Poker Hand Nicknames - The Complete List

Introduction

Poker players have a language of their own, including giving catchy nicknames to various hands. Whether based on a celebrity, a phrase, or something that sounds funny, these Poker names add fun and thrill to the game.

Here are some of the most popular Poker hand nicknames and their origins.

Poker Hand Names

Pocket Pairs

Pocket Aces (AA)

• Bullets: The two aces resemble two bullets standing upright.
• American Airlines: Reflects the initials ‘AA’, similar to the airline’s logo.
• Pocket Rockets: Each ace looks like the nose of a rocket, hinting at the power this hand packs.

Pocket Kings (KK)

• Cowboys: Kings are often associated with the Wild West and cowboy imagery.
• King Kong: A nod to the powerful giant ape, symbolizing the strength of this hand.

Pocket Queens (QQ)

• Ladies: Refers to the feminine symbol of queens.
• Siegfried and Roy: Named after the famous magician duo known for associating with tigers.

Pocket Jacks (JJ)

• Hooks: Each ‘J’ has a hook-like appearance, mirroring the shape of an actual hook.
• Fishhooks: Emphasizes the shape and can suggest this hand can sometimes ‘catch’ trouble if not handled well.

Pocket Tens (TT)

• Dimes: Ten cents is commonly called a dime, so a pair of tens are often called dimes.

Pocket Nines (99)

• Popeyes: Named after the cartoon character Popeye, who has bulging eyes similar to two nines.
• Phil Hellmuth: A nod to the legendary poker player who won WSOP with this hand in 1989.

Pocket Eights (88)

• Snowmen: Each ‘8’ resembles the shape of a snowman, with two circles stacked on top of each other.
• Piano Keys: There are 88 keys on a standard piano.

Pocket Sevens (77)

• Hockey Sticks: A seven's shape resembles a hockey stick's curvature.
• Walking Sticks: These are also known as walking sticks because of the cane-like shape of the sevens.

Pocket Sixes (66)

• Route 66: Refers to the iconic U.S. highway, conjuring images of open roads and the American dream.
• Boots: Each six resembles the shape of a boot, particularly cowboy boots.

Pocket Fives (55)

• Nickels: Each five is a nickel, the five-cent piece.
• Presto: Based on a popular poker anecdote, a player wins a big pot with pocket fives by calling ‘Presto!’ for luck.

Pocket Fours (44)

• Sailboats: The shape of the ‘4’ can resemble a small sailboat.
• Magnum: Named after the .44 Magnum handgun.

Pocket Threes (33)

• Crabs: Each ‘3’ looks like a claw, and a pair resembles crabs.
• Treys: Commonly referred to as treys, a classic card-playing term for three.

Pocket Twos (22)

• Ducks: Each “2” resembles a duck with a curved neck and body.

Non-Pocket Pair Hands

Ace-King (AK)

• Big Slick: Known for its potential to create powerful hands but for the risk of losing big if the board does not cooperate.
• Anna Kournikova: Named after the tennis player known more for her looks than for winning championships—meaning it often looks good but doesn’t always win.

Ace-Queen (AQ)

• Little Slick: Similar to Ace-King, but slightly weaker.
• Mrs. Slick: Seen as the partner to Big Slick.

Ace-Jack (AJ)

• Blackjack: When combined, the Ace and Jack add up to 21, the best blackjack hand.
• Ajax: A mix of the initials ‘A’ and ‘J’, also the name of a famous mythical warrior.

Ace-Ten (AT)

• Johnny Moss: Named after the legendary poker player, a three-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champion.
• Bookends: The ‘A’ is the beginning of the alphabet, and ‘T’ marks the end of the numbered cards.

King-Queen (KQ)

• Royal Couple: Symbolizes the ultimate pairing of royalty in a deck.
• Marriage: Similar to a royal couple, it implies they belong together.

King-Jack (KJ)

• Kojak: Named after the TV character Kojak, known for his intelligence and toughness.
• Jack Kennedy: A nod to President John F. Kennedy.

King-Ten (KT)

• Katie: Derived from the initials ‘K-T’.
• Ken and Barbie: This pairing suggests a superficial appeal that isn’t always backed up by substance.

Queen-Jack (QJ)

• Maverick: Named after the TV show character Bret Maverick, a poker player.
• Quack: A combination of Queen and Jack.

Queen-Ten (QT)

• Quint: A shortened term based on the initials ‘Q-T’. It is considered quirky yet potentially strong.
• Cutie: This name plays on the ‘Q-T’ initials and implies it looks good, though it might be weak.

Jack-Ten (JT)

• Justin Timberlake: Named after the initials ‘J-T’ of the pop star, suggesting it is a stylish hand.
• T. J. Hooker: Named after the 1980s TV show featuring William Shatner.

Ten-Nine (T9)

• Countdown: The descending order (10, 9) gives the feeling of a countdown, with the potential to create strong straights.

Ten-Eight (T8)

• Tetris: Due to slight phonetic resemblance.

Nine-Eight (98)

• Oldsmobile: Named after the classic car model ‘Oldsmobile 98’.

Nine-Seven (92)

• Montana Banana: Named for the curved shape of a banana and a nod to the Big Sky State.

Seven-Two (72)

• The Hammer: It is often considered the worst starting hand, yet it can be a favourite for bluffing.
  
• Beer Hand: This hand is so bad that it is a joke. You should only play it if you are drinking.

Other Interesting Nicknames

Five-Five (55)

• Snakes: Refers to the curvy nature of the numbers, with a hint of danger.
• The Wheel: Part of a low straight, as in ‘5, 4, 3, 2, Ace’.

Six-Four (64)

• Billion Dollar Hand: Reference to the renowned classic television series ‘The $64,000 Question’.

Seven-Four (74)

• Double Down: Adds up to 11, an important number for doubling down in blackjack.
• Kalashnikov: Refers to the legendary AK-47 and AK-74 assault rifles designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Poker hands called?

Poker hands are card combinations that assess a player's strength in the game. Common hands include Royal Flush, Straight, Full House, Two Pair, and high-card hands such as Ace-Queen (AQ). Each hand often has nicknames, like ‘Cowboys’ for pocket Kings (KK) or ‘Snowmen’ for Eights (88).

Why do Poker hands have nicknames?

Poker hand nicknames add personality and humour to the game, making it more engaging for players. They also help players communicate quickly and effectively at the table.

What is A2345 in slang?

The hand A2345 is a ‘Bicycle’ or simply ‘The Wheel’. This is the lowest straight possible in Poker and is unique for being an Ace-low straight, often valuable in games like Omaha Hi-Lo.

Conclusion

Learning the names of hands in Poker adds a fun and colourful layer to the game, giving each hand its own identity. They serve as a reminder that Poker involves storytelling at the table just as much as it does winning chips. Regardless of your hand, knowing these nicknames adds an entertaining twist to conversations on the table and enriches your understanding of vibrant Poker culture.