Bad Beat in poker is a situation where a very strong hand loses to a weaker one, even though it was a clear favorite until the final cards. These hands are considered some of the most frustrating in the game because the decision was fine, but the result still turned bad.

How does a Bad Beat happen?

The usual pattern is simple: a player gets all the money in while ahead, the opponent is drawing thin, and still gets there on the turn or the river. For example, a strong pair or a set may lose to a straight, a flush, or a higher pair that comes together at the very end.

Why is this term used so often?

In poker, Bad Beat comes up all the time because these hands are more memorable than standard pots. They are frustrating, they shake a player’s mood, and they can easily lead to tilt. At the same time, a bad beat does not mean the hand was played badly. In fact, it often happens after the correct decision.

Is it part of poker or just bad luck?

It is both. There is bad luck in it, but in poker this is also a normal part of the long run. A Bad Beat does not cancel out the quality of the play. It only shows that even a strong hand does not win every time.