The term maverick is a nickname for a strong poker player. It possibly originated from the 1994 western comedy Maverick starring Mel Gibson. The movie itself is based on a TV series of the same name originating back in 1957.

The term maverick is also used as a nickname for the starting hand QJ in Hold’em, whether it is suited or unsuited.

In this guide we’ll learn the following - 

Why Is Maverick A Nickname For a Good Poker Player?

This term presumably originated from the 1994 western comedy Maverick starring Mel Gibson as the protagonist. The movie itself is based on the TV series Maverick which first aired in 1957. Although the nickname may have originated from the TV series rather than the movie, it seems most poker players alive today would be more familiar with the 1994 movie simply because the TV series aired so long ago. 

Why Is Maverick A Nickname For QJ In Poker?

The lyrics to the theme tune for the 1957 TV series Maverick included the phrase ‘living on Jacks and Queens’. It seems very few poker players alive today would remember the TV show, but the nickname Maverick to denote QJ (queen-jack) is still occasionally used. Note that the nickname Maverick is used regardless of whether the QJ is suited or offsuit. 

What Is The Best Strategy For Playing QJ (Maverick) In Hold’em?

The best way to play QJ (sometimes given the nickname maverick) will depend partly on whether our QJ is suited or offsuit. The stack depth is also an extremely important consideration. QJo (offsuit) will often make a relatively weak top pair which is fine if the stacks are quite shallow (

Is The Term Maverick Used Much In Poker?

The term Maverick is used as either a nickname for a good poker player or a nickname for the starting hand QJ (queen-jack) in Hold’em. The nickname is used quite rarely and the average poker player may have no idea what this nickname refers to. Older players who have seen the 1994 movie or 1957 TV series Maverick might have a better understanding of what this nickname means. 

Summary Of Maverick In Poker

Maverick is simply either a nickname for a very good poker player or a nickname for the starting hand QJ (queen-jack) in Hold’em (whether suited or unsuited). The nickname has its origins in the 1994 poker movie Maverick starring Mel Gibson or the 1957 TV series Maverick which the 1994 movie was based on.

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