Origins of Poker Terms

“Nuts”, “Boat”, “Rounder”. In poker, we use many words or phrases to convey different things. But how did we get to use these terms? I’ve compiled a list of terms that are common, mostly in Hold’em. The links to where I found the information will be listed as well.

“Boat”: A full house. It is theorized that the term is originally a reference to riverboats common in areas where American poker started.

“Nuts”: The best possible hand. Called so because if one were to go all in during the time of wagon travel, they would put the nuts of their wagon wheel on the table so they couldn’t leave, a bet nobody would make unless they had an unbeatable hand.

“Rounder”: Professional poker player. Originated from horse racing meaning someone who “rounds” the horse track to place a bet.

“Wheel”: A-5 straight. Possibly comes from the Bicycle playing card packs having a big-wheeled bicycle on the front, which explains why the Wheel is also called the Bicycle. “Steel Wheel” is a wheel that’s also a straight fulsh.