monkey flush: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical / Slang
Quick answer
What does “monkey flush” mean?
In poker (especially Texas Hold'em), a specific type of hand where a player has two unpaired cards, yet the community cards (the 'board') create a flush for all players, rendering the player's hand weak as it is unlikely to be the best flush.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In poker (especially Texas Hold'em), a specific type of hand where a player has two unpaired cards, yet the community cards (the 'board') create a flush for all players, rendering the player's hand weak as it is unlikely to be the best flush.
A situation of deceptive or false strength, where superficial appearances (like having cards of the same suit) suggest a strong position, but the underlying reality (lack of a high card in that suit) makes it weak and potentially costly. Can be metaphorically extended to any scenario that looks promising on the surface but is fundamentally flawed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The term is used in poker communities globally. The slang component 'monkey' may be slightly less common in formal British poker commentary, but the term is understood.
Connotations
Identical connotations of a deceptive, weak hand in poker.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to poker players and enthusiasts.
Grammar
How to Use “monkey flush” in a Sentence
[Player] + V (has/hit) + a monkey flushThe board + V (gives/creates) + a monkey flush + for [player]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monkey flush” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I got absolutely monkey-flushed in that hand.
- He's worried about monkey-flushing his stack.
American English
- I totally monkey-flushed and lost my buy-in.
- Don't monkey flush your chips on a draw like that.
adjective
British English
- It was a monkey-flush situation, terribly unlucky.
- He made a monkey-flush call and lost.
American English
- That's such a monkey-flush hand, just fold it.
- I was in a monkey-flush spot and had to guess.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Metaphorically: 'Their new market strategy is a monkey flush—it looks flashy but has no real competitive advantage.'
Academic
Virtually non-existent outside of game theory or probability studies discussing poker.
Everyday
Extremely rare unless among poker players. Would likely require explanation.
Technical
Primary domain: Poker strategy and discussion. Used to describe a specific, undesirable hand scenario.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monkey flush”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monkey flush”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monkey flush”
- Using it as a general synonym for any bad hand (it specifically requires a flush on the board).
- Confusing it with 'bust' or 'blank'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. All monkey flushes are flushes, but they are the specific, weakest type of flush that is very unlikely to win the pot because someone else likely has a higher card of the same suit.
Yes, but only as a metaphorical extension. It would describe any project, plan, or situation that appears successful on the surface (like having a flush) but is fundamentally weak and doomed to fail (like having the lowest possible cards).
Proceed with extreme caution or fold. Betting aggressively with a monkey flush is usually a recipe for losing a large amount of money, as any player with a higher card of the same suit will beat you.
Yes. 'Monkey' can slang for £500 or $500, or refer to a mischievous person. In this context, it derives from older slang where 'monkey' meant something foolish or trivial.
In poker (especially Texas Hold'em), a specific type of hand where a player has two unpaired cards, yet the community cards (the 'board') create a flush for all players, rendering the player's hand weak as it is unlikely to be the best flush.
Monkey flush is usually technical / slang in register.
Monkey flush: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌŋki flʌʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌŋki flʌʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't go chasing monkey flushes. (Metaphorical: Don't pursue options that look good but are fundamentally weak.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a monkey (something silly and weak) proudly showing off a straight line of colorful flowers (a flush). It looks pretty, but it's just flowers—it can't win a real card game.
Conceptual Metaphor
APPEARANCE OF SUCCESS IS A STRONG POKER HAND / TRUE WEAKNESS IS A WORTHLESS POKER HAND. A situation that mimics the outward signs of success (a flush) but lacks the crucial, high-value component needed to actually succeed.
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of a 'monkey flush'?