What is a Board in Poker?
In poker, the term “Board” refers to the community cards that are dealt face-up in the center of the table and shared by all players during a game of Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and several other poker variants. Understanding the board is crucial because it determines the strength of your hand in relation to your opponents.
Fundamentals of the Term Board in Poker
The poker board is the common cards dealt by the dealer offline or by a random number generator online. At the beginning of the game, the board is empty, and the players have only pocket cards in their hands, which are not visible to anyone else but them. The board consists of five community cards dealt in three stages:
- The Flop: The first three community cards;
- The Turn: The fourth community card;
- The River: The fifth and final community card.
These stages progressively reveal more information to the players, allowing them to make strategic decisions based on the potential strength of their hands.
Types of Boards
Boards are usually divided into many types, depending on the cards on the flop. At the moment, there are quite a lot of types of boards. However, the main always remains the following two:
- Dry Board: A dry board features unconnected cards, making it less likely for players to have completed strong hands or drawing hands.
- Wet Board: A wet board contains cards that are closely connected, which increases the chances for straights, flushes, and other strong combinations.
Dry & Wet Boards: Example Poker Situation
For instance, if the flop shows 7♦ 8♠ 9♥, this is a wet board as it presents potential for straight draws. Players need to be cautious and consider the possibilities as the hand progresses to the turn and river.
Imagine a scenario where the flop shows the cards 2♣, 7♦, and Q♠. This arrangement represents a dry board, with unconnected cards that are unlikely to form strong hands. In this situation, players holding tens, jacks, or even small pairs have limited chances to create powerful combinations, reducing the likelihood that opponents possess a strong hand.