A playable hand refers to the subjective criteria as to whether a particular set of cards is playable in a given situation. It is a consideration of both the specific odds of the cards and the manoeuvrability with respect to other players at the table.

In specific use it tends to refer only to the initial cards dealt to a player and serves as an indicator of whether the player should pay to see another card. It may however be used to refer to the situation at any point during play.