poker

1 of 2

noun (1)

pok·​er ˈpō-kər 

: one that pokes

especially : a metal rod for stirring a fire

poker

2 of 2

noun (2)

po·​ker ˈpō-kər 

: any of several card games in which a player bets that the value of their own hand is greater than that of the hands held by others, in which each subsequent player must either equal or raise the bet or drop out, and in which the player holding the highest hand at the end of the betting wins the pot

Illustration of poker

• 1 five of a kind
• 2 royal flush
• 3 straight flush
• 4 four of a kind
• 5 full house
• 6 flush
• 7 straight
• 8 three of a kind
• 9 two pair
• 10 one pair

Examples of poker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Bally’s recent pronouncement does deliver on prior threats, but the timing was suspect, looking more like a naked bluff at the poker table. — Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Lux Angeles is currently readying thriller Survive the Night, prison fight club drama Big Tiger, tropical island crime pic White Tide, redemption story Angel of Harlem and poker drama Aces High. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026

Trumpet player for Los Survivors Both boys were members of the unofficial lunchtime poker crew. — Ben Paviour august 17, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026

James Bord, the professional poker player and owner of Scottish club Dunfermline Athletic, had initially been named the preferred bidder by administrators on Christmas Eve, only to withdraw from the process in late February. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

probably modification of French poque, a card game similar to poker

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1534, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1827, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing poker

• draw poker
• poker face
• red-hot poker
• straight poker
• strip poker
• stud poker

Rhymes for poker

• broker
• choker
• coker
• croaker
• joker
• ochre
• smoker
• mediocre
• pawnbroker
• stockbroker

Kids Definition

poker

1 of 2 noun

pok·​er ˈpō-kər 

: one that pokes

especially : a metal rod for stirring a fire

poker

2 of 2 noun

po·​ker ˈpō-kər 

: a card game in which a player bets on the value of his or her hand