Noun

A form of game in which the verbally stated value of a hand is used to determine the winner, rather than using the actual highest hand value possible for a given set of cards. If a hand value that is not actually held is declared, the player making that declaration is typically disqualified from the pot.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: When players declare rather than letting the cards speak, it is possible for a player to lose a hand that they otherwise would have won. This is due to the possibility of accidentally declaring a hand of lower value than is actually held. Example: Player A has 2c-Ad in the hole. Player B has Ac-Js in the hole. The community cards are 4h-5d-Ah-3s-Jc. This gives Player A a 5-high straight while Player B has two pair, Aces and Jacks. Player A forgot that Aces can be used as low cards and verbally declared the hand as a pair of Aces. If the game was played with the cards speak rule, this remark would be irrelevant and Player A would win using the straight against Player B's two pair. If the game were played with the declare rule, however, this remark would be binding and Player A's pair of Aces would lose to Player B's two pair.

EXAMPLE: "We're playing declare."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

ANTONYMS: Cards Speak

RELATED TERMS: Chip Declare

Noun

The period in a game during which players state the value of their hands; the showdown in a game played with the declare rule.

EXAMPLE: "I folded before the declare."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

Verb

To state the value of one's hand.

EXAMPLE: "I declared my king-high flush."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

Noun

In a high-low split game, the period in a game during which players state the pot or pots that they are attempting to win.

EXAMPLE: "We were playing bet after the declare. I had a reasonable chance to win to scoop but was afraid that one of my opponents would beat me with a low hand. I decided to wait until after the declare to decide whether or not I would raise. I wanted to know if that opponent was declaring for low, high, or both ways."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

Verb

In a high-low split game, to indicate the pot or pots that a player will attempt to win. This is not necessarily a verbal indication.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The chip declare is a common method of declaring non-verbally.

EXAMPLE: "I had a decent chance at both pots, but was afraid one of my opponents made a better high hand, so I decided to just declare low. It turns out I would've scooped the pot if I'd declared both ways."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues