What is Play the Board in Poker?

In Hold’em, when a player reaches showdown where his/her best possible hand is comprised of the five community cards, that player is said to be playing the board.

For example, if you hold 7♦ 7♣ and the board runs out 7♠ 8♠ 9♥ T♦ J♣, you’re playing the board, as the jack-high straight made up of the community cards is your best hand.