, made to reduce the number of opponents or to win the pot without a fight. It is usually made with a hand that is not very strong.
Steal the Antes
To steal the antes is to win a small pot that contains only the antes, by betting with a weak hand and making the other players fold. It is the version of the steal in games with antes.
Steal the Blinds
To steal the blinds is to raise before the flop with a weak hand, in the hope that all other players fold and you win the small and big blind without a fight.
Steamrolling
Steamrolling means re-raising so that other players must call two bets instead of one. It is an aggressive way to put pressure on the opponents.
Steel The Blinds
To steel the blinds means to win only the blinds by bluffing, usually by raising from late position so that the blinds fold. It is another way of saying 'steal the blinds'.
Stop and Go
A stop and go is a play in which a player calls a raise before the flop and then bets the flop himself, out of position, instead of checking to the raiser. It is also used for calling and then pushing all in after the flop in tournaments.
Strategic Bluff
A strategic bluff is a bluff made with a longer-term goal. For example, a player bluffs to give the impression that he is loose.
Super‑Bluff
A super-bluff is a bluff made against a player who has a very good hand, and that wins the hand. It is bluffing a strong player and making him fold.
Texture
Texture describes how the community cards fit together, for example if they are suited or connected. A dry texture has few draws, and a wet texture has many.
Tight
A tight player plays few hands, and mostly strong ones. He folds many hands before the flop, and he is often very selective after it. The opposite is a loose player.
Tight Aggressive (TAG)
Tight-aggressive, or TAG, is a style of play in which a player enters few pots but plays them aggressively with bets and raises. It is regarded as a very solid and profitable approach.
Tight‑Aggressive
Tight-aggressive, or TAG, is a style in which a player plays a small number of hands, but plays them with bets and raises, not with calls. It is regarded as a solid and profitable style.
Timid Player
A timid player is a player who often fails to call or raise when he should, and so loses money. He is too careful and misses chances.
Tough Player
A tough player is a superior poker player who is hard to beat. He plays well and makes few mistakes.
Trap
A trap is a play with a strong hand that looks weak, such as checking or calling, so that opponents will bet or bluff into you. It is another name for slow playing.
Trap Hand
A trap hand is a hand that looks strong but is weak compared with other possible hands, so it can lead to big losses. It is a hand that tempts you to put in too many chips.