Casino Terminology
Learn the basic gambilng and casino terminology.
General Casino Terms
| Term |
Meaning |
| Bankroll |
The total amount of money a player has set aside for gambling. |
| House Edge |
The mathematical advantage the casino has over the player in a game. |
| RTP (Return to Player) |
The percentage of total bets a game will pay back over time (higher is better). |
| High Roller |
A player who bets large amounts of money. |
| Whale |
A casino’s most valued high roller, betting huge amounts. |
| Pit Boss |
A casino employee who oversees table games and dealers. |
| Comp (Complimentary) |
Free perks (meals, hotel stays, etc.) given to players based on their play. |
| Cage |
The cashier’s section of a casino where players exchange chips for money. |
| Jackpot |
The highest possible payout in a game, often in slots or progressive games. |
Slot Machine Terms
| Term |
Meaning |
| Payline |
The line across reels that determines winning combinations. |
| Progressive Jackpot |
A slot prize that grows over time as more players bet. |
| Reels |
The spinning sections of a slot machine that display symbols. |
| Volatility |
How often and how much a slot pays out (low volatility = frequent small wins, high volatility = rare big wins). |
| Scatter Symbol |
A special symbol that triggers free spins or bonuses, even if not on a payline. |
| Wild Symbol |
A symbol that substitutes for other symbols to help create winning combinations. |
| RNG (Random Number Generator) |
The algorithm ensuring every slot spin is random and fair. |
| Hit Frequency |
How often a slot machine produces a winning spin. |
| Max Bet |
The highest possible wager on a single spin. |
Table Game Terms
| Term |
Meaning |
| Dealer |
The casino employee who runs the game and deals cards. |
| Natural |
In Blackjack and Baccarat, a hand that wins instantly (Blackjack = 21 on first two cards). |
| Bust |
In Blackjack, a hand that goes over 21 and automatically loses. |
| Push |
A tie between the player and dealer (bet is returned). |
| Soft Hand |
A Blackjack hand that includes an Ace valued as 11 (e.g., A-6 = “soft 17”). |
| Hard Hand |
A Blackjack hand with no Aces or an Ace only worth 1. |
| Double Down |
Doubling a bet after receiving the first two cards in Blackjack. |
| Split |
In Blackjack, separating two identical cards into two separate hands. |
| Even Money |
A bet that pays 1:1, meaning you win the same amount as you wager. |
| Inside Bets |
Roulette bets placed on specific numbers (higher payouts, lower chances). |
| Outside Bets |
Roulette bets on broader categories (e.g., red/black, odd/even). |
| La Partage |
A French Roulette rule where a lost even-money bet on 0 gets refunded 50%. |
| En Prison |
A French Roulette rule where even-money bets on 0 stay for another spin instead of losing. |
| Shoe |
The device that holds multiple decks of cards in Baccarat or Blackjack. |
Betting & Wagering Terms
| Term |
Meaning |
| Wagering Requirement |
The number of times a player must bet a bonus amount before withdrawing winnings. |
| All-In |
In poker, betting all remaining chips. |
| Ante |
A small forced bet in poker or some table games. |
| Banker Bet |
In Baccarat, a bet on the Banker hand, which has the lowest house edge. |
| Croupier |
The French term for a dealer, used mainly in Roulette and Baccarat. |
| High Stakes |
Games with large minimum bets. |
| Low Stakes |
Games with small minimum bets, good for beginners. |
| Max Bet |
The highest allowed bet in a casino game. |
| Min Bet |
The smallest bet allowed at a table or slot machine. |
| Term |
Meaning |
| Welcome Bonus |
A first-time deposit bonus for new players. |
| No Deposit Bonus |
A bonus that does not require a deposit, usually in the form of free spins or small cash. |
| Free Spins |
A slot machine bonus allowing players to spin without betting. |
| Reload Bonus |
A bonus given to players who deposit additional money after the first deposit. |
| Cashback |
A percentage of lost bets refunded to the player. |
| VIP Program |
A loyalty system where players earn points, perks, and exclusive bonuses. |
| Rollover |
Another term for wagering requirements (the amount that must be bet before withdrawing bonus money). |
Online Casino & Live Dealer Terms
| Term |
Meaning |
| Live Dealer |
An online casino game where a real dealer is streamed live to players. |
| RNG Casino Game |
Online games that use Random Number Generators instead of live dealers. |
| Instant Play Casino |
A casino that can be played in a web browser without downloads. |
| Crypto Casino |
A casino that accepts Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. |
| Provably Fair |
A blockchain-based verification system used by crypto casinos to prove fairness. |
| Payout Percentage |
The amount of total bets a casino returns to players (same as RTP). |
Responsible Gambling Terms
| Term |
Meaning |
| Self-Exclusion |
A player voluntarily banning themselves from gambling. |
| Deposit Limit |
A restriction on how much a player can deposit within a time period. |
| Reality Check |
A notification reminding online players how long they have been gambling. |
| Problem Gambling |
When gambling negatively affects a person’s life or finances. |
| Tilt |
A state of emotional frustration that leads to bad betting decisions. |