The colorful quotations you hear in poker can be based on real events or just made up from long ago. Here is a list of some popular quotations along with an explanation of what a person really means when he uses the quote.
Phrase
| Translation
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"I'd rather be lucky than good."
| Typically said by a player who is neither lucky nor good. This player often believes that he should play more hands than reasonable and that he can get on a lucky streak by doing so. In the long haul, when all the luck is bled out of the equation, it's skill that separates winning players from losing players.
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"You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em."
| Typically said by a Kenny Rogers fan or someone who has no clue as to whether he should continue playing the hand or fold.
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"Sheesh, what a bad beat."
| This refers to when a player loses a hand where, mathematically, she was a big favorite. Most players have a bad beat story.
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"If you can't spot the fish at the poker table, then it's you."
| This refers to the fact that, if you can't read players or their abilities very well, you will probably be the sucker at the table.
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"Hey Joe, bring us a live one."
| Often said by a player at a card club, asking for a new sucker player to be brought to the table.
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"I'm down a little."
| I'm down a lot.
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"Boy, he is a tight player."
| Boy, is he anal-retentive and conservative.
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"Read 'em and weep."
| Look at my big hand that beats all of your puny hands, suckers.
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"I was drawing to a double belly buster."
| This is a draw to two different straights, such as 3-5-6-7-9. A single belly buster is drawing to an inside straight.
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"Sheesh, things can't get any worse."
| Usually said by a poker player who has gone on a losing streak, and the streak is about to get worse.
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"Trust everyone, but cut the cards."
| Means trust no one, and cut the cards as a way to try to prevent cheating.
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"Any two will do."
| Refers to the concept that any two cards in Hold'em can theoretically win the hand. Used as a justification to play truly wretched starting cards. However, we all know that good starting hands are the key to winning at poker in the long run.
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