Fish
Slang for a weak or inexperienced player. Not a polite term, but widely used in poker culture.
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What Is Fish?
The term describes a player whose mistakes make them a consistent source of profit for more skilled opponents at the table. Poker rooms and strategy discussions often use the term neutrally as shorthand for describing skill level and expected profitability, though it can be considered derogatory when used directly at or about a specific person.
Examples
A strong player deliberately sits at a table with several fish to maximize their expected win rate.
Table selection software helps online players identify tables likely to contain fish based on stats like VPIP.
Strategy Tips
Use table selection actively to seek out tables and games with more fish, since your win rate against weak opposition is dramatically higher than against tough regulars. Avoid unnecessarily complex bluffs against fish, who are statistically more likely to call down with weak holdings than fold to pressure. Value bet more thinly against fish, since they often pay off with weaker hands than a typical regular would. Stay respectful at the table regardless of terminology used in strategy discussions, since directly labeling opponents can create a hostile playing environment.