Glossary of Poker Terms
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Terms starting with O
Odds
A ratio of two probabilities, usually the probability of
making a hand to the probability of not making the hand.
Thus if you have a 25% chance of making a hand, the odds are
3 to 1 against your making it. In poker, this is especially
important in considering pot odds.
Off-suit
Not of the same suit, especially in reference to hole cards.
Sometimes abbreviated to just "off."
I'll play KT off suit occasionally, but never in early
position.
Omaha
Omaha is a flop game similar to hold'em, but with two key
differences. First, each player is dealt four cards instead
of just two. Second, a hand must be made using exactly two
pocket cards (out of those four) and three from the table.
That is, if four suited cards hit the table, you still need
two more to make a flush. And if you start with four aces,
then you have a pair of aces, with little chance to improve.
The high-low variant of omaha, with an 8 or better qualifier
for low, is especially popular.
Omaha8
The term "Omaha8" is simply shorthand for omaha high-low
split, with an 8 or better qualifier for low, is especially
popular.
One-Gap
See inside straight.
Open
To open, or open betting, is simply to make the first bet in
a round.
When everyone checked to me, I figured it was okay to open
with middle pair.
Open-Ender
See open-ended straight draw (right down there).
Open-Ended Straight (Draw)
An straight draw is open-ended if it consists of four
consecutive cards (none of them an ace). The straight can be
completed at either end. See also double belly buster and
inside straight.
I had an open-ended straight draw. Really.
Open Pair
An open pair in seven card stud is an exposed pair - a pair
among your up cards.
Option
When a player posts a live blind, that player is given the
option to raise when their turn comes around, even if no one
else has raised. The dealer will typically say something
like "your option," to remind them. See also straddle.
Out
An out is a card that will improve your hand, usually one
that you think will make it a winner. In hold'em, an
open-ended straight draw has eight outs (the four cards of
each rank that will complete the straight). But it may be
only six outs if there are two suited cards on the table and
someone else is drawing for the flush.
With all that money in the pot and fifteen outs, it seemed
like a good idea to call the raise. Except that I was
drawing dead on both the flush and the straight.
Outdraw
To make a better hand than an opponent by merit of the cards
you draw.
Outrun
See outdraw.
Over Button
In some games, players can take "over" buttons that mean
they're willing to play at higher limits. Any time everyone
left in the hand has an over button, the limits go up.
Overcall
Any additional call after a bet is first called. Player A
bets, player B calls, player C overcalls.
Overcard
In flop games, a card higher than the highest card on the
board. If you hold AJ and the flop is J92, you have top pair
with an overcard. If the flop is T92, you just have two
overcards.
Overpair
In flop games, a pocket pair higher than the highest card on
the board. If you hold AA and the flop is K62, you have a
nice overpair.
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