Fish

Fish is poker slang for a weak or inexperienced player who consistently makes strategic errors. Fish play too many hands, call too often, bluff at wrong times, and generally fail to understand fundamental poker concepts like position, pot odds, and hand ranges.

Fish are the primary source of profit in poker. Without weaker players losing money, the rake would consume all players' bankrolls over time. The poker ecosystem depends on fish: recreational players who play for fun and accept losses as entertainment costs.

Identifying fish at the table is a critical skill. Look for players who limp into many pots, call bets on every street, show down weak hands, and react emotionally to losses. When you find a fish, position yourself to their left (where you act after them) and focus on playing pots against them with solid hands.