Poker is an exciting and lucrative game that entices many players. It's one of the world's most popular gambling games, thanks to its unique playing rules and strategies that ensure fair play. As players, we need to have a good grasp of poker lingo in order to excel in this game. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the most common poker terms so that you can better understand the game's terminology. 1. Ante Ante is a mandatory bet that everyone places into the pot before the game starts. It's a preliminary bet that helps determine the winner of the hand. 2. Blinds Blinds are bets made by the two players sitting immediately to the left of the dealer. They make their wager without knowing what cards they hold. There are two types of blinds: small blind and big blind. 3. Call A call is an action taken by a player when they match the current bet without raising the bet. The player is essentially telling the pot that the value of their hand is equal to that of the bet. 4. Bet A bet is an action taken by a player when they raise the betting pool in a round of betting. It signifies that they believe their cards are stronger than those of the opponent. 5. Raise A raise is an action taken by a player when they add more money to the pot over the current bet, effectively increasing the overall bet amount. This move can be made in response to a bet, a call, or a previous raise by another player. 6. Check A check is when a player decides not to bet. In other words, a player can either check or fold - a check tells the other players you're not interested in the current round of betting, while a fold ends your involvement in the pot. 7. Fold A fold in poker signifies the player's decision to end their participation in the hand, losing any bet they have made so far. A fold can happen in any round of betting, and the player cannot regain that money. 8. The Bubble The bubble in poker refers to the last few players in an online or live tournament who are close to the cash-in position. These players need to make it to the next round to earn any money but are still at risk of being eliminated. 9. River River is the fifth and final communal card dealt in Texas Hold'em Poker. It is the last chance for players to form a winning hand. 10. Turn Turn is a card dealt in Omaha and Seven-Card Stud games, it is the fourth community card. It is dealt face up, and players can use this card to form their best five-card poker hand. In conclusion, understanding the basic poker terms or lingo is a crucial part of being good at poker. As a player, using the correct terminology makes the game more enjoyable and also prevents miscommunications between players. The examples mentioned in this article are foundational terms that should help you better grasp fundamental concepts of poker. As a result, you'll be more confident and strategic in your poker gameplay.