Texas Hold ‘Em Terms
Let’s clarify a couple terms you may have heard in the casino.com or on television when watching a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, but never really knew what they meant. This will help you understand your own hand, and why certain hands are referred to by these names.
Let’s start with a set. What is a set? Is it just three of a kind? Why isn’t it called three of a kind, or “trips” as you’ve no doubt called it in your basement games. Well, there’s a distinct difference between “trips” and a “set.” If you have “trips,” it means one of your hidden cards (hole cards) matches a pair that shows up either on or after the flop. So if you have 8, 5 in your hand and Q, 8, 8 show up on the flop, then you have “trips.” A set is the opposite, if you have a pair hidden and a single card flops that matches your hidden cards, then you’ve made a “set.” I personally feel that a set is stronger than trips, since it gives you more betting leverage as more of the strength of you hand is hidden from others.
OK, now how about “active” cards? I know you’ve heard of “active players,” which simply means a player who is currently in with a stake in the pot, but what about active cards? If you’ve watched a tournament on television and the commentators say this player has two active cards, that basically means that both of his cards are “live” and “in play.” To further clarify, If you’re holding A, 10 vs. 9, 9 and you match or move all-in, both cards can still affect the outcome of the game – pairing one or the other (or both) could improve your hand to give you the statistical edge and the pot. If, however, you have A, 10 and your opponent has K, K, then (for argument’s sake forget about a straight or flush for now) only your Ace is an “active” card, because only pairing the Ace will affect the outcome of the hand. It’s not an expression you hear a whole lot, but it helps to know what it means when it does come up at Spade Club.