# poker

/ˈpoʊkɝ/ (US) · /pˈəʊkɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/poker
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the card game

noun · CEFR B1

a card game where players bet on the value of the cards they hold.

For teachers: a family of card games involving wagering and individual play whereby the winner is determined by the ranks and combinations of their cards.

- He won a lot of money playing poker with his friends on Friday night.
- Professional poker requires not only a firm grasp of mathematical probability but also the psychological acuity to read an opponent's subtle physical cues.

### 2. fireplace tool

noun · CEFR B2

a metal rod used to move wood or coal in a fire.

For teachers: a metal implement, typically made of wrought iron, used for adjusting burning fuel in a fireplace or furnace.

- She used the iron poker to push the logs back into the center of the fire.
- The heavy brass poker leaned against the hearth, its tip blackened from years of stoking the evening fires.

### 3. a knife

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · British English · Dialect

a slang word for a knife.

For teachers: a slang term for a knife or similar bladed weapon.

- The gang members were caught carrying pokers in the street.
- In certain urban dialects, the term 'poker' has emerged as a common synonym for a concealed blade used in street confrontations.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to Multicultural London English (MLE) and is considered highly informal or criminal slang; avoid using it in general conversation.

### 4. to play the game

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to play the game of poker.

For teachers: to engage in a game of poker; used intransitively.

- They spent the whole weekend pokering in a small cabin by the lake.
- The group spent the rainy afternoon pokering for matchsticks, as nobody had brought any actual currency to the retreat.

## Examples

- We play poker every Friday night for small stakes.
- He maintained a calm expression during the poker game so no one could guess he was bluffing.
- Professional poker requires not only a deep understanding of mathematical probability but also the psychological discipline to manage risk and read the subtle physical cues of opponents.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.