Two cards of the same rank. Two 8s is a pair.

To check. Also, to fold.

In draw poker games, a complete hand before the draw. A pat flush would be a five-card flush before the draw. Pay off- To call a bet or raise when you don't think you have the best hand.

A player who calls bets and raises much more than is correct. He's also referred to as a calling station. This type is great when you have a legitimate hand, but he's just about impossible to bluff out of a pot.

Another term for hole. Thus, two aces in the pocket means two aces in the hole.

The spot in the sequence of betting in which a player is located. A player in first position would be the first person to act; a player in last position would be the last person to act.

The amount a wager may be expected to win on average. A play with positive expectation is a play that will win money over the long run.

The total amount of money wagered at any point in a hand. A hand itself is also referred to as a pot. Thus, three people in the pot means there are three active players still playing the hand.

The ratio of the amount of money in the pot to the bet you must call to continue in the hand.

Poker in which players may bet or raise any amount up to the current size of the pot.

The best possible hand. In lowball, A, 2, 3, 4, 5 is the pure nuts. If in hold 'em the board is A 7 8 K 4 a player holding a 5,6 has the pure nuts. Put someone on a hand: To determine as best you can the hand (or hands) an opponent is most likely to have.