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Poker Terms

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Sandbag
Another term for slow playing. Involves playing a strong hand passively by checking and calling to deceive opponents and encourage them to bet more aggressively.
Sandwich
Refers to a situation where a player is positioned between two aggressive opponents, often facing bets or raises from both players. Being sandwiched can put the player in a difficult spot, as they may have to contend with aggression from both sides and decide whether to call, raise, or fold based on their hand strength and the actions of their opponents.
Satellite
A smaller tournament where the prize is an entry into a larger tournament.
Scare card
A card that appears on the board that could potentially turn the best hand into a loser, often changing the dynamics of the game.
Scared money
Refers to funds that a player is unwilling to risk or lose due to fear or anxiety about the potential consequences. Scared money can lead to overly cautious or passive play, preventing a player from making optimal decisions and capitalizing on profitable opportunities. It’s often associated with inexperienced players or those playing with stakes beyond their comfort level.
Scoop
To win the entire pot, especially in high-low split games where both the high and low pots are won by the same player.
Second pair
Second pair refers to a hand in which a player pairs one of their hole cards with the second-highest card on the board. It ranks below top pair but can still be strong depending on the texture of the board and opponent actions.
Semi-bluff
A semi-bluff is a bet or raise made with a hand that is not currently the best, but has the potential to improve to the best hand on future streets. This strategy combines the chances of winning immediately by forcing opponents to fold with the backup of potentially improving to a winning hand.
Set
Three of a kind, particularly when the player has two of the cards in hand and one on the board.
Set mining
Refers to the strategy of playing small or medium pocket pairs with the intention of hitting a set (three of a kind) on the flop. This strategy aims to capitalize on the high potential payoff of flopping a set against opponents with strong hands, such as overpairs or top pairs.
Set over set
Occurs when two or more players each flop a set (three of a kind) in the same hand. It’s a rare but significant occurrence that often results in a large pot, as both players have strong hands and are likely to continue betting aggressively.
Shark
An expert player who often preys on weaker players.
Shoe
A device used in casinos to hold multiple decks of cards, making dealing easier and preventing tampering. Commonly used in games like blackjack rather than poker.
Shove
To go all-in, betting all of one’s chips on a single hand. This is a common tactic in no-limit games to put maximum pressure on opponents.
Shorthanded
A poker game with fewer players than usual, typically six or fewer. This type of game often requires a more aggressive playing style due to the increased frequency of hands played.
Short stack
A smaller than average stack of chips relative to the blinds or compared to other players at the table.
Showdown
The point at the end of the final betting round when all players who haven’t folded reveal their hands to see who wins the pot.
Showdown value
The value of a poker hand that is strong enough to potentially win at showdown, where all remaining players reveal their hands after the final betting round.
Shuffle
The act of mixing the cards before dealing them to ensure a random distribution.
Side game
A poker game that is played concurrently with a larger tournament or main event, usually involving fewer players and often less formal.
Side pot
A separate pot created when one or more players go all-in and other players continue to bet into a new pot.
Simulations
In poker, simulations refer to the use of computer models to mimic real game scenarios and predict outcomes based on statistical probabilities. These are commonly used in GTO (game theory optimal) solvers to explore and optimize strategies by running through thousands of potential game situations and outcomes.
Sit out
The act of a player temporarily leaving a poker game while maintaining their seat. This term is commonly used in both live and online poker settings. Players may sit out for various reasons, such as taking a break or attending to personal matters.
Slow play
Playing a strong hand passively to deceive opponents and keep them in the pot.
Slow roll
Deliberately delaying revealing one’s winning hand at showdown, often seen as disrespectful or unsportsmanlike because it can give the losing player false hope.
Small blind
The smaller of two forced bets in a betting round, placed by the player to the left of the dealer.
Smooth call
To call a bet without raising, often with a strong hand, to conceal its strength.
SNG (sit and go)
Refers to a type of poker tournament format that begins as soon as enough players have registered. Sit and go tournaments have a fixed number of participants and a predetermined prize structure, making them a popular choice for players seeking quick and convenient tournament action.
Snap call
An immediate call made without any hesitation, typically indicating a very strong hand or absolute certainty about the situation.
Soft-play
Intentionally playing less aggressively against a specific player, often considered unethical as it can suggest collusion or favoritism in a competitive setting.
Solid
Describes a player who consistently makes good decisions, employs effective strategies, and maintains a disciplined approach to the game. A solid player is typically knowledgeable about poker theory, has strong fundamentals, and avoids making costly mistakes, making them a formidable opponent at the table.
Solver
In poker, a solver refers to computer software that utilizes mathematical algorithms to analyze and solve complex poker situations. Solvers are commonly used by advanced players to study and optimize their strategies, particularly in games with high levels of uncertainty and variability.
Solver solution
In poker, a solver solution refers to the optimal strategy or decision suggested by poker solver software. Solver solutions are based on mathematical calculations and simulations, providing insights into the best course of action in various poker scenarios.
Splash the pot
Throwing chips into the pot in a disorderly manner rather than stacking them neatly. This practice is generally discouraged as it can cause confusion about the amount bet.
Split pot
A pot divided among two or more players who have the same hand ranking.
SPR (stack-to-pot ratio)
A concept in poker that represents the ratio of a player’s remaining stack size to the current size of the pot. It’s used to assess the relative depth of a player’s stack compared to the pot size, which can influence strategic decisions such as bet sizing and continuation of play.
Spread-limit
A betting format allowing bets within a predetermined range, such as $1 to $5, offering flexibility within set limits.
Squeeze play
A strategic move where a player makes a large bet or raise after there has been a bet and one or more calls, aiming to win the pot immediately by forcing opponents to fold their hands.
SRP (single raised pot)
Refers to a pot that has been raised once preflop, typically by one player after an initial bet or raise. This distinguishes it from a multi-raised pot, where there have been multiple raises before the flop.
Stack
The total amount of chips a player has in play at any given time.
Stakes
The amount of money that players agree to bet per round in a poker game. Stakes can range from low to high, determining the financial risk and reward involved in the game.
Staking
The act of providing a player with the funds to enter a poker game or tournament in exchange for a portion of the winnings. Staking agreements are common among professional players.
Starting hand
The initial two cards dealt to a player in Texas Hold’em or other poker variants. The strength of a player’s starting hand influences their decisions throughout the hand.
Static board
A term used to describe a community card board in poker where the cards do not significantly change the potential hands that players can make. This usually occurs when the board lacks flush or straight draws, making the hand values relatively fixed.
Steal
To win the blinds or a pot by bluffing, typically from a late position.
Sticky poker player
Is usually passive and floats a lot of boards. Never folds if the player catches any part of the board.
Stop and go
A strategy where a player bets on the flop, checks on the turn, and then bets again on the river. This approach can be used to mislead opponents about the strength of one’s hand.
Straddle
An optional and additional blind bet made by a player after the big blind but before the cards are dealt, usually double the big blind.
Straight
A hand consisting of five consecutive cards, not all of the same suit. For example, a sequence of 5-6-7-8-9 is a straight.
Straight flush
A hand consisting of five consecutive cards, all of the same suit. For example, a sequence of 6-7-8-9-10 of hearts is a straight flush.
Street
A term used to describe the various rounds of betting in poker games, especially in community card games. For example, the flop, turn, and river are referred to as different streets.
String bet
A prohibited move where a player makes a bet or a raise in multiple motions without stating the full amount at the beginning.
Suck out
Winning a poker hand by drawing a card that dramatically improves a player’s situation, typically when they were significantly behind in the odds prior to that draw.
Suited
Cards of the same suit.
Suited connectors
Two cards of consecutive rank and the same suit, which can potentially make a straight, a flush, or a straight flush.
Swap
In poker, a swap refers to an agreement between players to share or exchange a portion of their potential winnings in a tournament or cash game. Swaps are often made to reduce variance or provide mutual support among players, with each participant sharing in the success or failure of the other.