Table and rules
Board in poker
Definition
The community cards dealt face up in the middle of the table, shared by all players.
In Texas Hold'em the board grows to five cards: three on the flop, one on the turn and one on the river. Every player combines the board with their own hole cards.
Reading the board is a core skill. Its texture (paired, suited, connected) decides which hands are strong and which draws are possible.
Example
A board of K♠7♦2♣ is dry and rainbow; J♥10♥9♠ is wet and connected.
Related terms
- FlopThe first three community cards, dealt together after the first betting round.
- TurnThe fourth community card, dealt after the flop betting round; also called fourth street.
- RiverThe fifth and last community card, dealt after the turn betting round; also called fifth street.
- Wet boardA board with many possible draws, usually connected cards of the same suits, such as J♥10♥8♠.
- Dry boardA board with few possible draws, usually unconnected cards of different suits, such as K♠7♦2♣.