Age
Age is a term in poker used to describe the position relative to the dealer. It’s another way of saying “early” or “late” position on the table. Think of it as a way to mark where you are sitting in the pecking order for each hand. Being “in age” means you’re one of the first to act, while being “out of age” means you’re one of the last.
The origin of Age in Poker
The term “Age” in poker has its roots in the early days of the game, when players would refer to their positions around the table in relation to the dealer’s age or the age of the deck. It’s a bit of an old-school term but one that’s still understood by seasoned players. The concept started to take hold in the early 20th century as poker games became more structured and positional play became more crucial.
Examples of use:
“I’m not making that call; I’m in age and it’s too risky.”
Player 1: “Why did you fold? You had a decent hand.”
Player 2: “Yeah, but I was in age. Didn’t want to risk it.”
You can use it in real life too…
- “I feel like I’m always in age at work, constantly having to make the first move.”
- “Being in age in this family is tough; I always have to plan the holidays.”
- “When it comes to group projects, I hate being in age and having to take the lead.”
When playing, be aware:
Do:
Play cautiously when you’re in age. Being one of the first to act means you have less information about your opponents’ hands. Stick to strong hands and avoid getting overcommitted early on.
Don’t:
Don’t bluff too often when you’re in age. Since you’re one of the first to act, your bluff is less likely to be successful as there are more players left to respond to your bet. Save the bluffs for when you’re out of age.
Age means the same in other sports?
In chess, “age” isn’t used, but the concept of positioning and who moves first is crucial. In baseball, the term “age” means something completely different, referring to the actual age of the players.
Trivia
Did you know that the term “age” was first documented in a poker book published in 1905? It highlights how poker terminology has evolved over the years but still retains some of its old-world charm.
