Poker has a way of getting into your head. Over the years, some things said at the poker table became famous quotes that players still repeat today. Whether it’s something funny, wise, or just inspiring, these poker quotes remind us why we love the game.
We’ve collected the most iconic poker quotes – the kind that can make you smile, think, or play a little smarter. Let’s dive in.
Funniest Poker Quotes
Poker can be serious business, but these quotes show that it’s also full of laughs.
- “A pair of balls beats everything!” – Unknown player
- “The Main Event is the only tournament in the history of poker you never have to bluff…” – Mike Matusow
- “To be a poker champion, you must have a strong bladder.” – Jack McClelland
- “The object of poker is to keep your money away from Phil Ivey for as long as possible.” – Gus Hansen
- “Money isn’t everything unless you’re playing a rebuy tournament.” – Unknown
- “Poker is a lot like sex. Everyone thinks they are the best, but most don’t have a clue what they are doing.” – Dutch Boyd
- “Poker is 100% skill and 50% luck.” – Phil Hellmuth
- “Why do the pushing when the donkey will do the pulling?” – Daniel Negreanu
- “No-limit hold’em: Hours of boredom followed by moments of sheer terror.” – Tom McEvoy
- “That’s a position raise – I call.” – TeddyKGB, Rounders
- “Limit poker is a science, but no-limit is an art…” – Crandell Addington
- “I had to make a choice between being a lawyer or a professional gambler…” – Chip Reese
- “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to be good at poker.” – Phil Gordon
- “It’s not whether you won or lost, but how many bad beat stories you were able to tell!” – Grantland Rice
- “Of course I lied. It’s poker.” – Tony Guoga
- “No river, no fish.” – Amarillo Slim
- “Poker has the feeling of a sport, but you don’t have to do push-ups.” – Penn Gillette
- “My favorite chip trick is to make everyone’s chip stack disappear!” – Amarillo Slim
- “Going on tilt is not ‘mixing up your play.’” – Steve Badger
Inspirational Poker Quotes
These quotes can give you the motivation to stay focused, stay sharp, and keep playing your best.
- “Money won is twice as sweet as money earned.” – Paul Newman
- “In order to be a successful gambler, you have to have a complete disregard for money.” – Doyle Brunson
- “Fold and live to fold again.” – Stu Ungar
- “Everybody will eventually run worse than they thought was possible. The difference between a winner and a loser is, that the latter thinks they do not deserve it.” – Irieguy
- “A man with money is no match against a man on a mission.” – Doyle Brunson
- “Play like a champ, win like a champ, act like a champ.” – Frank Henderson
- “The key to No-Limit is to put a man to a decision for all his chips.” – Doyle Brunson
- “Poker is a fascinating, wonderful, intricate adventure on the high seas of human nature.” – David A. Daniel
- “Don’t get mad that you lost, get mad because you didn’t win.” – Michael Gersitz
- “I’m absolutely gonna win it, because I’m ruthless. I sit at the poker table and my job is to destroy people.” – James Woods
- “Show me a good loser, and I’ll show you a loser.” – Stu Ungar
Smartest Poker Quotes (Words of Wisdom)
These quotes give you deep thoughts about the game – and sometimes, about life.
- “If you can’t spot the sucker in the first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker.” – Rounders
- “Nobody is always a winner, and anybody who says he is, is either a liar or doesn’t play poker.” – Amarillo Slim
- “The rule is this: You spot a man’s tell, you don’t say a f*cking word.” – Rounders
- “You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once.” – Amarillo Slim
- “You will show your poker greatness by the hands you fold, not the hands you play.” – Dan Reed
- “Life is not always a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes playing a poor hand well.” – Jack London
- “In the long run there’s no luck in poker, but the short run is longer than most people know.” – Rick Bennet
- “The smarter you play, the luckier you’ll be.” – Mark Pilarski
- “Poker is a wonderful card game, the money is just a convenient way of keeping score.” – Amarillo Slim
- “The cardinal sin in poker is becoming emotionally involved.” – Katy Lederer
- “Show me your eyes and you may as well show me your cards.” – Doyle Brunson
- “I think one of the interesting things about poker is that once you let your ego in, you’re done for.” – Al Alvarez
Famous Poker Quotes from TV, Movies, and Pros
These quotes became popular through films, ads, or unforgettable moments at the poker table.
- “One Time!” – Unknown player
- “Raisey Daisy!” – Sammy Farha
- “One day a chump, the next day a champion…” – Mike Sexton
- “Pay that man his money.” – Teddy KGB, Rounders
- “I’m all in.” – Tom Dwan
- “I call.” – Viktor ‘Isildur1’ Blom
- “Come learn, chat and play with the pros.” – Full Tilt Poker ad
- “I like to see lots of flops.” – Gus Hansen
- “I got top-top.” – Jamie Gold
- “The one who bets the most wins. Cards just break ties.” – Sammy Farha
- “Ship It!” – Unknown player
- “Poker is like sex – it’s more fun when you go all-in!” – Anonymous
- “The name of the game is no-limit Texas Hold’em: The game that takes a minute to learn but a lifetime to master.” – Mike Sexton
- “Hold’em is to stud what chess is to checkers.” – Johnny Moss
Final Thoughts
Some of these poker quotes are smart, some are silly, and some go straight to the heart of the game. But no matter what, they all show how deep and exciting poker can be. If you’ve got a favorite quote that’s not here, feel free to share it!
And if these words got you fired up, maybe it’s time to shuffle up and deal.
FAQ
What are some gambling quotes?
Gambling has inspired many quotes over the years. Here are a few well-known ones:
- “Money won is twice as sweet as money earned.” – Paul Newman
- “The only bad luck for a good gambler is bad health.” – Benny Binion
- “Trust everyone, but always cut the cards.” – Benny Binion
- “The guy who invented poker was bright, but the guy who invented the chip was a genius.” – Julius Weintraub
- “If you can’t spot the sucker in the first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker.” – Matt Damon in Rounders
These quotes show how gambling mixes risk, skill, and human nature.
Do you say good luck in poker?
Yes, players often say “good luck” before a poker hand or tournament. It’s a polite and common phrase, but it’s not always taken seriously.
Some players prefer saying “glgl” (short for “good luck, good luck”) online. Others may avoid saying it at all, especially in high-stakes games where skill matters more than luck.
Still, saying “good luck” is a friendly gesture at the table — not a superstition.
What do dealers say in poker?
Poker dealers follow standard phrases during games. Some common things they say include:
- “Shuffle up and deal!” – Often used to start a game or tournament.
- “Check, bet, call, raise, fold” – These match player actions.
- “All in and a call” – When a player goes all-in and another calls.
- “One player per hand” – A reminder not to help others during play.
- “Showdown” – Time to reveal cards after the final betting round.
- “Pot is right” – When confirming the total in the pot.
Dealers keep the game running fairly and smoothly, using clear and neutral language.
How does poker relate to life?
Poker and life have a lot in common. Here are a few ways they connect:
- You don’t control the cards — but you can control how you play them. Like life, poker involves dealing with what you’re given and making the best of it.
- Reading people is important. In poker, you try to read your opponents. In life, understanding others helps with communication, relationships, and decisions.
- It’s not always about luck — it’s about smart choices. Poker teaches patience, discipline, and strategy — just like real-life success.
- You win some, you lose some. Poker reminds us that losing is part of the game — and part of life too. The key is learning and moving forward.
As Jack London once said: “Life is not always a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes playing a poor hand well.”
