Terminology

[Ralle]

The term bad beat is often used to describe a situation where someone who shouldn't have been in a pot wins it after catching one or more miracle cards. E.g. catching a runner-runner or completing a gutshot on the river in a pot that wasn't very big to begin with.

But isn't it also a bad beat when a very good hand beats another very good hand? E.g. KK losing to AA, or a set losing to a bigger set?

[Louie Landale]

In practice, I believe the following is a prioritized list of "Bad Beat"'s use:

[1] Hero thought he was going to win and lost, and felt bad or was surprised about it. This has nothing to do with whether Villian played reasonably or whether Hero actually every had the best hand. If Hero draws dead and makes it, its often a "bad beat". If Hero Bluffs ad Villian calls with K high, its a "bad beat".

[2] Villian was an unlikely winner. This covers the set-under-set 1-outer. It also covers the case where Hero gave free cards.

[2] Villian should have known he was an unlikely winner but called and made it. This "should" be the definition, IMHO, but it isn't.

- Louie