Poker can be quite confusing to get into for new players. Although the rules themselves are fairly easy to understand, there are a lot of different theories and strategies to consider. On top of this, there are loads of different terms and names that can be a bit overwhelming. All poker players will naturally start off a bit confused at first, but you’ll slowly learn what these terms mean.

Most poker terms are fairly self-explanatory, and their origins are normally clear. However, there are a lot of terms that are a bit less clear and require some explanation. Below are some of the most common poker terms and their origins.

Poker

Poker itself is a fairly unusual name. Some card games, such as blackjack, are named after specific hands that can be made during the game. But this isn’t the case with poker. Instead, the name comes from the original games that it was based on. In Germany, people played a bluffing game with cards during the 16th century. This game was known as Pochen and spawned a similar game in France known as Poque. This French game was brought over to New Orleans in the US, where it eventually became known as poker.

Flop

When you play poker, the flop is the reveal of the first three community cards which happens after the initial betting round. This is the most important stage of the game as it will determine how good your hand actually is. It used to be known as the turn but was changed to flop because of the noise that’s made when the dealer flops the three cards on the table.

Turn

The turn was originally known as 4th street but changed its name when the flop was changed. This is the reveal of the fourth community card and is named because of the fact that it can easily turn the tide of a hand. Players who were losing before can suddenly find themselves in a much stronger position, and those that had strong hands may suddenly become a lot weaker.

River

The river is the final reveal of the fifth community card. Sometimes known as 5th street, it’s more commonly known as the river by poker players today. There are lots of different theories as to why it’s called the river. Some believe that it’s because cheating players used to get thrown in the river back when poker was predominantly played on riverboats. Others say it’s because the final card has the potential to sell players down the river.

Board

Board is the term used to describe the five community cards that are revealed on the flop, turn, and river. It’s so-called because games would typically be played on a piece of board. Sometimes described as on the board or playing the board, players need to use the community cards when making their five-card hand. Meanwhile. Board texture refers to how the community cards interact with typical hand ranges.

Fish

In poker, a fish is an unskilled player, usually a beginner or someone who simply plays for fun. Often. Fish will play loosely yet passively and will be a target for more experienced and skillful players at their table. The phrase is believed to originate from the act of fishing, where fish are caught by casting a line. In addition, fish aren’t considered to be animals of high intelligence or analytical skills. Some players may also refer to inexperienced players as donkeys.

Shark

In keeping with marine animals, another term used to describe poker players is a shark. When you’re at a poker table, the level of your opponents dictates how dangerous they are. The most experienced and skillful players are known as sharks, and they’re best avoided just like the animal they’re named after. This term comes from the fact that sharks will happily eat fish and anything else that comes near them.

Variance

Poker may be a skill-based game, but luck is always a factor in how games play out. Even the best players have bad luck sometimes and lose money as a result. Over time, skill will always win, but luck can affect results in the short term. This is known as variance, and it can be confusing to understand. It’s an idea rooted in probability and statistics, but luckily you don’t have to be a mathematician to know how it works.