A verbal declaration is a spoken action, one of fold, raise, call, etc., which the player makes. A player who says what they are doing is normally bound to their remarks and must perform the indicated action.

It is important to note that at most tables the verbal declaration is taken to be binding even when acting out of turn. That is, if a player indicates his intents before the player before him has acting, he will usually be bound to those actions. Acting out of turn is nonetheless frowned upon.