Definitions of the Most Common Casino Terms

Casino terminology is frequently used by seasoned bettors whenever they place a wager or talk to croupiers. A beginner may have difficulty keeping up with pro gamblers as they may find certain casino lingo bewildering or mistake them for another word. It is important to understand these terms to keep up with veteran players. Below you will find the most common casino terms along with their definitions so that you may use them as fluently as pros do. 

Common Casino Terms

Bankroll: A Bankroll is the amount of money set aside for gambling. It is the total cash that a gambler is willing to risk when visiting a casino or logging in at an online establishment. It is advised to set a bankroll first before visiting casinos so that you do not spend more than you need to.

Bet: Bet or wager is the amount staked on a single round of a table game, such as blackjack or roulette. A bet can be placed on a single spin of a slot machine as well. Although betting has many types and strategies behind it, you can place multiple bets in one game.

Balance: The total amount of money that a player has in their casino gaming account is called balance. The Balance amount is used by players for betting and playing other casino games.

Bet Max (Maximum Bet/Max Bet): Bet max (maximum bet/max bet) is the highest bet that a player can wager. It is the topmost betting amount that can be placed in a game.

Beginner’s Luck: The term beginner’s luck is self-explanatory as it refers to a rookie player new to gambling who experiences a winning streak. Beginner’s luck is the winning streak a rookie has on their side during their first time playing a game.

Blinds: Blinds are bets that a player is forced to place in a game of poker. Poker blinds are compulsory bets and must be placed before any cards are dealt.

Bonus: A bonus is a reward offered to the player by the casino for encouraging them to continue playing. Bonus rewards are usually in the form of cash or freebies that increase the player’s chances of winning.

Calling: Matching someone’s existing bet is known as calling. It is most common in poker when someone raises the current bet, and another player matches their bet as well.

Chips: Casino tokens, or chips as they are commonly known, are discs used in lieu of currency. Chips represent money used to make bets. Chips are available in various values.

Classical Slots (Fruit Machine): The very first slots laid down the foundation of three-reel slot machines. Classical slots (fruit machines) used fruit symbols, hence the moniker “fruit machine” or “fruit slots.”

Dealer: The casino employee who deals cards to the players at the tables is referred to as the dealer. The “Pencil” or floor supervisor is responsible for making sure a dealer carries out their assignments.

Deposit: A casino deposit is the money players must have in their casino gaming account to play games. A casino will usually offer several ways for the player to make a deposit.

Double Down: The double down is a decision made by players to place an additional bet equal to their ante in exchange for one extra card.

Face Cards: A deck of cards with faces on one side are called face cards, such as King, Queen, Jack, etc.

Free Spins (Extra spins/Casino spins): Free spins (extra spins/casino spins) are the spins that a player wins without paying for them. They are usually granted as a bonus on certain slots.

High Roller (The Whale): A high roller (The Whale) is any player that wagers large amounts of money at the games. Qualifications for being a high roller vary between casinos.

House Edge: The house edge is the advantage the casino has over the players in terms of bet percentage. The house edge is the assured percentage the casino gets over time.

Jackpot: The largest prize that can be on a slot machine or other casino games is called a jackpot. The jackpot is often found in progressive games, whether table or slots.

Payline: A payline is the line in slot machines where a combination of symbols land to result in a win. A slot machine can feature more than one payline.

Payout Percentage (Return to Player – RTP): The term payout percentage (Return to Player-RTP) refers to the percentage of the total amount of money that will be paid back to the player over a certain period of time.

Progressive Jackpot: The grand prize of a progressive slot machine that increases every spin is called the progressive jackpot.

Random Number Generator (RNG): The random number generator (RNG) is a device that acts as the brain of slots. These devices generate random numbers to ensure that slot machine symbols and reels work unpredictably for fairness.

Reel: The reel is often used by slot machine enthusiasts to describe the horizontal columns on the screen where winning combinations and symbols land.

Scatter Symbol: A scatter symbol is one of the highest-paying symbols in slot machines that can appear on a single spin. In addition, a scatter symbol usually triggers free spins and other interactive bonus games.

Tapping Out: Tapping out in the context of gambling refers to a player that has emptied their entire bankroll. It is also when a player is done betting and wants to leave.

Final Thoughts

Luck is not the only thing you need to win at casinos; making strategies and understanding the situation is the key to success. One of the ingredients to strategies is understanding casino vocabulary so that you do not make errors or mistake one thing for another. Hopefully, you now understand some of the basic terms used in casinos. These terms will help you make better decisions and strategies for your next play. However, never be afraid to look up definitions of words you do not understand, and eventually, you will be a professional.