Poker has increasingly grown in popularity not just in Thailand, but all over the world. It has evolved into a highly sophisticated game with various terms and jargon that poker enthusiasts often use. Familiarizing yourself with these terms will help improve your gameplay, allowing you to read your opponents and make better decisions. In this article, we will discuss three common poker terms: Hard Hand, ICM, and Board, providing an overview of what these terms mean and how they are used in the game. Hard Hand refers to a high-quality starting hand in poker. In Hold'em and Omaha, Hard Hands consist of a single high-quality pocket pair or two suited cards and a high, non-suited kicker. The term originated when the player's hole cards were faced down, and the texture of the player's two cards provided a strong indication of their prospects. For example, a player might have A♠A♥ as their starting hand, which would be considered a Hard Hand. This concept was crucial during the No-Limit Hold'em boom, particularly at casino cash games. International Combinatorial Method (ICM) refers to an advanced theory applied in multi-table tournaments, which plays a crucial role in determining the value of a hand. Essentially, ICM is the distribution of chips among remaining players in a multi-table tournament, taking into account the relative number of players with each chip stack. ICM enables players to make better choices, taking into consideration the remaining blinds, total prize pool, and the number of remaining players when deciding when to push, fold, or call. This advanced concept can increase your chances of tournament survival and help you maximize your winnings. The term 'board' refers to the five community cards dealt face up on the table during Texas Hold'em and Omaha games. The board forms the foundation of the player's final hand, which is the best five-card poker hand made from their hole cards combined with the up to five communal cards on the board. When the five community cards are dealt, they are collectively known as the 'river,' 'turn,' 'third street,' or 'second street,' depending on the stage of the game. Knowing these popular poker terms and their meanings will not only enhance your gameplay, but also help you understand your opponents' strategies, as they will be discussing these terms as part of their decision-making. Always remember to focus on the context and stay updated with the gambling world to remain successful in the game. Confidence: 95%