Sean Chaffin

Sean Chaffin is a full-time freelance writer based in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He covers poker, gambling, the casino industry, and numerous other topics. Follow him on Twitter at @PokerTraditions and email him at seanchaffin@sbcglobal.net.

Sean Chaffin 's Articles
An overpair is a pair in the hole that is higher than the highest card on the board. For example, in Hold’em we have QQ in the hole and the board texture is T72. We hold an overpair. This concept only makes sense in games where there are community cards, Hold’em and Omaha for example.
The term heads up refers to two handed poker. This would occur either because there are only two players dealt into a hand or because all other players at the table folded, leaving just two remaining. In a tournament the action becomes heads up when all other players have been knocked out of the tournament. The winner of the heads up match will win first prize in the tournament.
A dark bet or bet in the dark is a bet made without looking at all or any of the cards involved in a hand. For example, the player first to act on the flop in Hold’em, might make his flop betting decision before the flop cards have even been dealt. Naturally, betting in the dark is not an advisable strategy. It’s often used by players looking to gain a psychological advantage over their opponents or for entertainment value in the case of live TV.
In Short Deck poker all deuces, threes, fours, and fives are removed from the deck – leaving 36 cards to play with, which can result in a more action-packed game.