Action
Chance to act. If a turn isn't taken by the player, the dealer will say "Your action, sir."
Ante
To seed the pot at the beginning, a small portion of a bet must be contributed by each player at the start of a poker hand.
Burn
A term that describes the top card of the deck being discarded face down by the dealer. Between each betting round, this is done by the dealer before handing out the community card(s). This is a security precaution against players being able to recognize or glimpse at the next card that is used.
Complete Hand
The five cards that make up a hand - a straight, flush, full house, four of a kind or straight flush.
House
The establishment running the game.
Inside Straight
Four cards in a hand required for a straight except the one in the middle that completes it.
Kicker
A single unpaired card used in determining the better of two near-equivalent hands.
Muck
The pile of folded and burned cards collecting in front of the dealer.
Open-ended straight
When a hand has four of the five cards necessary for a straight in consecutive order with either hand open for the last card.
Pocket
Your unique hand that no one else is allowed to see.
Protect
Keep your hand or place a chip on your cards. This prevents your hand from being fouled by a discarded hand, or accidentally mucked by the dealer.
Quads
Four of a kind.
Rank
Worth of the card determined by the number assigned.
Tell
A clue or hint that a player unknowingly gives about the strength of his/her hand, his next action.
Toke
When the winner of the pot gives the dealer a small amount of money. This tip is often the sole source of a dealer's income.
Trips
Three of a kind.
Variance
The amount of high and low swings your bankroll goes through. A higher variance will mean higher swings.
