Casino Glossary

Fact Checked

Update: January 27, 2024

It is easy to get lost in hundreds of terms and jargon words, especially if you are new to gambling. That’s what our casino glossary is for! We have made a list of the 40 most common terms with their short definitions. Turn to this glossary any time you find a confusing or unfamiliar word.

Add-on. Extra chips that a player can add to the bankroll amidst a game or tournament.
Advantage player. A player who can gain an advantage in a legal way. For example, using dice control, card counting, or benefiting from bonuses.
Aggregate limit. It indicates the casino’s full payout liability for any game.
Ante. A poker term which means a compulsory bet that every player should make before the cards are dealt.
Any double. A bet in craps which assumes that two of the three dices will have the same number. There is no need to indicate a specific number.
Banker. It is a person that bets against other players. As a rule, the banker changes every turn.
Banko. In baccarat, it means house or bank. In addition, it is the name of the bet which is placed on the winning of the house.
Bankroll. The amount of money that players are planning to use for gambling.
Beard. A person who hides the personality of another player.
Beef. An argument between a player and an online casino.
Big bet. A bet in sic bo which assumes that the sum of all three dices will range between 11 and 17. The payout of the big bet is 1:1.
Blind. It is a forced poker bet when a player needs to wager without a chance to see the cards on hand.
Bones. A traditional way to name a dice.
Bonus hunting. Refers to players who take advantage of casino bonuses in order to build a bankroll without spending much.
Britbrag. A poker variation played with three cards against a casino.
Broadway. A poker term that describes a hand that consists solely of ace-high straights.
Burn card. It is a card taken from the top of the deck and discarded after shuffling or before a new round.
Cap. This term is used to identify the maximum limit of bets, rounds, and bonuses.
Card shark/ card sharp. Another name for an experienced card player.
Cascading reels. A bonus feature that makes the winning combinations land on the reels during every spin.
Cashback. A refund which a player receives when losing a bet.
Chemin De Fer. A game that has similar rules to baccarat and is mostly played in France. Bets are placed against other players and the Bank is not a dealer, it is a player themselves.
Chip and a chair. Poker term means that even a player with one chip may win the game.
Coattail. Means a gambling strategy when a player follows someone’s betting pattern.
Cold/hot. A lost game is called cold; running cold – a player who is losing. On contrary, running hot means winning.
Comp points. They are rewarded to players for making deposits. In online casinos, comp points may be exchanged for free spins and cash, in land-based ones – for food, accommodation, and real-value prizes.
Crossfire. Is used for dealers who discuss topics unrelated to gambling when handing out the cards.
Croupier. A person who runs gaming tables. Also known as a dealer.
eCOGRA. An abbreviation of the E-commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance. It is an independent company that checks online casinos on fairness. When seeing the eCOGRA seal of approval, you can be sure that the games are unbiased.
Edge. It means the casino’s advantage. In most games, the casino (or house) always has the edge, i.e. earns not depending on the outcome.
En Plein. A roulette term that means placing single or plain bets.
Fisheur. A French word for a device used in roulette that divides chips by colors. It is mostly used in American roulette.
Flat betting. A betting approach when you wager the same amount every time.
George. It is a jargon word used by dealers that describes players who leave good tips.
High roller. A player with an impressive bankroll who bets higher sums and risks more in an attempt to win bigger rewards.
Honeymoon period. The winning streak of beginners according to experienced players.
Instant casino. It allows playing games straight from a browser without the need to download any software. Also called flash casino.
KYC. Know Your Customer is a procedure of verifying a player’s identity in order to prevent fraud and underage gambling. The documents required by KYC include passport, identity card, driving license, and proof of address.
Layout. The outlook of the game or table when users place their wagers.
Lobby. A page of the online casino that contains a list of all of its games.
Martingale. A highly risky betting system when a player doubles the bet when losing.
Non-sticky bonuses. A casino bonus that can be cashed out without a need to clear any wagering requirements.
Odds. The chances of winning are defined by the casino. As a rule, the odds are given in percentages
Payout rate. The amount of money returned to a player is indicated as a percentage. For example, a 97% payout means a $97 return on every $100 wagered.
Provably fair. It is an algorithm that ensures the fairness of the games. When the round is over, players can open hashes and see everything that happened during the game. Provably fair games are extremely popular.
Random Number Generator (RNG). Software that is used by gambling sites to ensure that the games are random and not rigged. RNG determines the numbers during the next round or symbols on the slot’s reels.
Reload bonus. This bonus is offered to regular players for making a deposit.
Side bet. Bet type that can be placed on an outcome that is not related to the result directly. For example, in blackjack, you can place a side bet on whether the value of your first cards exceeds 12.
True odds. These are actual odds that are based on probability. As a rule, true odds exceed the payout ones and the difference means the casino’s edge. For example, the payout odds are 35:1, the true odds – 36:1.
Wagering requirements. The number of times you should bet the winnings in order to withdraw them. Usually, all casino bonuses come with wagering requirements (apart from the non-sticky ones).