Casino Glossary – Essential Gambling Terms Explained

Casino Terms	Slots Terms
Roulette Terms	Blackjack Terms
Poker and Video Poker Terms	Baccarat Terms
Dice and Instant Win Games Terms	Responsible Gambling Terms

Casino Terms

New to gambling? Learn the must-know casino terms.

Action: The total amount of money wagered by a player in a given time period. It can also refer to the dealer indicating to the player that it’s time to act.
Advantage Play: Strategies players use to reduce the house edge, such as card counting in blackjack.
Bankroll: The total amount of money a player has for gambling.
Betting Limits: The minimum and maximum amounts of money a player can place on a whole game or one bet.
Bonus: Promotional offers casinos provide to attract players, such as free credits or spins.
Bonus Abuse: When players try to exploit casino bonuses unfairly, like creating multiple accounts or abusing wagering requirements.
Cashback Bonus: A refund on losses in the form of real cash or bonus money, usually a percentage of what a player lost over a certain period.
Cashout: Withdrawing winnings from a casino.
Casino Tournaments: Events organised by casinos where players compete against each other in specific games.
Cold Streak: A prolonged period where a player keeps losing.
Comps (Complimentary Items): Different rewards or extra bonuses given to loyal players.
Consolation Prize: A secondary prize awarded if the main one isn’t claimed within a specified time.
Cut Card: A plastic card inserted into the shoe to indicate the last hand of the shoe.
Deposit Bonus: A bonus a player gets when adding money to their casino account.
Free Chip: A small bonus amount given as free credits to play casino games.
Free Spins: A casino bonus that gives players a set number of free spins on slot games.
Gambler’s Fallacy: The belief that past outcomes affect future results in games of chance.
High Roller: A player who bets large amounts.
Hot Streak: A prolonged period a player keeps winning.
House Edge (Casino Advantage): The statistical advantage the casino has over players in games.
KYC (Know Your Customer): A verification process where casinos check a player’s identity by requesting documents like an ID and proof of address.
License: An official authorization by a regulatory body, allowing a casino to operate legally. It proves the casino follows industry standards for fairness and security.
Live Dealer: A real casino dealer who interacts with players via live stream.
Match Deposit Bonus: A type of deposit bonus where the casino matches a percentage of a player’s deposit.
Non Sticky Bonus: A bonus that stays separate from the player’s real money, allowing them to withdraw their deposit and winnings.
No Deposit Bonus: A bonus a player gets just for signing up—no deposit needed.
Payout: The amount a player can potentially win back from a casino.
Pit Boss: A casino supervisor who oversees table games and ensures fair play.
Progressive Jackpot: A jackpot that grows with each bet until it is won.
RNG (Random Number Generator): A computer algorithm that ensures all spins in slot games are independent and random.
Casino Regulators: overnment or independent organizations that oversee and enforce rules in the gambling industry. They ensure casinos operate legally, fairly, and responsibly.
Responsible Gambling: Playing within set limits to maintain control over gambling habits.
RTP (Return to Player): The percentage of wagered money a casino game is expected to return to players over time.
Shuffling: Mixing cards before dealing, usually performed by the dealer or an automated machine.
Shoe: A container used to hold and deal multiple decks of cards in some table games.
Slot Games: Casino games where players spin reels with symbols to match them with paylines.
Software Provider: The company that develops and supplies casino games.
Sticky Bonus: A bonus that a player can play with but can’t withdraw.
Table Games: Casino games played on a designated table, typically involving cards, dice, or wheels.
Tilt: Emotional imbalance or frustration causing a player to make poor decisions.
Toke: A tip given to the dealer, often in the form of chips.
Variance: A measure of how unpredictable a game’s results are, affecting how often and how big wins occur.
VIP Program: A loyalty scheme where frequent players get perks like cashback, free spins, and personal account managers.
Wagering Requirement: The amount of money a player has to wager to unlock or withdraw bonus winnings.
Whale: A term for an extremely high-stakes gambler who wagers significant amounts.

Slots Terms

Confused by paylines, RTP, or jackpots? Click here to master slot terminology.

Bet Max/Maximum Bet: A bet placed on the maximum number of coins or credits per spin.
Bet Min/Minimum Bet: The minimum bet amount allowed on a slot machine.
Bonus Feature: An additional gameplay element, such as pick-and-win games or multipliers, triggered during the base game or bonus rounds.
Bonus Round: A special game within the slot that is triggered by specific symbol combinations. It gives the chance to win something extra.
Classic Slots: Slots that use fruit and numbers and resemble retro games of the 20th century.
Cold Slot: A slot that is thought to be on a losing streak.
Fixed Jackpot: A slot machine with a non-progressive jackpot that offers a certain top prize.
Hand pay: A payout made manually by a casino attendant in specific cases, such as when the winnings exceed the machine’s limit.
Hit: A spin that results in a winning combination.
Hit Frequency: The percentage of spins that result in a winning combination, indicating how often a slot pays out.
Hot Slot: A slot that is thought to pay out more often at a particular time.
Max Win: The highest possible payout a player can achieve on a slot, often expressed as a multiple of the bet.
Megaways: A slot mechanic that offers hundreds or thousands of ways to win by dynamically changing the number of symbols on each reel per spin.
Multiplier: A feature that multiplies a player’s winnings by a specific value, such as 2x, 5x, or more.
Payline: A line across the reels that determines winning combinations based on matching symbols.
Paytable: A chart that displays the payouts, symbol values, and bonus features of a slot machine.
Pokies: A term for slot machines commonly used in Australia and New Zealand.
Progressive Jackpot: A jackpot that increases each time the game is played but not won, often linked across multiple machines or casinos.
Progressive Slot: A slot with a progressive jackpot.
Reels: The vertical sections of a slot machine that spin and display symbols.
RNG (Random Number Generator): A computer algorithm that ensures all spins are independent and random, providing fair play.
Scatter Symbol: A symbol that can trigger payouts or bonus features.
Slot Machine: A gambling machine with reels that spin when a button is pushed.
Symbols: Icons on the reels that determine winning combinations in a game.
Traditional Slots: A type of slot with three reels.
Variance/Volatility: A measure of risk in a slot machine. Low-variance slots pay out smaller wins frequently, while high-variance slots offer larger wins but less frequently.
Video Slot: Modern slot machine that uses digital screens and advanced graphics.
Wild Symbol: A symbol that can substitute for other symbols to create winning combinations.

Roulette Terms

Want to know your way around the wheel? Understand every roulette term and bet before you spin.

American Roulette: A roulette game that has a wheel with 38 pockets (a single zero ‘0’ and a double zero ’00’).
Backtrack: The outer edge of a roulette wheel where the ball starts to spin, also called the ball track.
Called Bets: Specific bets that are called out by a player in French and European roulette games. They cover particular wheel sections.
Croupier: The dealer who manages the roulette table, spins the wheel, and handles bets.
Column Bet: A bet placed on one of the three vertical columns of numbers on the roulette table betting layout.
Corner Bet: A bet placed on four numbers that meet at a corner on a roulette table betting layout.
Dozen Bet: A bet on one of the three groups of twelve numbers (1-12, 13-24, 25-36) on the roulette table betting layout.
En Prison: A rule in European roulette that allows players to recover even-money bets if the ball lands on zero. The bet is left ‘in prison’ for the next spin.
European Roulette: A roulette game that has 37 pockets. They are numbered 0 to 36.
Ficheur: A device used to sort and stack chips by colour by a croupier.
French Roulette: A version of the roulette game that has a 37-pocket wheel but also uses additional rules. These La Partage and En Prison rules provide better odds on even-money bets.
High Bet: A bet that the winning number will be between 19 and 36.
Inside Bets: Numbers or small groups of numbers a player can bet on. They are located on the inner section of the roulette betting layout.
La Partage: A rule in French roulette where players lose only half of even-money bets if the ball lands on zero.
Low Bet: A bet that the winning number will be between 1 and 18.
Odd/Even Bet: A bet that the winning number will be either odd or even.
Outside Bets: Broader categories used for betting (red or black/ odd or even, etc) that are found on the outer part of the table betting layout.
Racetrack: An oval-shaped section on the roulette betting layout that shows the sequence of numbers on the wheel. It is used for placing called bets.
Red/Black Bet: A bet that the winning number will be either red or black.
Split Bet: A bet placed on two adjacent numbers when the chip is placed on the line between them.
Straight Up Bet: A direct bet on a single chosen number.
Street Bet: Three consecutive numbers in a horizontal line on the betting layout.
Wheel: A spinning disc with numbered pockets (1-36 and 0 or 00) that is used to determine the winning number.

Blackjack Terms

Hit, stand, or double down? Know the key blackjack terms to make smarter moves at the table.

Basic Strategy: A strategy guide that suggests the best moves based on the player’s hand and the dealer’s upcard.
Blackjack: A hand that totals 21 (an Ace and a 10-point card) that indicates an instant win.
Bust: The outcome when the total value of a hand exceeds 21. It indicates an automatic loss.
Card Counting: A strategy of mathematically tracking cards remaining in the deck a player uses to gain an advantage over the house.
Cold Table: A blackjack table that is losing consistently.
Dealer’s Bust: When the dealer’s hand exceeds 21, resulting in a win for players.
Dealer’s Upcard: The first card dealt to the dealer that is revealed.
Deck Penetration: The percentage of cards dealt before the dealer reshuffles the decks.
Double Down: An action a player uses. They double an initial bet after receiving the first two cards and agree to draw one additional card.
Even Money: A payout offered when a player has blackjack, and the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. It guarantees a 1:1 payout, avoiding a potential push.
Face Cards: The Jack, Queen, and King, each valued at 10 points.
Hard 17 Rule: A rule that requires the dealer to stand on a hard 17.
Hard Hand: A hand without an Ace, or with an Ace counted as 1.
Hit: An action a player uses. They request an additional card to improve their hand.
Hot Table: A blackjack table that is winning consistently.
Insurance: A side bet used by a player to protect themselves against a dealer’s blackjack (in case a dealer’s upcard is an Ace).
Natural: Another term for a blackjack (an Ace and a 10-point card).
Push: When the player’s and dealer’s hands are of the same value. It is a tie and the bets are returned.
Soft 17 Rule: A rule that requires the dealer to hit on a soft 17.
Soft Hand: A hand that includes an Ace counted as 11 without exceeding 21.
Shoe: A device that holds multiple decks of cards and is used to deal cards in blackjack.
Split: An action a player uses to split the hand into two separate hands. It can happen if the first two player’s cards are a pair.
Stand: An action a player uses. Keep the current hand and do not take more cards.
Surrender: An action a player uses. They discard their hand and receive half their bet back.
Table Limits: The minimum and maximum betting amounts allowed at a blackjack table.
Ten-Value Card: A card worth 10 points, including the 10, Jack, Queen, and King.

Poker and Video Poker Terms

From bluffs to royal flushes, learn the lingo and sharpen your poker skills.

All-In: Betting all chips on a single hand.
Ante: A small, initial obligatory bet to place in order to participate in the hand before it begins.
Auto-Hold: A feature in video poker machines that automatically suggests cards to keep based on optimal strategy.
Big Blind: A forced bet made by the player who sits two positions to the left of the dealer’s button (typically twice as large as the small blind).
Bluff: A strategy where a player bets or raises with a weak hand to make opponents fold stronger hands.
Board: The community cards dealt face-up in the centre of the table, shared by all players.
Button: A marker that indicates the dealer’s position, rotating clockwise after each hand.
Call: Match the current bet made by another player to stay in the hand.
Check: Choose not to bet. If no bet has been made before, a player passes the action to the next player.
Community Cards: Cards dealt face-up in the centre of the table and shared by all players to form their hands. The same as the board.
Deuces Wild: A video poker variant where all 2 cards act as wilds, substituting for any others to complete a winning hand.
Double Up: A video poker feature that allows players to double their winnings after a win.
Flop: The first three community cards dealt face-up simultaneously in some poker games.
Fold: Discard a hand and forfeit interest in the current pot.
Four of a Kind (Quads): Four cards of the same rank and one unrelated card.
Full House (Full Boat): Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.
Full pay: Video poker machines that offer the highest possible payout for each hand.
High Card: The highest-ranking single card in your hand when no other combinations are made.
Hole Cards: The private cards dealt face-down to each player.
Jacks or Better: A classic video poker variant where a pair of Jacks or higher is the minimum hand needed to win.
Kicker: An unpaired card used to break ties between hands of the same rank.
Multi-Hand Video Poker: A video poker variant where players can play multiple hands simultaneously.
No-Limit: A betting structure where players can bet any amount up to their total chips at any time.
Paytable: A chart displayed on a screen of a video poker machine showing payouts for each possible hand.
Pot: The total amount of money or chips bet during a hand.
Progressive Video Poker: Video poker option where the jackpot increases over time as more players wager.
Raise: Increase the current bet made by another player.
River: The fifth and final community card dealt in some poker games.
Royal Flush: The highest hand, consisting of A, K, Q, J, and 10 of the same suit.
Showdown: The end of the round, the point at which remaining players reveal their hands to determine the winner.
Small Blind: A forced bet made by the player who sits to the left of the dealer button (typically half the big blind).
Straight: Five cards in sequential order, not of the same suit.
Straight Flush: Any five cards in numerical order, all of the same suit.
Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank and two unrelated cards.
Turn: The fourth community card dealt in some poker games.
Two Pair: Two sets of two cards with the same rank and one unrelated card.
Wild Cards: Cards that can substitute for any other card to complete a winning hand, common in video poker variants like Deuces Wild or Joker Poker.

Baccarat Terms

Banker, Player, or Tie? Understand baccarat terms before you play.

Banker Bet: A bet on the Banker’s hand.
Player bet: A bet on the Player’s hand.
Tie bet: A bet that both the Player and Banker hands will have the same total value.
Natural: A hand total of 8 or 9 that is achieved with the first two cards dealt to the Player or Banker.
Commission: A 5% fee taken from winnings on Banker bets.
Mini Baccarat: A smaller, faster-paced version of baccarat played on a smaller table with lower betting limits.
Punto Banco: The most common baccarat variation where the casino banks the game, and players bet on Player, Banker, or Tie.
Chemin de Fer: A traditional baccarat version popular in Europe, where players take turns being the Banker and managing the bank.
Baccarat Banque: A version of baccarat where the Banker position is auctioned to the player willing to wager the most.
La Grande: French for “The Big,” referring to a natural 9 in baccarat.
La Petite: French for “The Little,” referring to a natural 8 in baccarat.
Draw: When a third card is dealt to the Player or Banker based on specific rules.
Third Card Rule: A set of predetermined rules that dictate when the Player or Banker is dealt a third card.
Super Six: A variation of baccarat where Banker wins pay 1:1 but only 0.5:1 if the Banker wins with a total of 6.
Dragon Bonus: A side bet that pays out when a hand wins by a big margin or with certain total points.
Side Bets: Additional bets placed on outcomes or specific card combinations.
Pair Bet: A side bet predicting that the first two cards dealt to the Player or Banker will form a pair.
Flat Bet: A consistent bet amount that doesn’t change regardless of wins or losses.
Roadmap: A set of charts used by players to track patterns, such as the Big Road, Bead Plate, or Big Eye Road.
Big Eye Road: A pattern-tracking chart used by experienced baccarat players to analyse trends.
Dragon Tail: A streak of consecutive wins by the Player or Banker, often tracked by players as part of pattern analysis.
Favourable Shoe: A baccarat shoe that is believed to produce more frequent Player or Banker wins based on patterns.
Breaking the Shoe: Refers to the first shuffle and dealing of cards from a fresh shoe.

Dice and Instant Win Games Terms

Craps, bingo, keno–discover the terms to roll, bet, and play like a pro.

Craps

Boxcars: A roll of two sixes in craps, totalling 12.
Boxman: The casino employee responsible for supervising the craps table and managing chips.
Come Bet: A craps wager similar to a Pass Line bet, placed after the point is established.
Come-Out Roll: The first roll in a round of craps made to establish the point.
Crap Out: It means a loss in craps. Typically, when 2, 3, or 12 rolls for Pass Line bets.
Don’t Come Bet: A craps bet placed after the point is established. Players wager 7 rolls before the point.
Don’t Pass Bet: A craps bet against the shooter. It wins if the come-out roll is 2 or 3 and loses on 7 or 11.
Hardway: A bet in craps that the shooter will roll a specific pair (e.g., two 4s for 8) or any other combination that makes the number before 7 rolls.
Hi-Lo: A one-roll craps bet that the next roll will be 2 (lowest) or 12 (highest).
Lay Bet: A bet that a specific number (e.g., 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will not roll before a 7.
Line Bet: A basic craps bet placed on the Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line.
Odds Bet: An extra bet placed behind a Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bet to back them. It offers true odds with no house edge.
Pass Line Bet: A craps bet that wins if the come-out roll is 7 or 11 and loses on 2, 3, or 12.
Point: A number established on the come-out roll (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10).
Proposition Bets: High-risk, high-reward bets placed in the centre of the craps table.
Puck: A round marker used to indicate whether the point is established (ON) or not (OFF).
Shooter: The player rolling the dice in a game of craps.
Snake Eyes: A roll of two 1s, totalling 2.
Stickman: The casino employee responsible for managing the dice and announcing the results of each roll.
True Odds: The actual odds of an outcome, used in Odds bets.
Whirl Bet: A one-rolled bet that combines a Horn Bet and the Any 7(also known as the world bet).
Yo (Yo-Leven): A two dice rolling 11 in craps.

Bingo

Admission Packet: The minimum number of tickets required to enter a game.
Bingo Balls: Small white balls with numbers printed on them, drawn by the bingo caller.
Bingo Board: The electronic display showing all the numbers that have been drawn.
Bingo Caller: The person responsible for drawing the bingo balls and announcing the numbers.
Bingo Card: A ticket with a set of numbers printed on it that players have to match to win.
Blackout: A bingo game pattern where players have to cover every square on their card to win.
Caller: The person or automated system that announces the numbers drawn in bingo.
Card: A grid with numbers used to play bingo.
Coverall: Another term for a blackout game, where all numbers on a bingo card have to be marked.
Dabber/Dauber: An ink-filled pen or marker players use to mark off called numbers on their paper bingo cards.
Early Bird: A bingo game that takes place before the scheduled main session begins.
Free Space: A square on a bingo card that players automatically get credit for; no number needs to be marked.
Hardway Bingo: A bingo pattern that requires a full line without using the free space.
Money Ball: A pre-drawn number that doubles the prize if bingo is won with it.
Moonlight Bingo: A bingo game that begins late at night, typically after 10 PM.
Nicknames: Fun or traditional names given to numbers as they are called (e.g., “Legs Eleven” for 11).
Pattern: The specific shape players need to cover on their card to win, such as lines, squares, or other designs.
Progressive Bingo: A bingo game where the jackpot increases if no one wins within a specific number of calls.
Quickie: A fast-paced bingo game where numbers are called very quickly.
Session: A group of bingo games played consecutively during an event.
Split Pot: A game where the total prize money is divided between multiple winners.
T.E.D. (The Electronic Dauber): An electronic device used to track and mark bingo numbers digitally.
Wild Number: A game variation where all numbers ending in a specific digit (e.g., 7) are marked as “wild” and automatically count as called.
Wrap-Up: The final bingo game of the session, marking the end of play.

Keno

Combination Bets: A keno wager where players select multiple groups of numbers, mixing straight and way bets for more chances to win.
Draw: The process of selecting winning numbers in a keno game, done either electronically or manually.
Keno Board: The display that shows all numbers from 1 to 80 and highlights which ones have been drawn.
Keno Card: A ticket where players select numbers, usually from 1 to 80, to participate in a keno game.
Keno Spots: The numbers a player selects on their keno card.
King Tickets: A special type of keno bet where a player selects one King number that must appear in all their chosen groups.
Multi-Race Card: A keno card that allows the same selected numbers to be played across multiple games.
Paytable: A chart that displays the payouts for different results based on the number of picks and matches.
Pick: The numbers a player chooses to bet on in keno.
Progressive Keno: A keno game with a jackpot that grows until someone wins.
Quick Pick: An option that allows the system to randomly select numbers for the player.
Spot: The total number of numbers a player selects on a keno card.
Split Bets: A bet on several sets of numbers in one game, increasing the chances of winning.
Straight Bets: A basic keno wager where players select up to 15 numbers in a single game.
Straight Ticket: A standard keno bet where a player selects numbers and waits for the draw.
Way Bets: A bet where players choose a group of numbers and split them into subgroups. No repeated numbers are allowed.
Way Ticket: A keno ticket that lets players place multiple bets on different groups of numbers within the same game.
Winning Numbers: The numbers drawn in a keno game determine which bets win.

Scratch Cards

Auto-Reveal: A feature that automatically uncovers all hidden areas.
Bonus Game: An extra game or feature that provides additional chances to win.
Break Open (also Pull-Tabs): Lottery or bingo cards with perforated tabs that reveal symbols or numbers indicating a win or loss.
Layout: The design and arrangement of elements on a scratch card, including scratchable areas and instructions.
Lines: Multiple game areas on a single scratch card, each functioning as an individual game with its own rules and prizes.
Online Scratch Ticket: A virtual scratch card played via the internet.
Printed Scratch Ticket: A physical scratch card made of paper or cardboard.
Prize Symbol: The specific symbol or set of symbols that indicate a winning outcome on the scratch card.
Prize Tier: The different levels of prizes available on a scratch card, ranging from small amounts to the jackpot.
Scratch Area: The part of the scratch card covered by a removable coating, which players need to scratch off.
Second Chance Draw: A promotion that allows players to enter non-winning scratch cards into an additional draw for a chance to win prizes.
Terminal: A computerized device used by retailers to sell and validate lottery tickets and scratch cards.

Responsible Gambling Terms

Stay in control—learn about limits, self-exclusion, and safer gambling tools.

Cooling-Off Period: A short break from gambling that a player chooses to help control impulsive behaviour.
Deposit Limit: A limit on how much money a player can deposit into their gambling account within a set time.
Exclusion/Self-Exclusion: A player’s request to be banned from gambling sites or casinos for a set time or permanently.
Gambling Addiction: A gambling habit that harms a player’s life, finances, and relationships.
Loss Limit: A limit on how much a player is willing to lose in a session to promote responsible gambling.
Reality Check: A tool that tracks gambling time and reminds players to take breaks.
Responsible Gambling: It means staying within budget and time limits and keeping control.
Risk Awareness: Knowing the chances of winning and losing to make smarter gambling choices.
Self-Assessment Test: A tool to help players evaluate their gambling habits and spot potential issues.
Session Limit: A set time limit on how long a player can gamble in one session.
Time-Out: A short break from gambling, usually lasting from 24 hours to a few weeks.
Voluntary Limit: A player-set restriction on deposits, bets, or time spent gambling to stay in control.
Wagering Limit: A cap on how much money a player can bet within a set period.
Win Limit: A maximum amount a player decides to win before stopping to secure profits.
Problem Gambling: Gambling behaviour that negatively affects a player’s life, finances, or relationships.
Third-Party Exclusion: A process where family or friends request to block a player from gambling.
Underage Gambling: Gambling by individuals below the legal age that is prohibited by law and gambling operators.
Helpline: A confidential support service for players facing gambling problems.

Gambling Glossary