Sean Chaffin

Preflop in poker simply means “before the flop”. The flop is the name of the second betting round in Hold’em and Omaha where 3 community cards are dealt face up in the centre of the table. Anything that happens before those 3 cards are dealt is referred to as preflop(so essentially, the entire first betting round including posting the blinds and receiving hole cards).

An overpair is a pair in the hole that is higher than the highest card on the board. For example, in Hold’em we have QQ in the hole and the board texture is T72. We hold an overpair. This concept only makes sense in games where there are community cards, Hold’em and Omaha for example.

The term heads up refers to two handed poker. This would occur either because there are only two players dealt into a hand or because all other players at the table folded, leaving just two remaining. In a tournament the action becomes heads up when all other players have been knocked out of the tournament. The winner of the heads up match will win first prize in the tournament.

What is a downswing poker, and how should players handle them? Get the best advice and top tips on minimising tough runs of cards and time at the table.

A dark bet or bet in the dark is a bet made without looking at all or any of the cards involved in a hand. For example, the player first to act on the flop in Hold’em, might make his flop betting decision before the flop cards have even been dealt. Naturally, betting in the dark is not an advisable strategy. It’s often used by players looking to gain a psychological advantage over their opponents or for entertainment value in the case of live TV.

In Short Deck poker all deuces, threes, fours, and fives are removed from the deck – leaving 36 cards to play with, which can result in a more action-packed game.