Zombie
Zombie is a poker term used to describe a player who has re-entered a tournament after being eliminated. Just like a zombie in the movies, this player comes back to life and is back in the game. They’ve been knocked out, but they’re not staying down!
The origin of Zombie in Poker
The term “zombie” in poker started gaining traction in the late 2000s as re-entry tournaments became more popular. Players who busted out early had the option to buy back in, and those who did were often referred to as zombies because they were back from the dead. There’s no single person credited with coining the term, but it’s become a fun and popular way to describe these tenacious players.
Examples of use:
“Watch out, we’ve got a zombie at the table. They just re-entered and are looking for revenge!”
Player A: “Didn’t you just get knocked out?”
Player B: “Yeah, but I re-entered. I’m a zombie now!”
You can use it in real life too…
- “I missed my first flight, but I got a new ticket. Zombie mode activated!”
- “Got fired and rehired at the same job. I’m the office zombie now.”
- “Failed the test, but retook it and passed. Call me the zombie student!”
When playing, be aware:
Do: Be strategic with your re-entries
When you re-enter a tournament, don’t just jump back in without a plan. Assess the table dynamics and your opponents’ stacks. This will help you make more strategic decisions and avoid getting knocked out again quickly. Playing smart can turn your zombie status into a winning comeback.
Don’t: Let emotions drive your decisions
Getting eliminated can be frustrating, but don’t let that drive you to make rash decisions when you re-enter. Keep a cool head and stick to your strategy. Emotional decisions can lead to quick eliminations, making your zombie resurrection short-lived.
Zombie means the same in other sports?
In esports, especially games like Fortnite and PUBG, “zombie” can also refer to players who have been revived by teammates. It carries a similar meaning of coming back from the brink of elimination.
In online gaming like MMORPGs, “zombie” can mean a character that has been revived or brought back to life through in-game mechanics, again aligning with the poker meaning.
In traditional sports, “zombie” isn’t commonly used with the same meaning. It might be used more metaphorically to describe a team or player who makes an unexpected comeback, but it’s not a standard term.
Trivia
Did you know that the concept of re-entry tournaments, and thus the term “zombie,” is a relatively new phenomenon in the poker world? Before the 2000s, most tournaments were freezeouts, meaning once you were out, you were out. The rise of re-entry tournaments has added a whole new layer of strategy and excitement to the game.
