To intentionally go easy on a player (e.g. not betting or raising against him when you usually would).
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| cow | A player with whom one is sharing a buy-in, with the intent to split the result after play. To "go cow" is to make such an arrangement. | U |
| dominated hand | A hand that is extremely unlikely to win against another specific hand, even though it may not be a poor hand in its own right. Most commonly used in Texas hold 'em. A hand like A-Q, for example, is a good hand in general but is dominated by A-K, because whenever the former makes a good hand, the latter is likely to make a better one. A hand like 7-8 is a poor hand in general, but is not dominated by A-K because it makes different kinds of hands. See Domination (poker). | U |
| pair | See one pair | U |
| Watch the Eyes | This is why many pros wear sunglasses or visors/caps when playing, they know that the eyes rarely lie. For example, many players can't help but stare at big hole cards, so their length of time peeking is longer. Conversely, if a player is looking to steal the pot, he may look to his left to see if the remaining players, who haven't yet acted, have quickly glanced at their cards and are likely to fold. Another example, a player may try to ask you questions about your hand, knowing that people rarely can "look someone straight in the eyes" while being dishonest. | U |
| buy the button | Making a bet when no one else is betting so as to force the other players to fold in order to win the pot uncontested. | U |
| button | See button (poker). Also "buck" or "hat". | U |
| post dead | To post a bet amount equal to the small and the big blind combined (the amount of the large blind playing as a live blind, and the amount of the small blind as dead money). In games played with blinds, a player who steps away from the table and misses his turn for the blinds must either post dead or wait for the big blind to re-enter the game. Compare to "dead blind". | U |
| catch | To receive needed cards on a draw. I'm down 300--I can't catch anything today. or Joe caught his flush early, but I caught the boat on seventh street to beat him. Often used with an adjective to further specify, for example "catch perfect", "catch inside", "catch smooth". | U |
| shark | A professional player. See also card sharp. | U |
| Glancing at Chips After Looking at Hole Cards | When a player looks down and sees strong hole or pocket cards, she may glance over at her chips to see just how much she can bet. | S |