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

In poker, that’s called buying the pot. —Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026

On Derby Day in 1923, four masked bandits raided the hotel poker room, escaping into the crowds with what would now amount to a small fortune. —Hillary Richard, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026

New Orleans, Louisiana The city that gave birth to jazz, Sazeracs, poker, and po’boys, New Orleans has never lost its groove. —Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026

Say a poker player pays realizes $100,000 in winnings over the course of the year, but also incurs $110,000 in losses. —Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 21 Apr. 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