Noun

Any method of betting in a particular hand that misrepresents the cards a player is holding; betting that is not typical for a given player with a particular hand, or that opponents would not expect to be typical.

EXAMPLE: "I'd been playing at the same table for a while and knew my opponents were starting to pick up on patterns. I made a hand that I would usually raise with, but decided to put a play on my opponents."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

RELATED TERMS: Bluff, Represent

Noun

An action or series of actions that would result in either a significant win or a significant loss.

EXAMPLE: "I was running low on chips and the blinds were about to increase. I knew I had to make a play soon or the blinds would destroy my chip stack."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

SYNONYMS: Bluff

Verb

To make a wager after any required wager is posted or to stay in a hand long enough to see a card or cards in addition to those distributed before betting occurred.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This term has distinct meaning in poker as compared to other games, where play refers to the most basic level of participation. In poker, a player may receive cards, post required bets such as antes or a blind, and make a decision about what action to take, and the player is nonetheless not said to be playing unless the player makes an additional wager or stays in to see additional cards.

EXAMPLE: "After an hour of not playing, even the worst starting hands begin to look playable.? J-8 offsuit? I think I'll raise."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

SYNONYMS: Come In

RELATED TERMS: Limp, Limp In, Loose, Tight