Gambling terms, explained straight

Poker

Poker rules dealer

A poker dealer is the person who distributes cards and manages the pot, or the player position marked by the dealer button that determines betting order.

Also called
dealer button, button, buck12
Applies to
Poker games where the dealer role rotates or is represented by a button45

Key points

  • In button games, the dealer button moves left after each hand; the player in that seat acts according to betting-order rules.45
  • In dealer’s-choice formats, the dealer position selects the variant for the hand or orbit, e.g. nine hands at a nine-handed table.3

Where this term is used

Poker Poker betting rules Explains the order and options for wagering in poker games. Poker Pl o poker rules Covers the specific rules for Pot-Limit Omaha poker. Poker Poker dealing rules Details the procedures for dealing cards in poker. Poker Poker raise rules Explains the rules and limits for raising in poker. Poker Straddle poker rules Describes the straddle bet and its effect on poker action. Poker Poker hold em rules Outlines the rules for Texas Hold'em poker.

Sources

  1. Glossary of poker terms en.wikipedia.org Supports the alternative names for the dealer position.
  2. Button (poker) en.wikipedia.org Supports the alternative names for the dealer position.
  3. Dealer's choice en.wikipedia.org Supports the dealer's choice format and orbit example.
  4. Poker Rules pagat.com Supports the application of the dealer role in button games.
  5. ROBERTS RULES OF POKER pagat.com Supports the application of the dealer role in button games.

Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.

Written and maintained by Ellis Warrender, writer and maintainer.

Last updated 28 July 2026. Spotted an error? Tell me and it gets fixed and logged on the corrections page.