Here are some definintions of important terms you need to know when you begin playing poker

Ante:

The minimum bet all players put into the pot before the hand is dealt.

Big Blind:

The first bet that the player to the left of the small blind, and two to the left of the dealer button, places that must be at least matched by players wanting to stay in the hand. This is usually the lower bet in a limt game. The big blind is a forced bet and must be placed.

Bring In:

A Mandatory bet in a stud game that must be placed to start of betting. The player showing the lowest up card places this bet in 7 card stud or the player showing the highest up card in Razz. Usually is 25% of the lower bet in a limit game (e.g. .50 cents in a 2/4 game)

Broadway:

Ace King Queen Jack 10. Broadway is the highest straight possible.

Call:

When you place a bet equal to the previous bet placed.

Capped:

In a limit game a round of betting can be capped when the maximum amount of raises has been made. Usually after 3 reraises the betting is capped for that particular round.

Check:

Not placing a bet and letting the next player to the left act. You may only check if no bets have been placed in the betting round yet, however you may not check if it is opening round of betting and everyone has folded to you, unless you are the big blind.

Community Cards:

These are cards, in Hold'em and Omaha, that are dealt face up to the table and will be used by all players to make the best 5 card hand.

Complete:

To complete the bring in bet in a stud game. in a $2/$4 game when you complete the bring in you now make the starting bet to enter the hand $2.

Dealer Button:

A  flat disk that signifies the dealers position on the table. The dealer is the last person to act in betting rounds after the initial betting round. This disk moves around the table to the next player to the left after the completion of each hand.

Flop:

The first 3 community cards dealt face up at once in hold'em and omaha games. After the card is dealt a round of betting ensues.

Fold:

When a player throws in his cards, not having to place any more money in the pot and also giving up their chance to win the pot. Players can fold at anytime during the betting rounds

Kicker:

In a 5 card hand if 2 players have the same hand this is the highest card that will determine who is the winnner.

Muck:

At showdown a player can decide to throw in his hand and not show if they so choose. this is know as mucking your hand. Once a hand is mucked it is no longer playable even if it was the winning hand

The Nuts:

The best possible hand you can make

Pocket Cards:

The cards dealt face down to each player.

Post:

When you are a new player entering a cash game you can decide to post the big blind and receive your cards immediatly or wait till it is your turn to actually post the big blind.

Raise:

When you match and increase the bet made.

River Card:

  The final community card dealt in Hold'em and Omaha. After this card is dealt a round of betting ensues.

Seventh Street:

In Stud the final card dealt face down to each player and there is a round of betting that ensues beginning with the player who started the betting on 6th street.

Showdown:

When all betting is completed the players still in the hand expose there cards to determine who wins the pot. The player who's bet is called must show there hand first and the player who called the bet can choose to show or muck their hand.

Small Blind:

A forced bet placed by the player to the left of the dealer button. Usually half of the big blind.

Standing Pat:

Not drawing any cards in a draw game

Turn:

The 4th community card dealt in Hold'em and Omaha games.  After this card is dealt a round of betting ensues.

Upcards:

Cards dealt face up for eveyone to see in a stud game

The Wheel:

A straight made with the Ace 2 3 4 5. Usually the lowest hand in Razz, and 8 or better games as well as California Lowball. Will play as a straight in standard games.