In poker, Dog is short for Underdog—a player or hand that’s less likely to win in a given situation. If you’re the dog in a hand, it means the odds are against you based on the current cards or known ranges.
Being the dog doesn’t mean you’re doomed—just that, mathematically, you’re behind. You might be a slight dog (like 45% vs. 55%) or a massive dog (like 10% vs. 90%). The term is all about probability, not emotions or effort.
You’ll hear it often in tournament and cash game analysis, and even more so in crossover discussions with sports betting, where underdog vs. favorite is a common theme.
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