Street
Street is a term used in poker to refer to each round of betting on a hand. Think of it like chapters in a book; each street reveals more of the story. In Texas Hold’em and Omaha, there are four streets: pre-flop, flop, turn, and river.
The origin of Street in Poker
The term “street” in poker dates back to the early days of the game. It was likely borrowed from old-timey gambling slang, where each round of betting was akin to walking down a street, revealing more as you go. The term became popular in the 19th century and has stuck around ever since.
Examples of use:
“He went all-in on the river, the final street.”
Player 1: “I hit the nuts on the turn street!”
Player 2: “Nice, I’m still waiting for the river street to make my flush.”
You can use it in real life too…
- “I’m just on the flop street of my workout routine, still figuring things out.”
- “Dude, our project is on the turn street. We need to wrap things up!”
- “Final exams are like the river street of the semester.”
When playing, be aware:
Do: Pay attention to betting patterns on each street
Understanding how players bet on each street can give you valuable insight into their hands. If someone suddenly raises big on the river, they might’ve hit their draw. Use this info to make smarter decisions.
Don’t: Overcommit on early streets
Going all-in or making massive bets on the flop can be risky. You’re only seeing part of the board. Save those big moves for when you have a clearer picture, like on the turn or river.
Street means the same in other sports?
In poker, “street” is unique and doesn’t have the same meaning in other sports. However, it’s somewhat similar to “periods” in hockey or “quarters” in basketball, where each segment reveals more about the game.
Trivia
Did you know that the term “street” is also used in horse racing? There, it refers to the final stretch of the race, similar to the river in poker where the final cards are revealed. Both signify the closing chapter where the outcome is decided.
