[Ads-l] help - origin of Poker terms

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

Here is a story from the Associated Press in May 1975. I think it is
interesting because the fourth and fifth cards are both called "flop"
instead of "turn" or "river".

Date: May 19, 1975
Newspaper: The Decatur Herald
Newspaper Location: Decatur, Illinois
Article: Poker Champion Played for One Simple Reason: Money
Author: Associated Press
Quote Page 1, Column 5
Database: Newspapers.com

[Begin excerpt]
In "Hold 'em" poker played at the championship, each player is dealt
two cards face down. Three cards are dealt face up in the center of
the table. As betting progresses, two more cards are dealt face up.
Each such deal is called a "flop."
[End excerpt]

Garson

On Wed, Nov 9, 2022 at 11:07 AM Pete Morris <mr_peter_morris at outlook.com> wrote:
>
> I am a keen poker player.  I'm curious about a number of
> poker terms whose origin is obscure.
>
> But perhaps  nobody ever asked the wizards of ADS.
>
> What is the earliest known cite for the following terms?
>
> Can anyone here find  antedatings?  Or early cites that suggest
> an origin?
>
> The Flop - the first three community cards in Hold'em or Omaha
>
> The Turn - the fourth community card
>
> The River - the fifth community card
>
> The preceding three  have been  discussed at length in poker circles.
> There are speculations,  but nothing definite known.  I'm also curious
> about the following.  It's possible they have definite known origins,
> but
> I don't know them.
>
>
> The nuts - an unbeatable poker hand
>
> Boat - another name for full house
>
> bubble - The last finishing position in a poker tournament before
> entering the payout structure
>
> bug - a limited wild card. Can be used to complete a straight or flush,
> but not, for instance, four of a kind.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org