Online Casino Terms, Phrases, and Slang A-Z

Get familiar with online casino terms to improve your understanding of casino games and participate in conversations with other players.
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Patrik Lidin
Writer: Principal Writer and Editor / Head of Content
Experience: Sports Trader, Market Maker, Product Owner Sportsbook, Professional Gambler, Poker Player
Reviewed by:   Expert review board
Table of Content

A

Ace Poor or Rich

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: In blackjack, "ace poor" refers to a situation where fewer aces have been dealt than statistically expected. Conversely, an "ace-rich" game is characterized by more aces being dealt than players would typically anticipate.
  • Usefulness: If you don’t know how to count cards but keep track of the aces, you can improve your game.
  • Example: If the game is “ace poor,” and you know how many aces have been dealt and how many are left, you can anticipate that more aces can be expected to be dealt in future hands. 

Action

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Action is the total sum, or pot, awarded to the winning player of the current round or game.
  • Usefulness: A slang that is most often used in conversations.
  • Example: “There was a lot of action that hand; several players made splits and doubled down, and in the end, the dealer went bust.”

Active Payline

  • Casino Game: Online slots
  • Definition: Players can select specific paylines for potential winning combinations in most online slot games. These chosen lines are referred to as active paylines, indicating that they are engaged in the game and can result in wins for the player.
  • Usefulness: Active paylines are a helpful term for online slot players, as the number of active paylines directly affects the total cost of their wager.
  • Example: Players who want to maximize their chances of winning a progressive jackpot should activate as many paylines as they can afford to play.

Aggregate Limit

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The maximum amount of money a hand or casino game can pay out.
  • Usefulness: Knowing the aggregate limit before you play is essential to determine whether you're playing a game with a capped payout.
  • Example: The aggregate limit for a Blackjack table was $25,000, and even though the player's winnings resulted in $32,000, the casino would only pay $25,000.

American Roulette

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: The Roulette version with 38 numbered slots, including 0 and 00, is known as "American Roulette." This variant has a higher house edge compared to other versions like European or French roulette, primarily due to the addition of the double zero (00).
  • Usefulness: Knowing about the game you play and the different versions available is important.
  • Example: N/A

Anchor or Anchorman

  • Casino Game: Card Games
  • Definition: Anchor refers to the last player at the blackjack table or another card game. Positioned typically to the dealer's right, the anchor acts as a wild card since it moves just before the dealer reveals or plays their hand.
  • Usefulness: Slang that can be useful to understand what it refers to in conversations.
  • Example: The anchor position is the last available seat at the table right before the dealer.

Autoplay

  • Casino Game: Online slots
  • Definition: This feature lets players set a predetermined number of spins to play automatically without having to spin the reels each time manually. The reels will spin on their own, often up to 100 times.
  • Usefulness: Autoplay is an integral part of all online slots, and it’s a good idea to set a definite amount of spins when activating autoplay, just in case you forget you have the game running.
  • Example: “I enabled autoplay for Starburst while I was watching Netflix, so I didn’t have to keep clicking the spin button.”

B

Backtrack/Ball Track

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: The outer rim of the roulette wheel where the ball is spun each round is known as the backtrack or the ball track.
  • Usefulness: Not crucial, but knowing the names of different game components can be fun.
  • Example: The dealer spins the wheel, and the ball runs along the backtrack before it falls down on the lower ball track, bouncing and eventually landing in a number slot.

Banker

  • Casino Game: Baccarat
  • Definition: In Baccarat, the banker is one of three outcomes a player can bet on. The other two are the player and the tie.
  • Usefulness: Integral to Baccarat and refers to one of the outcomes you can bet on.
  • Example: If someone says they’re betting on the banker, they’re simply betting on that outcome, which has nothing to do with the dealer (or the house).

Bankroll

(See also Budget)

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A bankroll is a gambler’s budget, representing the total money a person has available to gamble with. Losing bets decrease the bankroll, while winning bets increase it.
  • Usefulness: It’s recommended to use a bankroll as it helps manage your gambling and separate your gambling spend from the rest of your finances.
  • Example: To improve my money management, I set up a bankroll for blackjack. I played the $5 tables and started with $5,000 in my bankroll to protect myself against variance.

Barred

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A player is barred when they cannot join an online casino game because of restrictions based on their IP address or current physical location.
  • Usefulness: While block is the most common word, sometimes players say they got barred from a site.
  • Example: “I was visiting my in-laws in Michigan and tried playing casino games on my New Jersey FanDuel account using a VPN and got barred from the site.”

Basket Bet

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: A three-number wager in American Roulette that includes 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3.
  • Usefulness: Different types of bets are typically associated with slang terms, and it can be helpful to understand what kind of bets people are referring to in conversations.
  • Example: “I was betting the first five numbers, a basket bet, and the ball landed on number 3.”

Beginner’s Luck

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A phrase used to describe a new player’s success in a casino game.
  • Usefulness: Typically used jokingly to tease a newbie that managed to win.
  • Example: Since a player new to the game of Blackjack would have little to no experience, any success is attributed to luck rather than skill.

Betting Limits

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Betting limits refer to a casino game's minimum and maximum allowed stakes.
  • Usefulness: All casino games have betting limits, and some games or tables might be too expensive for your budget.
  • Example: “I won six blackjack hands in a row. In three of them, I hit 21. I felt lucky and wanted to increase my stake, but the maximum betting limit at that table was $25.”

Black Bet

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: An outside bet that the following number will be black in roulette is often called a "Black Bet." This type of bet pays even money, meaning if you win, you receive a payout equal to your original stake.
  • Usefulness: Rather self-explanatory roulette term, the other way of saying it is “betting on black.”
  • Example: “I made five straight black bets, and it hit four out of five times.”

Blackjack

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: In the game blackjack, a "blackjack" refers to an ace paired with a 10-value card (such as a 10, Jack, Queen, or King), totalling 21.
  • Usefulness: Integral to the game of blackjack and the best hand you can get.
  • Example: “Against my best judgment, I decided to split my 10s, and with my dumbass luck, I managed to pair them both with aces for two blackjacks.”

Bones

  • Casino Game: Craps
  • Definition: Bones is a term used in craps to describe the dice as dice were initially made out of bones.
  • Usefulness: Cool term that can be used in conversations around craps.
  • Example: “Let’s play some craps, I want to roll the bones tonight.”

Bonus

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Online casinos provide bonuses and promotions to attract new players and encourage existing ones to keep playing.
  • Usefulness: Casino bonuses are a great way to earn more money to gamble with as long as the wagering requirements are fair.
  • Example: “The BetMGM online casino has a bonus offer for new players. If you deposit $150, you’ll receive another $150 in bonus funds and 25 free spins on Book of Dead.”

Bonus Game

  • Casino Game: Online slots
  • Definition: Online slots typically offer mini-games within the game, referred to as bonus games.
  • Usefulness: Bonus games are typically the main attraction of slot games, including cool graphics and rare gameplay, which allows you to hit big wins.
  • Example: “Big Bass Bonanza has my favorite bonus game. The graphics and gameplay are great, and the rugged fisherman hauls in cash and fish.”

Bottom Track

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: The inner part of the roulette wheel where the ball falls before it lands in a numbered slot is typically called the “bottom track” or the “lower track.” This is where the ball travels and sometimes jumps after being spun in the ball track right before it lands on a numbered slot.
  • Usefulness: Not crucial, but knowing the names of different game components can be fun.
  • Example: N/A

Breaking the Bank

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Used when a player wins a significant amount of money.
  • Usefulness: Conversational term used between casino players.
  • Example: If a player has an extremely good session at the blackjack tables and wins a lot of money, it can be called “breaking the bank,” with the bank being the casino.

Budget

(See also Bankroll)

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A budget is the money a player sets aside for gambling.
  • Usefulness: A gambling budget is recommended as it helps with money management.
  • Example: “I have created a budget for gambling to improve my money management and chances of being profitable in the online casino.”

Burn Card

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: The card at the top of the deck that dealers discard after shuffling or changing dealers in card games is known as the “burn card.” The processing is sometimes referred to as “burning.”
  • Usefulness: If you play a game and you see this happening, it can be helpful to understand that it’s a standard process and not something done to tamper with the game.
  • Example: The dealer burns the first card in the blackjack shoe as a sign that the shuffle wasn't tampered with.

Busted

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: If a player or dealer's hand exceeds 21, their hand is a "bust." When a player busts, they automatically lose the hand. If the dealer busts, all remaining players who have not busted themselves win the hand.
  • Usefulness: One of the primary outcomes in blackjack and necessary to learn the game.
  • Example: “I didn’t hit on 12 because the dealer had a 3, eventually, he went bust, and I won.”

C

Cage

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The area in a brick-and-mortar casino where players exchange money for tokens and chips with a casino employee. You can also make deposits and withdrawals to and from the land-based casino’s online casino site.
  • Usefulness: Making transactions at the casino cage allows you to deposit cash into online casinos.
  • Example: “I got five C-notes from my grandma for my 21st birthday, and I’m going to the cash cage of Golden Nugget in Atlantic City to deposit them to their online casino.”

Card Counting

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: In blackjack, players may keep track of the card values by counting the cards to determine whether or not the house has an advantage or disadvantage.
  • Usefulness: You can only count cards in a few live dealer blackjack games online, as most games and providers auto-shuffle or have shallow penetration that makes counting useless.
  • Example: “If you want to make a living out of blackjack, you’re best off at the land-based casinos because online casinos don’t have deep enough penetration to make it worthwhile.”

Card Shark or Card Sharp

  • Casino Game: Card Games
  • Definition: A casino card shark typically refers to a player skilled in card games, such as an experienced blackjack player who consistently beats the house.
  • Usefulness: Slang is used for an extremely successful card player.
  • Example: “He is a true card shark. He perfected his blackjack and managed to win money almost every night.”

Cascading Reels

  • Casino Game: Online Slots
  • Definition: When a winning combination appears on the slot reels, the winning symbols explode or disappear, allowing new symbols to appear in the empty spaces.
  • Usefulness: Cascading reels are a distinctive game feature in online slots that can be helpful.
  • Example: N/A

Cashback

  • Casino Game: Casino Promotions
  • Definition: A bonus scheme offered by online casinos that refunds a portion of the player's lost funds.
  • Usefulness: It’s good to know about cashback as it’s one of the best bonus types available.
  • Example: BetMGM offers a 5% cashback bonus as part of its loyalty program, allowing players to regain 5% of their monthly losses.

Chasing Losses

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: After experiencing significant or frequent losses, players may resort to risky bets to recover their losses quickly, called chasing losses.
  • Usefulness: Players sometimes chase losses without even realizing there’s a term for it, and it would undoubtedly be helpful to know about it. Chasing losses is a bad habit; no one should be chasing losses since you risk losing more money rather than winning it back.
  • Example: “I was down on Book of Dead and started feeling frustrated; instead of quitting, I tried chasing it back only to lose more money.”

Chips

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The currency used for playing casino games where different chips have different values.
  • Usefulness: It is good to know that the term chips is a crucial component in casino gaming and not to confuse it with snacks.
  • Example: “At the end of the night, I had a solid run at the Blackjack tables and decided to cash in all my chips and go home.”

Chipping Down or Up

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: In blackjack, "chipping down" means reducing your wager from what you bet in the previous round, while "chipping up" refers to increasing your bet when you feel confident about it.
  • Usefulness: Lingo referring to chips, but players could as well just say or think to themselves that they’re increasing or decreasing their stake.
  • Example: “I had a positive count and decided to chip up.”

Choppy Game

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: The alternation between player and casino winning without any streaks is often called a "choppy" or "choppy play." This term signifies a game where victories are distributed evenly without sustained periods of dominance from either the player or the casino.
  • Usefulness: Lingo that can be seen in chat or around the table.
  • Example: “Ah man, I’ve been betting Black for the past 30 minutes but the games so choppy I’m practically at +/- zero.”

Coattail

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Being a "coattail" refers to following the actions of a player experiencing a significant winning streak or a high roller, often betting behind them or emulating their style in hopes of reproducing their success. 
  • Usefulness: A land-based casino term for games like Roulette where you bet on the same numbers as another player.
  • Example: “I was coattailing this guy that couldn’t lose, I waited for him to put down his chips on the Roulette table and then I just put mine ontop of his.”

Cold Streak

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Cold streal refers to a prolonged period of losses or the absence of significant wins that keeps the player from being in the green.
  • Usefulness: Due to the general variance of casino games, it’s important to know that it’s normal to experience cold streaks the same way you may experience winning streaks.
  • Example: “I have gotten a decent line hit on any game, any time of the day or week, and I haven't hit a bonus in weeks… this is easily the worst cold streak I’ve ever had.”

Column Bet

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: An outside bet on one of the three 12-numbered columns (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) in roulette is known as a "Column Bet," covering an entire column of 12 numbers on the roulette table.
  • Usefulness: A standard Roulette bet that is good to know about.
  • Example: A player prefers to bet the 1st Column every road.

Combination Bet

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: A bet on any combination of two or more numbers at one time in roulette is commonly referred to as a "Combination Bet" or a "Split Bet." This type of bet allows players to place chips on the line between two adjacent numbers or, in some cases, on the intersection of four numbers (corner bet), covering multiple numbers with a single wager.
  • Usefulness: A common type of Roulette betting that is good to know about.
  • Example: A player prefers to make combination bets that cover four numbers instead of singles.

Comp

  • Casino Game: Casino Promotions
  • Definition: Nearly all online sites offer rewards and loyalty programs. Every dollar wagered, regardless of win or loss, earns “comp” points that can be exchanged for cash, gifts, or perks.
  • Usefulness: Comps is probably the least used term when referring to the bonus points in loyalty programs; it’s more common to use credits or simply points.
  • Example: A player could farm comp points in Blackjack without risking too much money compared to other casino games.

CSM (Continuous Shuffling Machine)

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A continuous shuffling machine is used to continuously shuffle and deal cards in games like Blackjack.
  • Usefulness: It’s good to know about CSMs in Blackjack as they randomize the deck and make card counting impossible.
  • Example: “I never played in this casino before and wasn’t sure what kind of blackjack tables they had; unfortunately they were all using CSMs so I couldn’t count cards.”

Croupier

(See also Dealer)

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Croupier is a fancier word for dealer.
  • Usefulness: It can be good to know about, although dealer is a more widely used term.
  • Example: A player plays against the croupier at the blackjack table.

Cut Card

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: After a dealer shuffles the cards a cut card is placed at a random location of the deck of cards that signifies when its time to shuffle again.
  • Usefulness: The cut card signifies the penetration of the deck and is useful when counting cards. It also signifies when it’s time to shuffle the cards.
  • Example: “Instead of cutting the deck at the end, this guy at the table put it in the middle, so the penetration wasn’t great, and I couldn’t efficiently keep a count.”

D

DDAS or DAS

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: In blackjack, DAS stands for Double Down After Split, sometimes referred to as just DAS (Double After Splitting). The DDAS rule is advantageous to players as it permits them to double down on one or both hands after splitting them.
  • Usefulness: Mainly used in text when chatting or participating in discussions on forums or Reddit.
  • Example: N/A

Deal

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The process in which dealers distribute cards to players and/or themselves.
  • Usefulness: Most basic action in all card games against the house.
  • Example: The dealer shuffled the cards and asked players to make their bets before dealing the cards.

Dealer

(See also Croupier)

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The dealer is a casino employee who is in charge of dealing cards at certain table games.
  • Usefulness: The dealer is a vital component of many games in the casino.
  • Example: A player plays against the dealer in Blackjack.

Deck

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The deck of cards being used for a casino card game.
  • Usefulness: A standard component for all table games that use cards.
  • Example: A deck of cards can consists of anything between 52 to 416 (one to eight 52-card decks) at a blackjack table. 

Deck Penetration

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: In blackjack, deck penetration refers to the percentage or count of cards the dealer has already dealt in since shuffling and cutting the deck.
  • Usefulness: Extremely useful when counting cards because it’s only possible to count cards if the deck penetration is deep enough.
  • Example: This casino used a six deck shoe and the cut was far back and I ended up with a really good count midway through the deck and went on a really good roll because the deck penetration was optimal.

Demo Game

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A demo game includes all the functions and features of a regular casino game where players use a fake cash balance to test the game without risking any real money.
  • Usefulness: Good to know about demo games if you’re new to casino games as it allows you to learn the rules and find favorite games without risking your money.
  • Example: While players cannot claim winnings in a demo game, it provides a valuable opportunity to become familiar with the game before playing online slots for real money.

Deposit

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The procedure by which players deposit funds into their online casino account.
  • Usefulness: If you want to play casino games with real money, you must make a deposit.
  • Example: A player deposited $100 monthly to play casino games occasionally.

Discard Tray

  • Casino Game: Card Games
  • Definition: When cards are discarded for any reason, such as "burning" before dealing or after a hand of blackjack, they are placed in the discard tray.
  • Usefulness: A standard component that doesn’t impact future play.
  • Example: The player hit 16 for a blackjack but busted, and the dealer took his cards and placed them in the discard tray.

Doubling Down

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: In blackjack, players occasionally double their initial bet after receiving their first two cards. They receive one additional card by doubling down but must stand for the remainder of the hand.
  • Usefulness: It’s important to know when you should double down in order to play perfect blackjack.
  • Example: When dealt two aces, you’ve got to split them because hitting a blackjack is high.

Double Exposure

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: Double exposure is a blackjack variant where both dealer’s cards are dealt face up. In this version, players cannot purchase insurance or surrender their hands.
  • Usefulness: A blackjack version has a low house edge.
  • Example: An online casino offers Double Exposure Blackjack.

Double or Nothing

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A situation where the player wager double their previous wager in order to break even.
  • Usefulness: Widely used term used inside and outside of casinos.
  • Example: A player loses $10 on a hand of blackjack and decides to double their stake to $20 in the next hand.

Down Card

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The down card, like the hole card, is dealt face-down by the dealer. Unlike community cards, which are shared among players in certain card games, only the player holding the down card knows its value.
  • Usefulness: A common term in many card games that is good to know about.
  • Example: One of the two cards a dealer has in blackjack can be referred to as their “down card.”

Dozen Bet

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: An outside bet on 12 numbers at once in roulette is called a "Dozen Bet." Players can choose to bet on one of three groups of numbers: 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36. This bet pays out at odds of 2 to 1, meaning you win twice your original bet if any number within your chosen group comes up.
  • Usefulness: One of the standard types of bet at a roulette table.
  • Example: A player prefers to play outside bets like dozens and red or black.

E

Even Bet (Even-Money Bet)

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: An even-money bet offers a payout at a 1:1 ratio, meaning you win an amount equal to your original bet, breaking even.
  • Usefulness: One of the standard types of bet at a roulette table.
  • Example: A player prefers to play outside bets like dozens or, odd or even.

Expanding Wilds

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: When expanding wilds appear on the screen they can expand to cover an entire reel, or they can expand in a pattern, increasing the potential of big wins.
  • Usefulness: A common feature in modern online slots.
  • Example: Starburst is a popular online slot that utilize expanding wilds in its gameplay.

Expected Win Rate

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Sometimes called expected value (EV), it is similar to ROI (Return on Investment), helping players estimate their potential long-term winnings and evaluate betting strategies. The expected win rate can be either positive (+) or negative (-).
  • Usefulness: Playing casino games like blackjack with an optimal strategy while counting cards will have a positive expected win rate.
  • Example: By anticipating the value of a wager, a player can understand if it has a negative (EV-) or positive (EV+) expected win rat. If it’s positive, the player will win money over time on this type of wager. If it’s negative, the player would lose money over time on this type of wager.

F

Face Card

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: In card games such as baccarat and blackjack, face cards refer to jacks, kings, and queens. Regardless of their suit, these cards hold varying values depending on the game.
  • Usefulness: Common that people ask for a face card if they need a jack, queen, or king.
  • Example: A blackjack player was dealt an Ace and started calling out for a face card after he asked for a hit.

Fading

  • Casino Game: Baccarat
  • Definition: "Fading" refers to placing bets against a person. In open dice games, betting against the person casting the dice is a form of betting.
  • Usefulness: Common term around the craps table.
  • Example: One player fades the shooter's bet in a game of craps.

Five-Card Charlie

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: A five-card Charlie in blackjack refers to a hand with five cards totalling less than 21. Some online casinos have a specific rule called “the five-card Charlie rule”, where a player who has five cards but whose hand’s total value is still less than 21 will receive an automatic win.
  • Usefulness: In games that have the five-card Charlie rule, you have an additional way to win money.
  • Example: “I had an insane hand yesterday where I was dealt 2,3,2,5,4 for a total of 16 and I was cursing the hand because the dealer had a face card, but it turns out the table had rule that I would automatically win if this happened, called the five-card Charle rule.”

Fixed Jackpot

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: This is the predetermined maximum amount a player can win if they hit the jackpot of a specific game. A fixed jackpot does not change in value as opposed to a progressive jackpot that constantly grows based on wagering activity for the game.
  • Usefulness: One of the standard types of jackpots that are good to know about.
  • Example: “I finally hit the jackpot; it wasn’t a progressive like Mega Moolah, but rather a fixed sum of $2,500 for a smaller jackpot game.”

Flat Betting

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A player that wager the same amount for every game round they play.
  • Usefulness: A common betting strategy.
  • Example: Flat betting is not an optimal betting strategy as it can be viable to increase the wager according to the expected value of the bet.

Free Spins

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A casino promotion or bonus feature in slot machines that provides players with free spins in the game that don’t cost any money.
  • Usefulness: One of the most common and sought after casino promotions and a popular bonus feature in gameplay of online slots.
  • Example: “This new online casino has a great welcome package with a deposit match and 50 free spins on Book of Dead.”

G

Gambler’s Fallacy

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Despite casino games being based on random chance, some players believe their skill, lucky charms, or past experiences can influence future outcomes.
  • Usefulness: It’s important to not fall victim to gambler’s fallacy as it increases the risk of making bad decisions when gambling.
  • Example: “Steve always wears the same pair of jeans when he gambles because he thinks they’re his lucky pants.”

Golden Numbers

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: Numbers that consistently win within a short timeframe in roulette are often called "hot numbers." This relates to a gambler’s fallacy as players sometimes believe these numbers are on a streak or have a higher probability of winning based on recent results, although each game round is independent and random.
  • Usefulness: There is no such thing as golden numbers, and it’s important not to base your wagering strategy based on past outcomes in roulette and other games.
  • Example: A player starts betting heavy on 22 because that number won four times in the last ten spins in a game of roulette.

H

Hand

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The cards held and utilized by each player in a card game.
  • Usefulness: Fundamental term for card games since every player has a “hand.”
  • Example: 9 is the winning number in baccarat, for example, A8 or 63, and is the best hand possible.

Hard Hand

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: A hard hand is a hand with only one possible value without any aces.
  • Usefulness: A common conversational term in blackjack.
  • Example: A hard 17 is a 10 and a 7 while a soft 17 is one where the player or dealer has an ace.

Heads Up

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: A card game played between one player and a dealer.
  • Usefulness: When there are only two participants in a hand or game it can be referred to as heads up.
  • Example: A player could play heads up alone at a blackjack table or pick a crowded table with many player.

High Bet

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: An outside bet on the high numbers (19-36) in roulette is known as a high bet or "Passe" in French. This bet pays even money, meaning you win the same amount as your original bet if any number from 19 to 36 comes up.
  • Usefulness: One of the standard types of bet at a roulette table.
  • Example: A player prefers to play outside bets like highs or dozens.

High Roller

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A player who often places extremely large bets.
  • Usefulness: Some tables can have the classification “high roller” which implies that the minimum stake is high.
  • Example: “That guy is a high roller, he consistently shoots $5,000 bets at the craps tables.”

Hit

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: To "hit" in blackjack means to agree to take another card.
  • Usefulness: It is absolutely necessary to know about a hit if you’re going to play blackjack.
  • Example: The player has an 8 and presses the “hit” button for another card.

Hit 17

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: Hit 17 refers to a blackjack rule that can be applicable where the dealer must hit on soft 17, for example an A6.
  • Usefulness: It is good to know if there rule is applicable or not on the table you’re playing at.
  • Example: The dealer had soft 17 comprised of A42 and was forced to take another card due to the “Hit 17 rule.”

Hot Streak

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A hot streak is when a gambler manage to win a lot of money in a short succession of time.
  • Usefulness: General lingo used between gamblers.
  • Example: “I was playing online slots last night and went on a real hot streak; I just couldn’t lose.”

Hot Table

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Your game table is considered hot, for example, if most hands at a Blackjack table are winning during a couple of rounds.
  • Usefulness: General lingo used between gamblers.
  • Example: “I was moving between different blackjack tables last night an all of them were hot, the dealers kept losing and everyone was having a blast.”

House

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The house refers to the casino, sometimes called the bank.
  • Usefulness: General term used in the casino world.
  • Example: In blackjack, you’re playing against the dealer who represents the house.

House Edge

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The house edge represents the percentage of each wager that the casino retains. In contrast, it is the inverse of the RTP (Return to Player).
  • Usefulness: General term that is good to know about since a low house edge means that you have a higher chance of winning.
  • Example: Pai Gow Poker normally has a house edge of 2.84%.

House Rules

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: House rules refer to the casino’s rules around usage and gameplay.
  • Usefulness: It is important to know about a casino’s rules since you don’t want to break any rules.
  • Example: Following the house rules is important since breaking some rules may result in account closure.

I

Inside Bet

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: In most roulette games, an inside bet involves wagering on specific numbers or combinations for potentially higher payouts. This includes straight bets on individual numbers, split bets, street bets, corner bets, and basket bets.
  • Usefulness: Refers to many standard bets that can be made at a roulette table.
  • Example: “I prefer making inside bets like single numbers and combinations instead of the lower payouts on the outside.”

Insurance Bet

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A side bet initiated by the player in anticipation of the dealer getting blackjack after revealing an ace.
  • Usefulness: It’s important to know when the expected value is positive for taking the insurance in blackjack.
  • Example: “The count was +4, so I took the insurance bet.”

J

Jackpot

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A Jackpot is the biggest prize a casino game can pay.
  • Usefulness: The Jackpot is an integral part of many casino games and is good to know about since it represents the highest possible payout.
  • Example: “I saw that the Mega Moolah Jackpot was at over $20 million dollars so I decided to play a couple of rounds.”

L

Limits

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The betting limits refer to the predefined constraints on the amount players can wager in a game.
  • Usefulness: It’s important to know about what limits there are in a game or table game so you can make educated decisions about what games to play in relation to your casino gaming budget.
  • Example: A blackjack table could have a limit of $500 per hand.

Line Bet

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: A six-number inside roulette bet covering any two rows of three numbers each is known as a "Double Street Bet" or a "Six Line Bet." This bet is placed at the intersection of two rows, such as 1, 2, 3 and 4, 5, 6, and it pays out at odds of 5 to 1 if any of the six numbers covered by the bet wins.
  • Usefulness: A common inside bet combination.
  • Example: “I usually make inside action at the roulette table, particularly multiple line bets to cover many numbers with a decent return.”

Live Dealer Games

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: In live dealer games, players engage with professional dealers or croupiers who are live streamed along with the game and all peripherals to their device.
  • Usefulness: Live dealer games have become one of the most popular types of casino gaming in the past ten years.
  • Example: Lightning Roulette and Lightning Craps are two popular types of live dealer games.

Lobby

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The section of a casino app or website that displays all available games or categories of games.
  • Usefulness: The lobby is typically part of the landing page and integral to the casino gaming experience since it displays all games in a convenient way.
  • Example: A player should visit the casino lobby to explore the game offering.

Low Bet

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: An outside bet on the low numbers (1-18) in roulette is called "Manque" in French. It pays even money, which means you win the same amount as your original bet if any number from 1 to 18 is the outcome.
  • Usefulness: One of the standard types of bet at a roulette table.
  • Example: A player prefers to play outside bets like low bets or high bets. 

M

Mini Baccarat

  • Casino Game: Baccarat
  • Definition: A smaller version of the full-size Baccarat table is known as Mini Baccarat. This version features lower table limits and faster gameplay.
  • Usefulness: A fun version of Baccarat that is not too common in online casinos.
  • Example: N/A

Multiplier

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A slot feature that increases regular payouts by a set multiplier.
  • Usefulness:
  • Example:

Multi-Deck

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: This is known as a multi-deck game, where casinos use six to eight decks simultaneously to deter card counting by players. Conversely, a game played with just one deck is called a single-deck game.
  • Usefulness:
  • Example:

Multi-Hand Games

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Multiplier refers to a function in online slots that multiplies the payouts.
  • Usefulness: The most common “bonus” feature in online slots.
  • Example: The Reactoonz slot series is famous for having great multipliers.

N

Natural

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A natural in blackjack is the A paired with a ten-card or, for example, a 6 paired with a 3 in baccarat. In blackjack, if a player has a natural and the dealer doesn’t, the player is immediately paid out his winnings.
  • Usefulness: Lingo used between players in discussions.
  • Example: “His hand was immediately over, and he got paid because he hit a natural blackjack while the dealer had an 8 face up.”

Net Winnings

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The amount of net profit that players earn.
  • Usefulness: It’s a gambler’s fallacy to count winnings without considering the stake or what was lost previously, which gives the person the wrong view of how much money they’ve won gambling.
  • Example: “I hit the jackpot for 6,000 bucks last night, and now I’m finally plus; in total, I have a net win of around 2,000 dollars after winning that.”

Non-Sticky Bonus

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A promotional offer bonus that does not require any wagering to be fulfilled.
  • Usefulness: Slang term for a bonus that has no wagering requirements.
  • Example: “You should check out the new online casino, they’re offering a $5 non-sticky bonus right now, no string attached!”

O

Odd Bet

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: An outside bet that the next number will be odd in roulette is simply called an "Odd Bet" or "Impair" in French. It pays even money at 1:1.
  • Usefulness: One of the standard types of bet at a roulette table.
  • Example: A player prefers to play outside bets like line bets or odd or even.

Odds

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A player's immediate probability of winning a game or round, as in odds (chance) of winning.
  • Usefulness: The term odds is not as frequently used in relation to online casinos as it is in sports betting. 
  • Example: “What are the odds of hitting the jackpot in this game?”

Outside Bets

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: These types of roulette bets are commonly called "Outside Bets." They include wagers such as Black/Red, Column, Dozen, Even/Odd, and High/Low. Outside bets typically pay even money (1:1) or 2:1, depending on the specific bet type.
  • Usefulness: Outside bets essentially represent one-half of the playing field of a roulette table.
  • Example: You can either make inside or outside bets in roulette.

Overlay

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Overlay refers to odds that benefit the player more than they benefit the house.
  • Usefulness: More of a conversational term than anything that impacts your results.
  • Example: “I was in an overlay with a positive card count with deep penetration and a solid edge over the casino.”

P

Paint

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Paint refers to the high-value cards in blackjack, specifically face cards (kings, queens, and jacks).
  • Usefulness: A conversational term that can be used when the player needs a ten.
  • Example: “Come on now, show me some paint!”

Pat

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A blackjack hand with a value of 17 where the player doesn’t take any more cards.
  • Usefulness: Blackjack lingo similar to a hard or soft hand. Pat simply represents 17.
  • Example: “Pat, I’ll stay.”

Payline

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Players must align three or more identical symbols on the payline to win in most online slots. Slot games may feature a single payline or multiple ones ranging from dozens to thousands in mega-way slots. Players can adjust these paylines using the payline arrows, which affects the total stake in the game round.
  • Usefulness: Paylines are integral to online slots, and the more paylines you play, the higher your cost will be.
  • Example: With White Rabbit Megaways, you have the potential to unlock more than 200,000 paylines during bonus games.

Payout Percentage

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Payout percentage or simply payout refers to how much (or little) a wager or game pay out in winning over the long run.
  • Usefulness: Payout percentages greatly affect the gameplay and profitability of your gambling endeavours and something you should keep a close eye on when choosing what games to play.
  • Example: Blackjack is popular because it has a high payout for the player since the house only has an edge of around 2% in normal circumstances.

Payout Table

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The payout table displays all the symbols used in a slot machine, including the standard and special symbols such as wilds, scatters, and bonus symbols. Paylines and other information can also be displayed here.
  • Usefulness: Checking the payout table is important to understand the game you’re about to play.
  • Example: “Before reading the payout table, I couldn’t figure out how the paylines scaled in relation to my stake.”

Pigeon

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A novice casino player who may appear unknowledgeable or naive.
  • Usefulness: A player that use an online casino for the first time or plays a specific game for the first time can be called a pigeon if they make a lot of mistakes. Can be considered a derogatory term that shouldn’t be used.
  • Example: “That guy is such a pigeon.”

Pockets

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: The small areas on the spinning roulette wheel where the ball might land for each number are called "pockets." Each pocket is numbered and colored, corresponding to the numbers on the wheel.
  • Usefulness: A standard part of the roulette wheel that dictates the outcome of a game round.
  • Example: “I need the ball to land in the zero pocket.”

Probability

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Probability or chance is what determines the house edge and RTP (Return to Player).
  • Usefulness: To maximize the chances of winning, you should understand the probabilities of winning in order to make good decisions.
  • Example: The probability of getting a blackjack in a six-deck shoe is 4.749%.

Progressive Jackpot

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The progressive jackpot grows with each bet placed on the game, where a percentage of each stake from a pool of players contributes to the overall jackpot sum.
  • Usefulness: Progressive jackpots pprovide the best way of winning big in one go, although the chance of winning is minimal.
  • Example: Microgaming’s Mega Moolah is featured in hundreds of online casinos that all contribute to the overall progressive jackpot that typically pays out millions of dollars.

Provably Fair

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A computational method employed to ensure the legitimacy and impartiality of a blockchain-based crypto casino game.
  • Usefulness: Provably fair is another version of RNG that is used exclusively for crypto casino games but doesn’t require input from the player because it’s part of the game’s settings.
  • Example: Provably fair is a ​​trust system between the crypto casino and the player, guaranteeing that every game's outcome is fair and verifiable.

Punto Banco

  • Casino Game: Baccarat
  • Definition: One of the most widespread variations of Baccarat and is an alias for the game worldwide. The term "Punto Banco" translates to "Player Banker."
  • Usefulness: If someone mentions Punto Banco, it’s good to know that they’re referring to Baccarat.
  • Example: “I was playing at this online casino, and most of the baccarat tables had the word ‘punto banco’ on them.”

R

Rail

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Railing refers to observing others playing the game, either for entertainment or for the purpose of learning.
  • Usefulness: Railing used to be a land-based term, but if one considers casino game streaming, the people watching are essentially railing.
  • Example: “The table was full, so I signed up on the waitlist and stayed railing until a seat opened up.”

Red Bet

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: An outside bet that the next number will turn red in roulette is called a "Red Bet" or "Mise sur Rouge" in French. It pays even money, which means you win the same amount as your original bet.
  • Usefulness: Rather self-explanatory roulette term, the other way of saying it is “betting on red.”
  • Example: “I made ten straight red bets, and it hit seven out of ten times.”

Reload Bonus

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A bonus players can utilize as part of subsequent deposits after making their first deposit.
  • Usefulness: Gambling sites with recurring reload bonuses can be good to maximize the value out of your gaming.
  • Example: “The online casino I’m playing at offer weekly reload bonuses that allows me to top up my account every weekend and get more funds to play with.”

Return To Player (RTP)

  • Casino Game: Online slots
  • Definition: The RTP (Return to Player) represents the percentage of money a casino game pays out to players over the long run. A high RTP means a higher chance of winning over time, while a low RTP is more unfavorable.
  • Usefulness: Knowing a game’s RTP is important if you want to find casino games with a higher chance of winning.
  • Example: The vampire-themed online slot Blood Suckers has an RTP of 97.87%.

RNG (Random Number Generator)

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: To ensure fairness and determine outcomes in game rounds of automated games like online slots or virtual blackjack, a random number generator (RNG) is used to randomize the outcomes according to a set distribution that corresponds to the probabilities of winning.
  • Usefulness: Many people falsely believe that casino games online are rigged when in fact they’re all backed up by RNG which in turn is tested and regulated by third-parties and regulatory agencies.
  • Example: In online slots, RNG decides the outcome of each spin.

S

Shoe

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: In card games, the shoe contains the cards used at the table, which the dealers deal cards out of.
  • Usefulness: A standard game component in many card games.
  • Example: All cards are placed in the shoe, which is clearly visible to everyone around the table to improve transparency in the game.

Side Bet

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Some card games offer additional bets alongside the main game wagers. In games like Baccarat, these include side bets such as Dragon Bonus and Super 6. However, due to their high house edge, these bets are generally considered risky and not advisable to pursue outside of entertainment.
  • Usefulness: Knowing about what side bets are offered and their payouts and probabilities is important so you don’t make bad decisions when gambling.
  • Example: “I know I shouldn’t, but sometimes I can’t keep myself from going for the Dragon Bonus in baccarat.”

Sign-Up Bonus

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A promotional offer from online casinos to encourage players to register to their platform.
  • Usefulness: Learning about what’s important to look at in sign up bonuses is important since some bonuses are impossible to clear and thus better to avoid.
  • Example: “This new online casino has an awesome sign-up bonus worth 500 bucks, and you only have to wager that amount five times to convert the bonus funds to real money.”

Soft Hand

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: A soft hand in blackjack is called soft because it can’t go bust with a one-card hit.
  • Usefulness: Lingo for specific types of hands.
  • Example: If the player draws a 6 or higher with their A5, the total is not 22 since the ace can be counted as one, which brings the total to 12.

Soft 17

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: A hand that contains an A6 is a soft soft 17 because it can’t go bust on another hit.
  • Usefulness: Lingo for a specific type of hand.
  • Example: If the player has A6 and take another card and it’s a face card, they don’t go bust with 27, instead the Ace is counted as 1 to make the total 17.

Split Bet

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: An inside bet on two adjacent numbers at once in roulette is called a "Split Bet." This bet pays out at odds of 17 to 1 if either of the two selected numbers is the winning number on the spin.
  • Usefulness: A common combination type of bet in roulette.
  • Example: “I prefer placing up to ten split bets spread out across the roulette table to have a decent chance of winning with a high payout.

Stake

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The stake refers to the money a player wagers on a spin, slot, or card game.
  • Usefulness: Stakes and limits are integral to casino games, and it’s good to find games that have good minimum and maximum stakes that suit your budget.
  • Example: You can adjust the stake in all online slots, which determines how much money you risk every spin.

Stand

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: Standing in blackjack means choosing not to receive more cards from the dealer.
  • Usefulness: One of the basic actions in blackjack is a button you’ll frequently click when playing.
  • Example: In general, for blackjack, if your hands total 17 or higher, you should stand.

Stand 17

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: This rule is commonly known as "dealer must stand on 17." It stipulates that if the dealer's hand reaches 17 or higher, they must stop.
  • Usefulness: This rule does not apply to all blackjack tables, and it’s important to know if a table has it, as it can impact gameplay, strategies, and payouts.
  • Example: “I had three hands with 18, 18, and 20. So I needed the dealer to get 17 or go bust. Fortunately, he hit 17 and was forced to stand, so I won the hand.”

Sticky Wilds

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Sticky wilds act as substitutes for every other symbol in the game and improve your chances of landing winning combinations.
  • Usefulness: A common feature in modern online slots.
  • Example: Starburst XXXtreme from Netent is an online slot known for sticky wilds.

Stiff

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: A stiff hand in blackjack is when your total is between 12 and 16 based on the first two cards. It’s typically undesirable as these hands have a higher chance of going bust.
  • Usefulness: Lingo for specific types of hands.
  • Example: A player gets dealt a stiff 13.

Straight Bet

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: An inside bet on one number in roulette that pays 35 to 1 is called a "Straight Bet" or a "Single Number Bet." It offers the highest payout in the game, rewarding players who correctly predict the exact number that the ball lands on.
  • Usefulness: One of the standard inside bets in roulette.
  • Example: “I like playing multiple straight bets in Roulette because it’s more fun when it hits.”

Street Bet

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: An inside bet on one row of three numbers in roulette is called a "Street Bet" or a "Three-Line Bet." The wager is placed at the bottom of the row of numbers, and it pays out at odds of 11 to 1 if successful.
  • Usefulness: A common inside bet.
  • Example: “Streets bets are my favorites since they cover several numbers and payout pretty well.”

Suit

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The symbols on casino cards representing clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades are different “suits.”
  • Usefulness: Integral to many card games, especially poker-style games.
  • Example: There are four different suits in a deck of cards: clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades.

Surrender

  • Casino Game: Blackjack
  • Definition: Surrendering in blackjack involves forfeiting half of your initial wager and receiving back the other half when you believe your hand is unlikely to win against the dealer's. You can surrender before the dealer checks for blackjack or after they have checked.
  • Usefulness: Far from all blackjack tables, which allow you to surrender, it can be advantageous to do it when allowed if it’s the correct mathematical decision.
  • Example: If the math is in your favor and the table rules allow it, surrendering can be a good option regarding the expected value.

T

Table Game

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: Card games such as Pai Gow and casino games like roulette are categorized as table games because they’re traditionally played at a table and require a dealer or croupier to manage the game proceedings and handle chips.
  • Usefulness: Table games are one of the primary categories of casino games.
  • Example: Blackjack and baccarat are table games.

Tracking Board or Scoreboard

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: In roulette, the board that shows the latest result and the previous results is called the "tracking board" or "results board."
  • Usefulness: A player shouldn’t put any weight on the tracking board because previous results do not impact future rounds.
  • Example: “According to the scoreboard, 70% of the spins are red, which falsely led players to believe that there was a higher chance for red to hit in the coming rounds.”

V

VIP (Very Important Person)

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The acronym "VIP" stands for Very Important Person. In online casinos, this term refers to high rollers and players who typically receive preferential treatment.
  • Usefulness: If you gamble a lot, you should consider online casinos with VIP programs that cater to high rollers.
  • Example: “Players that gamble a lot can enter the VIP program to unlock exclusive perks and bonuses.”

Volatility

  • Casino Game: Online slots
  • Definition: Volatility in online slots spans from low to medium and high. Low-volatility slots offer frequent but smaller payouts, appealing to players seeking steady wins. On the other hand, high-volatility slots cater to those with higher risk tolerance, delivering occasional but higher payouts when they hit.
  • Usefulness: Depending on your playstyle and risk appetite, knowing about the volatility of slots is important so you can find and play the games you like.
  • Example: No Limit City is a game provider that is famous for creating high-volatility slot games.

W

Wager Requirements

  • Casino Game: General
  • Definition: The play-through requirements set by online casinos are conditions that players must fulfil to convert bonus funds to real money that they can withdraw.
  • Usefulness: Reading and understanding the wagering requirements before taking a casino bonus is important.
  • Example: “I saw a $2,000 bonus at this online casino, and I was about to deposit, but then I read the wagering requirements, and in order to convert the bonus into real money, I had to wager the cash and bonus funds 50 times in the period of two weeks. I’d never manage that, so I opted out of the bonus.”

Wheel

  • Casino Game: Roulette
  • Definition: The spinning wheel used in roulette is simply called the "roulette wheel."
  • Usefulness: A standard component in roulette.

Example: N/A

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