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Online Casino Glossary — All Gambling Terms Explained

Welcome to PlayCasino's online casino glossary, designed to help you navigate the world of online gambling with ease. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, understanding the terminology used in the industry is crucial.

From basic terms like "betting limit" and "bonus" to more complex strategies like "arbitrage" and "Asian Handicap," our glossary covers it all. We'll also explain different types of bets, odds formats, and automatic winners to help you make informed decisions. So take a look at our glossary below and become an expert in the world of online casinos.

A

Action

The total amount of money that has been bet on a particular game or event.

Ante

A small bet that is required to be placed by all players before a game can begin.

Any Craps

A type of bet in craps where the player wins if the next roll is a 2, 3 or 12.

Any Seven

A type of bet in craps where the player wins if the next roll is a 7.

Arbitrage

A betting strategy that involves placing bets on all possible outcomes of a game or event in order to guarantee a profit.

Asian Handicap

A type of betting that originated in Asia, which involves giving a handicap to the underdog in order to level the playing field.

Automatic Winner

A player who wins a game or round without having to make a winning hand, such as in the case of a dealer going bust in blackjack.

American Odds

A type of odds format used mainly in the United States, which is expressed as either a positive or negative number. Positive numbers indicate the amount of profit that can be made from a $100 bet, while negative numbers indicate the amount of money that must be bet in order to win $100.

B

Bankroll

The total amount of money that a player has set aside for gambling.

Betting Limit

The minimum and maximum amount of money that a player can bet on a game or event.

Betting System

A strategy used by players to try to gain an edge over the casino or other players, such as the Martingale System.

Blackjack

A popular casino card game where players try to beat the dealer by getting a hand with a higher total value without going over 21.

Blind

A forced bet that is placed before the start of a poker game.

Bonus

Extra money or rewards that are given to players by online casinos as a way to encourage them to play more.

Bookmaker

A person or company that accepts bets and sets odds on sporting events or other competitions.

Break Even

A point in a game where a player has neither won nor lost money.

C

Call

In poker, matching the amount of the previous bet to stay in the game.

Card Counting

A technique used in blackjack to keep track of which cards have been played in order to gain an edge over the casino.

Cash Out

To withdraw money from an online casino account.

Casino Advantage

The statistical edge that the casino has over players, expressed as a percentage.

Chips

Small plastic or clay tokens that are used to represent money in a casino.

Cold Streak

A period of time where a player is consistently losing.

Combination Way Ticket

A type of bet in horse racing where the player bets on multiple horses to win, place or show.

Come Out Roll

In craps, the first roll of the dice in a round.

D

Dealer

The person who deals the cards or spins the wheel in a casino game.

Deposit

The act of adding money to an online casino account.

Double Down

In blackjack, the option to double a bet after seeing the initial two cards.

Drawing Dead

In poker, when a player has no chance of winning the hand, even if they get the card they need.

Drop

The amount of money that a player loses in a casino game.

Duplicate Ticket

In horse racing, a ticket that is accidentally printed twice.

Dutching

A betting strategy where a player bets on multiple outcomes of an event in order to guarantee a profit.

Dime Bet

A $1,000 bet.

E

Edge

An advantage that a player has over the casino or other players.

Even Money

A bet where the payout is the same as the amount wagered.

Expected Value

The amount of money that a player can expect to win or lose on a particular bet over the long run.

Eye in the Sky

A term used to describe the security cameras that are used in casinos to monitor the gaming floor.

European Odds

A type of odds format used mainly in Europe, which is expressed as a decimal number. The number represents the total payout, including the original bet.

Exacta

A type of bet in horse racing where the player bets on the first and second place horses in the correct order.

Exotic Bet

A type of bet in horse racing or sports betting that is more complex than a simple win, place or show bet.

Expected Loss

The amount of money that a player can expect to lose on a particular bet over the long run.

F

Face Cards

In a deck of cards, the Jack, Queen, and King cards.

False Shuffle

A cheating technique where a dealer pretends to shuffle the cards but leaves them in the same order.

Fixed Odds

A type of betting where the odds are set in advance and do not change.

Flat Betting

A betting strategy where a player bets the same amount on every hand or spin.

Flop

In poker, the first three community cards that are dealt face-up on the table.

Free Spins

A type of bonus offered by online casinos where players can https://www.playcasino.co.za/free-spins.

Full House

In poker, a hand consisting of three of a kind and a pair.

Full Pay

A term used in video poker to describe a machine with the best possible payout table.

G

Gambling

The act of betting or wagering on an outcome, often with the hope of winning money or other prizes.

Game

A specific type of gambling activity, such as poker, slots, or blackjack.

Gaming Commission

A government regulatory agency that oversees and enforces laws and regulations related to gambling activities within a specific jurisdiction. In South Africa, this is the South African National Gambling Board.

Gaming License

A permit issued by a gaming commission that allows an individual or organization to legally operate a gambling business.

Grind

In gambling, to make small but steady profits over time by playing conservatively and taking advantage of favorable odds.

Gaming Floor

The area in a casino where gambling activities take place.

Grease

Illegal payments or bribes made to casino employees or officials to gain an advantage.

Greedy

A player who takes unnecessary risks in an attempt to win more money than is reasonable or likely.

Gross Winnings

The total amount of money won by a player before any deductions or taxes are taken out.

Guaranteed Tournament

A poker tournament with a guaranteed prize pool, meaning that the minimum amount of money that will be awarded to the winners is predetermined.

Gambler's Fallacy

The mistaken belief that the outcome of a random event is affected by previous events, such as believing that a coin flip is more likely to come up heads after a series of tails.

Gambler's Ruin

The tendency of a player with a limited bankroll to eventually lose all their money through a series of bad luck or poor decisions.

Ghosting

The act of having someone else play on your behalf in an online poker tournament.

Going All-In

In poker, to bet all of your remaining chips on a single hand.

H

House Edge

The mathematical advantage that the casino has over the player in a particular game.

High Roller

A player who bets large sums of money at a casino.

Hit

In blackjack, to take another card from the dealer in an attempt to improve your hand.

Hold

The percentage of the total amount wagered that the casino keeps as profit.

Hold 'Em

A type of poker game where each player is dealt two cards and must use them in combination with five community cards to make the best possible hand.

Hand

The cards that a player is dealt in a card game.

Handicapping

The process of analyzing and predicting the outcome of a sports event or horse race.

Hard Count

The process of physically counting the money in a casino's vault or cash drawers.

High Card

In poker, the highest ranking card in a hand when no other combination is made.

Hit Frequency

The average number of times that a slot machine pays out a winning combination.

Hit and Run

In gambling, to make a quick profit and then leave the game immediately.

Hold Percentage

The amount of money that the casino keeps

Hole Card

In blackjack, the card that is dealt face down to the dealer.

House Rules

The specific rules and procedures that a casino has in place for each game.

House Way

The specific strategy used by a casino's dealer to play their hand in certain games such as Pai Gow Poker.

Hustler

A skilled gambler who uses deception and other tactics to win at a game.

House Advantage

The percentage of the player's bet that the casino is mathematically expected to keep as profit.

I

Inside Bet

In roulette, a bet placed on a specific number or group of numbers located on the inner part of the betting table.

Insurance

In blackjack, a side bet that is offered when the dealer's face-up card is an Ace. The player can bet that the dealer has a blackjack and if they do, the player is paid 2:1.

Interac

An electronic payment system used by Canadian banks for online transactions.

In the Money

In a tournament, the stage where players have won enough money to receive a payout.

J

Jackpot

The largest possible payout on a slot machine or other casino game.

Joker

A wild card in some card games that can be used as any card to complete a winning hand.

Junket

A trip arranged by a casino for a group of high rollers to visit and gamble at the casino.

Juice

A commission or percentage of the winnings that a bookmaker charges on bets.

Jumping the Claim

In horse racing, the act of claiming a horse from a race before it is completed.

Junket Operator

A person or organization that arranges junket trips to a casino.

Jacks or Better

A type of video poker game in which a pair of Jacks or a higher hand is required to win.

James Bond Roulette System

A betting strategy in roulette where the player bets on specific numbers and splits, made famous by the character in the James Bond novels and films.

Jinx

A superstition that certain actions or behaviors can bring bad luck to a gambler.

Joint Bankroll

A shared bankroll used by multiple players, typically in a poker game.

Junket Rep

A representative of a casino who is responsible for arranging junket trips and catering to the needs of high rollers.

Jackpot Meter

A display on a slot machine that shows the current value of the jackpot.

Jackpot City

A term used to describe a casino or location that has a reputation for paying out large jackpots.

Jackpotjoy

An online bingo and casino site that originated in the UK.

Jump Bet

A bet made in the middle of a craps game on a specific number, without waiting for the shooter to establish a point.

Jackpotting

The illegal act of hacking into an ATM or slot machine to make it dispense money.

K

Keno

A lottery-style game where players select numbers and hope they are drawn

Key Bet

A bet made on a particular number or outcome that the player believes will significantly affect the outcome of the game.

King Crab Leg

A term used in poker to describe a high-ranking hand of three Kings and two Threes.

Knockout Tournament

A tournament format where players are eliminated from the tournament after losing a certain number of hands or chips.

Kicker

The highest-ranking card in a hand that is not part of a winning combination.

Kill

In some poker games, a rule that requires a player who wins two consecutive hands to post an additional forced bet to increase the pot.

Kiting

The act of taking advantage of the float time between when a deposit is made and when the funds are available to gamble with.

Kojack

A term used in poker to describe a hand that includes a King and a Jack.

Kicker Trouble

A situation where a player has a good hand but is unlikely to win due to the high card or kicker being lower than their opponent's.

L

Lay Bet

A bet made against a particular outcome, also known as a "don't bet".

Layoff

In sports betting, the act of placing a bet with a different bookmaker to reduce risk and potential losses.

Let It Ride

A popular table game where players make three bets and have the option to withdraw them as the game progresses.

Limit

The maximum amount that can be bet on a particular game or by a particular player.

Line Bet

A bet placed on a particular line of numbers on a craps table.

Loaded Dice

Dice that have been altered to give a particular outcome, typically used for cheating.

Low Roller

A player who typically bets small amounts of money.

Lucky 7

A term used to describe the number 7, which is considered lucky in many cultures and is a popular betting option in various casino games.

Luminar

A software system used by some casinos to monitor player behavior and detect potential fraud or cheating.

Late Surrender

A rule in blackjack that allows players to surrender their hand and lose half of their bet after the dealer has checked for blackjack.

M

Martingale

A betting strategy in which a player doubles their bet after every loss, with the goal of eventually recouping their losses and making a profit.

Maximum Bet

The highest amount that a player can bet on a particular game or bet type.

Muck

The pile of discarded cards in a card game, or the act of throwing away one's cards.

Multi-Hand

A game where a player can play multiple hands at the same time.

Marker

A line of credit extended to a player by a casino.

Moneyline

A type of sports betting where the player bets on a particular team to win the game outright.

Minimum Bet

The smallest amount that a player can bet on a particular game or bet type.

Match Play

A type of bonus or promotion offered by casinos where the player's winnings are matched by the casino up to a certain amount.

Mini-Baccarat

A variation of baccarat that is played with fewer players and lower stakes.

Multi-Table Tournament

A poker tournament where players are split between multiple tables and then consolidated into a single table as players are eliminated.

N

Natural

A term used in blackjack to describe a two-card hand that adds up to 21.

Nickel

Slang for a $5 chip or bet.

Non-Sticky Bonus

A type of casino bonus that allows players to withdraw their winnings and the bonus amount once they have met the wagering requirements.

Novice

A beginner or new player in a particular game or casino.

Nuts

Slang for having the best possible hand in a particular game.

Negative Expectation

A situation where the odds are against the player and they are likely to lose money in the long run.

Neteller

An e-wallet payment system commonly used in online gambling.

No Deposit Bonus

A type of casino bonus that allows players to receive a bonus without having to make a deposit.

Nosebleed Stakes

Extremely high stakes in a particular game or tournament, typically only played by professional or high-roller players.

O

Odds

The probability of a particular event occurring, typically expressed as a ratio or fraction.

Off-Track Betting (OTB)

A type of betting where players can bet on horse races from remote locations, such as a betting parlor or online platform.

Out

A card that is still in the deck and has yet to be dealt.

Overlay

A situation where the odds on a particular bet are in favor of the player, creating a positive expectation.

Omaha

A popular variation of poker that is similar to Texas Hold'em, but with four hole cards instead of two.

One-Roll Bet

A bet in craps that is resolved in a single roll of the dice.

On Tilt

A state of emotional frustration or distress that can cause a player to make irrational or unwise betting decisions.

Open Card

A card that is dealt face-up in a particular game.

Online Casino

A virtual platform where players can place bets and play casino games over the internet.

Outs

The number of cards that can improve a player's hand in a particular game.

P

Pit

The area of a casino where table games are located.

Parlay

A type of bet where the player wagers on the outcome of multiple events, with the winnings from each bet being rolled over onto the next bet.

Pass Line

A bet in craps that wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll, and loses if they roll a 2, 3, or 12.

Payout Percentage

The percentage of total bets in a particular game that are paid out as winnings to players over the long run.

Pit Boss

A casino employee who oversees the table games and manages the dealers and other staff.

Progressive Jackpot

A type of jackpot that increases in value every time a player makes a bet, typically found in slot machines and some table games.

Push

A tie or draw in a particular game where neither the player nor the dealer wins.

Pay Table

A chart that displays the payouts for a particular game, including the odds of winning different bet types.

Playthrough Requirement

The number of times a player must wager a bonus amount before they can withdraw any winnings.

Pot

The total amount of money or chips that players are betting on in a particular hand or game.

Q

Quads

A poker hand that contains four cards of the same rank.

Quarters

A slang term for $25 chips used in casinos.

Quantum Roulette

A variation of traditional roulette that includes multipliers on the roulette wheel, allowing for the possibility of larger payouts.

Quinella

A type of horse racing bet where the player picks the two horses they believe will finish first and second, in any order.

Quick Pick

A type of lottery ticket where a computer randomly generates the numbers.

Quads

A term used in video poker to describe a hand that contains four cards of the same rank.

Qualifier

A requirement that a player must meet in order to be eligible for a particular bonus or promotion.

Quitting Time

The predetermined time that a player decides to stop gambling and leave the casino.

Queen High

A poker hand that includes a queen as the highest card.

Quarter Horse

A breed of horse that is commonly used in short-distance races, typically a quarter mile or less.

R

Rack

A tray that holds multiple stacks of chips in a casino.

Rake

The percentage of each pot that is taken by the house as a fee for hosting a poker game.

Reload Bonus

A type of bonus offered to existing players who make a deposit into their account.

River

The fifth and final community card dealt in games like Texas Hold'em, used to make the best possible five-card hand.

RNG

An acronym for "Random Number Generator," a computer program used to ensure the fairness and randomness of online casino games.

Roll

The act of throwing the dice in a game like craps.

Round Robin

A type of sports betting where the player makes multiple parlay bets on the same group of teams.

Running Count

In card counting, the total count of the cards that have been dealt and remain in the shoe.

RTP

An acronym for "Return to Player," the theoretical percentage of total bets that are paid out as winnings to players over the long run.

Reels

The rotating wheels or cylinders that display the symbols in a slot machine.

S

Scatter Symbol

A symbol in a slot machine that pays out a prize regardless of its position on the reels.

Shoe

The container that holds the decks of cards used in a game like blackjack.

Showdown

The final stage of a poker hand where the remaining players reveal their cards and the winner is determined.

Single Deck

A type of blackjack game where only one deck of cards is used.

Slot Machine

A casino game that features reels with symbols and pays out prizes based on the combinations that appear on the reels.

Soft Hand

A blackjack hand that contains an Ace that can be counted as either one or eleven without busting.

Split

A blackjack move where the player divides their hand into two separate hands and receives an additional card for each.

Sportsbook

A section of a casino or an online platform that offers sports betting.

Stake

The amount of money that a player wagers on a single bet or game.

Straight

A poker hand that contains five cards of sequential rank, regardless of suit.

T

Table Games

Casino games that are played at a table, such as blackjack, roulette, and craps.

Taking the Odds

In craps, making an additional bet on the point after a pass or come bet has been placed.

Texas Hold'em

A popular poker game where each player is dealt two cards and shares five community cards to make the best possible five-card hand.

Three of a Kind

A poker hand that contains three cards of the same rank.

Tilt

A state of emotional or mental confusion that can negatively affect a player's decision-making and lead to poor choices.

Token

A physical object, often resembling a coin, that is used to represent a certain amount of value in a casino.

Total Bet

The total amount of money that a player wagers on a single bet or game.

Triple Crown

A horse racing achievement that involves winning three major races in a single season.

True Count

In card counting, the count of the cards that have been dealt and remain in the shoe, adjusted for the number of decks remaining.

Two Pair

A poker hand that contains two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.

U

Underdog

The competitor or team in a sports contest that is expected to lose.

Unit

The amount of money that a player bets on a single wager.

Up Card

The face-up card in a dealer's hand in games like blackjack, which is used by the player to make decisions.

Upcard

The card that is dealt face-up in a poker game, typically used in stud games.

Upper Bet Limit

The maximum amount that a player is allowed to bet on a single hand or game.

Use Your Illusion

A slang term used in craps to describe a player who makes an ill-advised bet.

Utility Player

A player who is able to play multiple positions in a casino or sportsbook.

UTH

An abbreviation for Ultimate Texas Hold'em, a popular poker variant played in casinos.

Underlay

A bet that is placed when the odds are against the bettor winning.

UIGEA

An abbreviation for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, a US federal law that regulates online gambling.

V

VIP

An abbreviation for Very Important Person, referring to a high-value player at a casino.

Variance

The measure of how much the results of a game or bet vary from the expected outcome.

Video Poker

A type of electronic poker game that is played on a video screen.

Vigorish

Also known as "vig" or "juice," this is the commission that a sportsbook charges on a bet.

Virtual Reality Casino

An online casino that uses virtual reality technology to create an immersive gaming experience.

Visible Player

A player who is visible to the dealer and other players at the table.

Void

A term used to describe a bet that is cancelled or deemed invalid for some reason.

Volatility

A measure of how much the value of a game or bet can fluctuate over time.

Value

A term used in sports betting to describe when the odds on a bet are more favorable than the actual chances of winning.

Vigorish Refund

A refund given by a sportsbook when a bet is deemed a "push" or "tie."

W

Whale

A term used to describe a very high-roller or big-spending gambler.

Wager

The amount of money that a player bets on a game or event.

Wheel

A slang term used in roulette to describe the physical spinning wheel that the ball is thrown onto.

Wild Card

In a card game, a card that can be used to represent any other card.

Wire Transfer

A method of sending money electronically from one bank account to another.

Winning Hand

The best hand in a poker game that beats all other hands.

Winning Streak

A series of successful bets or wins in a row.

World Series of Poker (WSOP)

The most prestigious series of poker tournaments held annually in Las Vegas.

Wrong Bettor

A player who bets against the shooter in a game of craps.

WTP

An abbreviation for World Tavern Poker, a nationwide bar poker league.

X

X-card

A card in a game of blackjack that is dealt face down.

X odds

A type of bet in craps that pays out at true odds.

Xtra Reel Power

A feature in some slot machines that offers more ways to win by adding additional reels.

Xylophone

A slang term for the numbers 6 and 5 in craps.

X-carding

A form of cheating in which a player marks cards with an X to identify them.

X-ways

A feature in some slot machines that offers multiple ways to win on each spin.

Xpressbet

An online platform for horse racing betting.

X-Factor

A factor that can influence the outcome of a game or event, but is not easily quantifiable.

X-Ray Vision

A slang term for the ability to see through cards in poker.

X-System

A betting system used in roulette that involves placing bets on multiple numbers.

Y

Yard

A slang term for $100 in chips or cash.

Yellow

A slang term for a $1,000 chip in some casinos.

Yo

A term used in craps to indicate a bet on the number 11.

Yacht

A slang term for a large win or jackpot.

Yankee

A type of multiple bet in horse racing that involves four selections in different races.

Yellow Zone

A warning area in a casino where players are watched more closely for cheating or suspicious behavior.

Yield Management

A technique used by casinos to optimize their revenue by adjusting pricing and availability of games and services.

Yield Percentage

The amount of money a casino keeps from the total amount of money wagered.

Younger Players

A term used in the casino industry to refer to new or less experienced players.

Your Bet

A term used in craps to indicate that a player's bet is still active.

Z

Zero

The number on a roulette wheel that represents the house edge.

Zigzag

A betting strategy in which a player alternates between high and low bets.

Zinger

A slang term for a big win or jackpot.

Zombie

A slang term for a player who has lost all their money but continues to play.

Zoom

A feature in some online casino games that allows players to zoom in on the action for a closer view.

Zynga

A company that develops and operates social games including casino-style games like poker and slots.

Zorro

A popular slot machine game with a theme based on the fictional character Zorro.

Zapper

A device used to test the authenticity of casino chips.

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