Definition

Noun: A card game where players bet on the value of their hand, with the pot awarded to the player holding the highest-ranking combination of cards or to the last remaining player after all others have folded.

Usage

This term refers specifically to the activity or instance of playing poker. It describes the game itself, including its rules, betting rounds, and the social context in which it is played.

Examples

• The weekly poker game at his house is a popular tradition among his friends.
• She studied strategy books to improve her skills before joining the high-stakes poker game.
• The charity event featured a poker game with a large buy-in.

Advanced Usage

• "a friendly poker game": Emphasizes a non-serious, low-stakes social context.
  • It's just a friendly poker game; we play for small change.
• "a game of poker": A common alternative phrasing with identical meaning.
  • They sat down for a game of poker.

Variants and Related Words

• Poker (noun): The more common, abbreviated name for the game.
  • Do you know how to play poker?
• Card game (noun): The broader category to which poker belongs.

Synonyms

• Card game

Related Phrases

• "to have a poker face": To maintain an expression that does not reveal one's thoughts or feelings, a crucial skill in poker.
  • You need a poker face to bluff successfully.
• "to ante up": To put a required initial bet into the pot at the start of a poker hand.
  • Everyone anted up before the cards were dealt.

Noun

1. any of various card games in which players bet that they hold the highest-ranking hand