All poker games require some forced bets in order to create an initial stake for the players to contest. The requirements for forced bets, and the betting limits of the game (see below) are collectively called the game’s betting structure.
Ante
An ante is a forced bet in which each player places an equal [...]

Players in a poker game act in turn, in clockwise rotation (acting out of turn is a breach of etiquette and can negatively affect other players). When it is a player’s turn to act, the first verbal declaration or action he takes binds him to his choice of action; this is [...]

garbage

The “muck”.
A worthless hand.

going south
To sneak a portion of your chips from the table while the game is underway. Normally prohibited in public card rooms.

grinder
A player who earns a living by making small profits over a long period of consistent, conservative play.

guts, guts to open

A game with [...]

In poker, a bad beat occurs when a hand, which was at one time a big favourite to win, loses. Typically the term is only applied in this way when the player holding the eventual winning hand misplayed it spectacularly.Alternatively, the term is also applied when a particularly strong hand loses to [...]

family pot
A deal in which every (or almost every) seated player called the first opening bet.
fast
Aggressive play. I was afraid of too many chasers, so I played my trips fast.
feeder
In a casino setting, a second or third table playing the same game as a “main” table, and [...]

equity
One’s mathematical expected value from the current deal, calculated by multiplying the amount of money in the pot by one’s probability of winning. For example, if the pot currently contains $100, and you estimate that you have a one in four chance of winning it, then your equity in the pot [...]

dark
Describing an action taken before receiving information to which the player would normally be entitled. I’m drawing three, and I check in the dark. Compare to “blind”.
dead blind
A blind that is not “live”, in that the player posting it does not have the option to raise if other players [...]

calling station
A weak player who frequently checks and calls, but rarely raises.

cap
A limit on the number of raises allowed in a betting round. Typically three or four (in addition the opening bet). In most casinos, the cap is removed if there are only two players remaining either (1) at the [...]

baby
A low-ranked card, usually used in lowball games. Also “spoke” when between ace and five.
backdoor

A draw requiring two or more rounds to fill. For example, catching two consecutive cards in two rounds of seven-card stud or Texas hold ‘em to fill a straight or flush.
A hand made other than [...]

A-B-C, A-B-C-D

A sequence of the lowest cards in a lowball game. For example, the hand 8-6-3-2-A might be called an eight-six-a-b-c.
Uncreative or predictable play. He’s an a-b-c player.

ace-to-five, ace-to-six
Methods of evaluating low hands.

act
To make a play (bet, call, raise, or fold) at the required time. It is Ted’s turn [...]