Yo
Yo is a slang term in poker for the number 11, especially when referring to the roll of two dice in games like craps. In poker, it’s not as common but can be used in casual settings to refer to an 11 or an ace and a face card combination (like Ace-Jack). Imagine you’re in a friendly home game and someone rolls out the phrase “Yo!” when they hit that 11. It’s all about bringing some street cred to the poker table.
The origin of Yo in Poker
The term “Yo” originally comes from craps, a dice game where players bet on the outcome of the roll. When players wanted to avoid confusion between the numbers 7 and 11, they started calling 11 “Yo” (as in, “Yo-leven”). This slang trickled down into poker, adding a bit of that old-school casino flair to the lingo. It’s like borrowing a leather jacket from your cooler, older cousin.
Examples of use:
“I hit Yo on that roll, let’s go!”
Player 1: “Did you just say Yo?”
Player 2: “Yeah, man. I got an Ace and a Jack, that’s Yo!”
Player 1: “Nice! Let’s see if Yo can take the pot.”
You can use it in real life too…
- “Got an 11 on my exam score. Yo, that’s a win!”
- “Managed to get the last two tickets to the concert. Yo!”
- “Finished the 11th mile of my run. Yo, feeling good!”
When playing, be aware:
Do: Use it to add some personality
Adding some fun language like “Yo” can lighten the mood at the table and make the game more enjoyable. Just make sure everyone’s on the same page. If your table is too serious, it might not land well.
Don’t: Overuse the slang
While it’s fun to sprinkle in some slang, overusing it can become annoying. Moderation is key. You don’t want to sound like you’re auditioning for a 90s hip-hop video.
Yo means the same in other sports?
In craps, “Yo” is the exact same term for 11, used to avoid confusion with 7.
Other games or sports might not use “Yo” in the same way. For example, in basketball, “Yo” is just a casual greeting or a call for attention, not related to any specific score or play.
Trivia
Did you know that “Yo” became popular in the 1920s among craps players in New York City? It was a way to keep the game moving smoothly and avoid confusion. So the next time you hear “Yo” at the poker table, know that it’s a little slice of history making its way into modern play.
