Glossary of Poker Terms - H

H

half bet rule

In some casinos, the rule that placing chips equal to or greater than half the normal bet amount beyond the amount required to call constitutes a commitment to raise the normal amount. For example, in a game with a $4 fixed limit, a player facing a $4 opening bet who places $6 in the pot is deemed to have raised, and must complete his bet to $8. Compare to "full bet rule". See Public cardroom rules and "all in" betting.

hand

See main article: hand.

hand-for-hand

See main article: hand-for-hand.

hand history

The textual representation of a hand (or hands) played in an Internet cardroom. See Poker tools.

hanger

When the bottom card of the deck sticks out beyond the others, an unwanted tell that the dealer is dealing from the bottom of the deck.

heads up poker

Playing against a single opponent. After Lori folded, Frank and I were heads up for the rest of the hand.

heater

See rush.

high hand, high

The best hand using traditional poker hand values, as opposed to lowball. Used especially in high-low split games.

high card

1. A no pair hand, ranked according to its highest-ranking cards.
2. To defeat another player by virtue of high-ranking cards, especially kickers.
3. To randomly select a player for some purpose by having each draw one card, the highest of which is selected (for example, to decide who deals first). When all the players get here, we'll high card for the button. Often high card by suit is used for this purpose.

high-low, high-low split

See main article: high-low split.

hijack seat

The seat to the right of the cutoff seat, or second to the right of the button.

hole cards, hole

1. Face-down cards. Also "pocket cards". I think Willy has two more queens in the hole.
2. A seat, often preceded by a number relative to the button. Sara opened from the 2-hole.

hole cam

A camera that displays a player's face-down cards ("hole cards") to television viewers. Also "pocket cam" or "lipstick cam".

home game

A game played at a private venue (usually the home of one of the players), as opposed to a casino or public cardroom.

horse

A player financially backed by someone else. I lost today, but Larry was my horse in the stud game, and he won big. Compare with "bankroll" and "staking".

H.O.R.S.E.

See main article: H.O.R.S.E..