poker

¹

[poh-ker]

noun

1. a person or thing that pokes. poke.

2. a metal rod for poking poke or stirring a fire.

poker

²

[poh-ker]

noun

1. a card game played by two or more persons, in which the players bet on the value of their hands, the winner taking the pool.

poker

¹

/ ˈpəʊkə /

noun

1. a metal rod, usually with a handle, for stirring a fire

2. a person or thing that pokes

poker

²

/ ˈpəʊkə /

noun

1. a card game of bluff and skill in which bets are made on the hands dealt, the highest-ranking hand (containing the most valuable combinations of sequences and sets of cards) winning the pool

Word History and Origins

Origin of poker¹

First recorded in 1525–35; poke ¹ + -er ¹

Origin of poker²

1825–35, perhaps originally braggart, bluffer; compare Middle Low German poken to brag, play, Middle Dutch poken to bluff, brag

Word History and Origins

Origin of poker¹

C19: probably from French poque similar card game

Idioms and Phrases

• stiff as a board (poker)

Example Sentences

“The consumer is spending like a poker player with a small chip stack,” Rodrigo said in the report.

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The space will house more than 2,000 slot machines; live table games of blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold ’em and three-card poker; and rooms for exclusive games.

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Two men were charged with allegedly rigging poker games at two casinos in Southern California to win more than $30,000, according to authorities.

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Almost every month, I host a poker night.

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Thousands of feet below, a smattering of old homesteads spread out like playing cards on a poker table.

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