A Beginner’s Guide to Gambling Terminology

Gambling Terminology Guide

General Gambling Lingo and Terminology

• Affiliate: used to describe a tertiary party, normally running a website, that advertises online casinos and is financially compensated for doing so – either through referral traffic or for paid placement.

• ADR: this stands for Alternative Dispute Resolution and UKGC and MGA licensed operators must appoint an ADR to allow customers to extend the scope of a complaint beyond the realms of the casino management. ADRs can make legally binding rulings regarding the actions of operators and if the license require an ADR provision, operators must name their chosen ADR(s) in their Terms and Conditions so that customers can contact them. An extensive guide can be found in our Regulators section.

• AGCC: the Alderney Gambling Control Commission – a well-respected gambling regulator based in Alderney.

• Chargeback: this refers to deposits made to an online casino via credit/debit card which are recalled by a player via their bank because they claim, frequently fraudulently, that they did not make these deposits.

• Comp Points: a rewards system designed to encourage loyalty and repeat custom in players. Normally made up of several levels connected to the level of playing activity logged by the player in question. Rewards can take several forms and are particular to each operator.

• Curacao: a regulator based in the Netherlands Antilles – our understanding is that there are 4 master license holders allocating licenses in this jurisdiction. Curacao are a low value regulator and do little to help with player complaints.

• Deposit: the amount a player deposits into their online account for betting purposes.

• Even Money: a wager that pays out 1:1.

• E-wallet: these are linked to a player’s bank account and can be used to deposit and withdraw funds from a casino – they are an online payments system. Neteller and Skrill are two popular examples.

• Eye in the Sky: security cameras that allow casino management to keep track of everything happening on the gaming floor. Most tables have a camera set above them so a close eye can be kept for fair play.

• Freeroll: a type of tournament offered by some casinos that allows players to take part without the need for an entry fee.

• GGC: The Gibraltar Gambling Commission – a well-respected gambling regulator based in Gibratar – previously called The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority.

• GSC: The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission – a well-respected gambling regulator based in The Isle of Man.

• High Roller: a player that spends significant amounts, much more than the regular player, of cash gambling. Informally these players are called whales.

• House Edge: this phrase refers to the mathematical advantage a casino has over a player. In layman’s terms it tells the player how likely they are to win. It is the house edge that allows the casino to be profitable. See also RTP.

• Jackpot: this is the maximum amount that a given game will pay out.

• KGC: Kahnawake Gaming Commission – credited as being the first regulatory body dedicated to gambling.

• Live Chat: a feature offered by many online operators enabling customers to use instant messaging to speak directly to a support agent if they require assistance.

• Martingale System: a progression betting system whereby a player doubles his last bet against every loss in the hope that he will win eventually. This system is not profitable and is mathematically proven not to work.

• MGA: Malta Gaming Authority – a well-respected European gambling regulator based in Malta.

• Odds: a way for those in gambling circles to express the likelihood of an outcome occurring – a pair of numbers are the usual means of expressing this to customers e.g. 3 to 2.

• Progression Betting: this is an umbrella term for a variety of different betting systems so called because the wagering pattern is a progression dependent on whether a player’s previous wager was a winning or losing one. Positive progression betting is based on winning wagers and negative progression betting on losing ones. Popular progression betting systems are: the Martingale, the Paroli, the Labouchere and Reverse Labouchere and several others.

• Progressive Jackpot: sometimes also called a network progressive – a jackpot paid out by the software provider that created the game – it is a centrally held jackpot that is available at all properties offering that particular game. The jackpot pool increases with each losing bet made by a player at any of the properties offering the game.

• Random Number Generator: also referred to as the RNG – this is a program that generates a sequence of numbers that cannot be predicted – these are popularly used to randomize slots and other digital games to ensure they are fair.

• Reality Check: a means by which players can keep track of the length of their playing session to allow them to stay in control of their gambling habits. Not all operators are required to offer this feature but many of the higher quality licensors encourage them to do so.

• Regulator: the body responsible for issuing licenses to gambling operators – there are several out there. Some regulators take their licensing duties more seriously than others. Some operators to run without a license and these should be avoided.

• Return to Player: this term refers to the amount a player can expect to have returned during game play – it should be noted that the figure is arrived at after hundreds of thousands, or even millions of games – it is by no means certain that a player will see this return during a single session or even over a few sessions. If a game’s RTP is listed as 95.2% then it means over an extended period for every £1 collective players wager, they can expect to get £0.952 of it back during play. See also House Edge.

• Self-exclusion: a restriction method offered by some operators – certainly the UKGC and the MGA license holders are expected to make provision to allow players to do this – they can restrict their play for a period of up to 5 years.

• Sucker Bet: a bet that hugely favours the house and so is highly unlikely to prove profitable.

• Terms and Conditions/T&C: the set of rules that governs players who elect to sign up with a specific operator. They will, amongst other things, outline any restricted jurisdictions, give licensing details, lay out the rights of the player and the operator and highlight forbidden actions on the operator’s site. Players should take the time to read the Terms and Conditions before deciding to sign up with an operator – they are considered binding.

• Time Out: a restriction method offered by some operators – certainly the UKGC and the MGA license holders are expected to make provision to allow players to do this – they can restrict their play for a period of up to 6 weeks.

• Tip/Toke: a gratuity payed to severs and dealers in recompense for good service or a winning hand.

• UKGC: the United Kingdom Gambling Commission – a highly respected gambling regulator with jurisdiction over players from the UK and a say in the treatment they are entitled to expect from operators.

Bonus Lingo and Terminology

• Balance: the amount a player has sitting in their account at an online operator with which they can place bets.

• Bonus: a complimentary offer (usually monetary) designed to encourage customers to sign up with a casino or continue playing beyond the initial sign up offer. Bonuses always come with attached conditions to ensure operators do not lose to much in the giving.

• Bonus Abuse: the phrase used by operators to define an attempt by a player to misuse bonus funds in a way the casino did not intend them to, or that is forbidden according to the casino’s Terms and Conditions, in order to financially benefit themselves.

• Bonus Ban: this is the term used to define action taken by an operator against a player suspected of bonus abuse in order to prevent them from being able to claim further bonuses.

• Bonus Code: a specific code that some casino bonuses require for collection.

• Bonus Policy: sometimes also referred to as Bonus Terms and Conditions. This refers to rules that govern play while a bonus is active on a player’s account.

• Cashable: this relates to a category of bonus – one which can be withdrawn if any of it remains once wagering requirements have been completed.

• Cashback: this term links to a specific category of bonus whereby players receive a percentage of net losses incurred during play back as cash.

• Contribution (wagering): sometimes also referred to as games weightings. During bonus play at some casinos certain games contribute more or less to the wagering requirement set for that particular bonus.

• Free Spins: when used in the context of a bonus this refers to a type of bonus that grants players a specific number of complimentary spins on a specified game or games – players do not have to make a deposit to receive these and there is often a fairly low win limit associated with them.

• Maximum Bet: also called the max bet - the highest amount a player in possession of bonus can play in a single round of play until the bonus wagering is complete. If a player exceeds this limit anu associated winnings will be forfeit.

• Maximum Win: sometimes referred to as a win cap. Some casinos limit the amount a player can win from a bonus they have claimed. Funds in excess of the win limit are removed from the player’s account at the point of withdrawal.

• Minimum Deposit: the lowest amount a player is required to deposit in order to claim a bonus.

• No Deposit Bonus: a category of bonus offered by some casinos whereby the player does not need to make a deposit to claim it. Like free spins it often has a maximum withdrawal linked to it.

• Reload Bonus: an offer given to repeat customers of a casino – most commonly a deposit match bonus but may also be free spins.

• Sticky Bonus: a type of bonus allocated to players that means they can play with but never withdraw the actual bonus funds themselves.

• Wagering Requirement: sometimes called a playthrough or rollover - this is the complete amount a player must wager before any bonus winnings can be withdrawn. Most commonly this is denoted as a multiplier of either the bonus amount or the deposit+bonus amount. So if a player deposits £100 and receives a bonus of £100 and the wagering requirement is 45x(D+B) then the amount that the player must wager is 45x(100+100)=£9,000.

• Welcome Bonus: an offer designed to attract new sign-ups for operators – only available to new players – can take different forms including free spins and percentage deposit match.

Slots Lingo and Terminology

• Bonus Feature: sometimes also called a bonus round. These rounds are usually very entertaining and can be financially rewarding too as they can cause a winning fluctuation. Players always look forward to triggering these features

• Classic Slot: a term that generally refers to the 3-reeled slot games that resemble the old-fashioned reel machines – sometimes called fruit machines. They normally use the classic fruit and bar symbols as opposed to the more modern themed images of video slots. They tend not to offer any bonus features unlike video slots. Normally these games have one payline – though there are instance of them having up to 5.

• Coin: it is useful to think of a coin as a unit of wagering. Some slot games allow players to vary their coin size according to how much they are willing to wager. If a slots game has 5 lines and a player sets their coin size to £1 then each time the game is activated, they will wager £5.

• Double Up: relates to the act of hitting a gamble feature and doubling your winnings.

• Free Spins: this is the number of spins within a slots game that a player wins without contributing more money to get them.

• Fruity: in Great Britain this slang term is used to refer to slots games in general.

• Mobile Slot: a subcategory of slots games specifically engineered to work on mobile phones.

• Payline: refers to a winning line in a slots game – it displays one of the combinations of symbols that gives rise to a win.

• Paytable: this is an informative table built into a slots game that contains all a player needs to know particular to that game. Details such as the various symbols and their values, the possible winning combinations and the special features players can unlock.

• Pokies: the Aussie slang term that is blanket applied to any slots game.

• Reel: most commonly a vertically rotating wheel (sometimes can be in another form) that features all of the slot symbols featuring in a particular game and spins alongside the others to form different configurations of these symbols – some of which will be winning ones!

• Scatter Symbol: a scatter symbol is the symbol a player most looks forward to seeing. These symbols allow players to access hidden features that take multiple forms including games within the game and free spins. Each game will have a different design for its scatter symbol – usually one that links to the overall theme of the game. The beauty f the scatter symbol is that it can be situated on any line to work its magic – it doesn’t have to be locked into a payline.

• Trigger: the action of setting off a special feature hidden in a slots game.

• Video Slot: in the current market these games are now the front runners in the market. Unlike classic slots that most often feature 3 reels – video slots generally have 5. The in-game graphics are usually more complex than their classic slot counterparts and animations are common. Unlike classic slots which mostly have a single payline, video slots have multiple paylines alongside a range of different bonus features.

• Wild Symbol: much beloved of players for their ability to transform a losing spin into a winning one. Wild symbols can morph into what a player needs them to be in order to make a winning payline.

Blackjack Lingo and Terminology

• Basic Strategy: the strategy that gives optimal playing results for each situation that may arise during play.

• Bust: 1) when a hand totals greater than 21; 2) to completely obliterate one’s funds – known also as “busting out”.

• Double: a player can choose to double their original stake if they think their hand is of sufficient quality to do so.

• Discard Tray: where the used cards are stored after play has completed for that round.

• First Base: the first seat available at a gaming table.

• Hard: used to describe the first 2 cards dealt in a hand if they do not contain an Ace.

• Hit: the phrase used to the dealer if a player would like to receive another card – can also be indicated by taping the table.

• Hole Card: the first card in the dealer’s hand is normally dealt face down meaning it’s value is not exposed at first.

• Insurance: a side bet that is made available to players if the dealer is in possession of an Ace. The bet (if winning) pays out 2:1.

• Natural: when a player is dealt a straight-up blackjack (a 10 and an Ace) on their first two cards – on the condition that the dealer does not also have a blackjack.

• Paint: also referred to as “face cards” or “court cards” that is the royal cards: Jack, Queen and King.

• Pips: the number cards.

• Shoe: the holder that playing cards are dealt from in multi-deck games.

• Soft: used to describe the first 2 cards dealt in a hand if one of them is an Ace – since an Ace can be valued at 1 or 11 this makes a soft hand more flexible.

• Split: when a player is dealt two identical cards as their first two cards, they are allowed to divide them to form two separate hands that may result in stronger hands – to do so they must add a duplicate wager equal to that of their original.

• Stand: the phrase used to the dealer when a player does not wish to receive any more cards – a left to right sweeping motion indicates the same thing.

• Stick: see “stand”.

• Suit: the symbol that denotes which of the four families (spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds) a playing card belong to. The card’s rank denotes the position it takes within the family with 2 being the lowest ranked and the Ace being highest ranked.

• Surrender: an action a player can undertake if they believe their hand to be a losing one – if they choose to fold their hand then they lose half of their original bet rather than the full amount they would lose if the hand lost.

• Third Base: the last spot on the games table – players sitting here receive their cards last of all.

• Twist: see “hit”.

Poker Lingo and Terminology

• Ante: the initial wager required to qualify for play.

• All In: this describes a player’s final act – they use up the last of their chips so there is nothing more than they can do.

• Bad Beat: this is when a player has a hand that is very strong going up against a player with a far less strong hand, in fact one that mathematically is unlikely to win, then they draw two very lucky cards to win.

• Blind: not all poker games have blinds, but some can have up to 3. In essence these are mandatory bets that are normally found in poker games that do not require an ante bet.

• Bluff: when a player raises despite having a hand they know to be weak – their intent – to make a player with a stronger hand to fold it.

• Broadway: the name for straight with aces high.

• Busted: this is when a player does not successfully make a straight or flush from their hand.

• Button: a type of marker – placed beside the person responsible for dealing.

• Buy-in: this is the quantity of cash required to take part in a tournament.

• Call: the act of matching another player’s bet, or indeed raising it.

• Cash Plays: when a player takes part in play without changing their cash for casino chips first.

• Check: a round during which a player decides not to make a bet. Tapping the table indicates the decision to check.

• Chip Dumping: when one player deliberately loses chips to another – this is strictly against the rules!

• Chip Up: when a player exchanges low denomination casino chips for higher value ones.

• Chop: when a pot is split between one or more players who have tied for the win.

• Dealer’s Choice: this is a variant of poker where each dealer taking part can employ different rules during play when in control of the round.

• Drawing Dead: when an initial hand dealt is so bad that there is no hope of transforming it into a winning hand.

• Fish: an exceptionally weak player who is clearly playing abominably.

• Flop: name assigned to the first three cards dealt to a player – on occasion it is also used to refer to the action of dealing the initial 3 cards too.

• Flush: a hand comprising 5 cards of the same suit. In scoring terms this outranks straight flush but is outranked by a full house.

• Full House: a hand comprising 3 cards of the same rank and another pair. In scoring terms this outranks a flush but is outranked by four-of-a-kind.

• Grinder: refers to a player that ekes out a living playing the game. Derives from the phrase: daily grind.

• In Position: the player that makes their play last in the game – often beneficial because you have knowledge of how everyone else has played their hand before you have to decide what to do with yours.

• Inside Straight: when a hand lacks a card in the middle of a sequence that would make a straight if it appeared. For example, 5, 6, _, 8 and 9. The 7 is required to make an inside straight.

• Kicker: the name given to a card that isn’t necessarily part of it, in that it does nothing to confirm the rank of a hand, but that can become part of it if needed to avoid a tie situation. If two hands had matching pairs high – for example K-K-4-3-2 vs K-K-10-5-4, then the 10 kicker outranks that of the 4 kicker in the other hand.

• Made Hand: a hand that requires nothing to be added to it in order for the player dealt it to win.

• Micro Limit: an ultra-low roller level of poker only available online – tiny stakes can be wagered in comparison with regular games.

• Muck: to throw away a card.

• No Limit: players are able to bet whatever they want – their entire chip stack of they so desire.

• Nosebleed Stakes: the maximum stakes available to players during cash play. Blinds are commonly a minimum of £250-£350.

• Nut Hand: the optimum hand that could manifest during a specific scenario.

• Off Suit: when cards are not part of the same suit.

• Out Position: usually refers to the player that plays first – they have no information about how any of the others will play their hand – it can also apply to other spots that are no the last at the table.

• Outside Straight: refers to a hand comprising 4 cards in sequence where the missing fifth card falls at either end in order to complete the straight.

• Pocket Aces: when an initial hand dealt contains a duo of Aces.

• Pocket Pair: when an initial hand dealt contains two cards of the same rank.

• Pot: this refers to the centralized amount of money that has been wagered by players in a poker game – sometimes it is one by a single player but at other times several players may share a pot.

• Railbird: someone that likes to watch poker games but not play themself.

• Raise: to make an increase to the previously highest bet.

• Rake: refers to the portion of the pot that is the poker room’s share.

• Rounder: a poker player of considerable skill who moves to where the high stakes games are in order to take part.

• Royal Flush: The hand that outranks all others in a poker game, comprising: Ace, Queen, King, Jack and Ten – all, of course, must be of the same suit.

• Runner-runner: an initial hand that goes on to become a made hand when the turn card and the river card come into play.

• Rush: this is when a player wins consecutively for an extended time.

• Satellite: the name for a gateway tournament which allows the winner entry into a more lucrative tournament.

• Shark: a talented poker participant who plays as their profession.

• Shill: often a player free rolling on the casinos cash in order to make it look like the game is profitable for players. Regularly take the form of glamourous ladies to prove as distracting as possible since casinos house a large number of male players.

• Short Stack: a number of chips totaling a lot less than the stakes being played would suggest necessary for success.

• Slow Play: an act of deception – when a player has a strong hand but bets a smaller stake than the hand warrants to trick other players.

• Stack: the collective number of casino chips or indeed the total amount of cash a player possesses.

• Straight Flush: this refers to a hand of 5 cards belonging to the same suit that also run consecutively in numerical order. Should two players possess a straight flush then the victory goes to the one that has the highest-ranking card at the end of the run.

• Suit: the symbol that denotes which of the four families (spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds) a playing card belong to. The card’s rank denotes the position it takes within the family with 2 being the lowest ranked and the Ace being highest ranked.

• Tell: an action or habit that a player has which allows other players to read the quality of their hand.

• Three-of-a-kind: a trio of cards that share the same rank.

• Tilt: this is descriptive of an overly emotional state – normally aggravation - that causes a player to make poor playing decisions.

• Trips: see three-of-a-kind – this is the slang word used to mean the same thing.

• Up the Ante: increasing the stakes.

Roulette Lingo and Terminology

• Backtrack: also ball-track – the outside edge of the wheel where the ball rotates.

• Biased Wheel: a roulette wheel that has a tendency to favour certain sections as a result of age or deliberate action.

• Black Action: simply refers to a wager made using a black casino chip – usually $100 or £100.

• Black Bet: when a player wagers that the next colour to fall will be black.

• Blacks: the informal name given to the black $100 or £100 chip.

• Bottom Track: this refers to the part of the roulette wheel that does not move – it slopes allowing the ball to move down it before spinning then making its way into one of the pockets.

• Combination Bet: a wager that is made on multiple numbers.

• Corner Bet: a wager that specifies 4 numbers in a particular segment will come up.

• Even Money: a wager that will pay out at a rate of 1:1 – in roulette all bets are even money bets.

• Gaffed Wheel: a roulette wheel that has been tampered with to favour either the casino or the player.

• Greens: informal name given to the green casino chips – usually worth $25 or £25.

• High Bet: the high numbers are the numbers 19-36 and a high bet is when a player bets on one of these numbers turning up.

• Inside Bet: this is when a player wagers on the middle portion of the numbered layout.

• Line Bet: a bet surmising that a single number of 6 – three numbers in each of two rows divided by a line on the layout, will be successful.

• Low Bet: the low numbers are the numbers 1-18 and a low bet is when a player bets on one of these numbers turning up.

• Odd Bet: as it sounds – a wager that an odd number will be the next to appear.

• Outside Bets: this refers to the wagers that pay 2:1 or even and that can be found round the outside of the wheel.

• Quarter Bet: also called square bet or corner bet – this refers to a bet that one of 4 numbers will make its appearance in the next round.

• Red Bet: a wager that surmises the colour of the next number to be red.

• Reds: an informal name for the red casino chips – most commonly worth $5 or £5.

• Session: a defined period that a player spends playing in one go. This can be determined by length of time or loss limit etc.

• Straight-up: a bet on the number one – an inside bet.

• Street Bet: also called trio bet – wagering that 3 selected number will come up on the next round.

• Table Layout: in roulette American or French variants can appear – these are the two sorts of table layouts.

• Wheel Chips: casino chips dedicated to roulette.

• Wheel Head: this is the area of the wheel featuring the pockets that catch the ball.

Craps Lingo and Terminology

• Big Red: seasoned craps players NEVER utter the word seven at a table – instead they refer to this number as “big red”.

• Bones: a term for die that relates to when they were often made from animal bone.

• Box Cars: informal or slang substitution for the number twelve – another common variant is “midnight”.

• Boxman: this refers to the supervisor that watches over the table. The boxman’s seat is commonly found over from the stickman and in-between the dealers.

• Box Numbers: 4/5/6/8/9/10 are the box numbers – also the place bet numbers.

• Boys: informal in-language used in place of the word dealers.

• Cold Dice: this phrase is employed when players are unsuccessful in making their point consistently.

• Come Out Roll: the initial roll that is used to determine a point.

• Crap Numbers: used in reference to the numbers: 2/3/12.

• Craps Check: wagering on any of the craps whilst the come out roll is being enacted in order to make sure a pass line bet is hedged.

• Dice: the instruments allowing play to take place.

• Don’t Come Bet: once a point is set a don’t pass wager that takes place.

• Don’t Pass Bet: this is a wager that the shooter will not establish his point.

• Double Odds: an odds wager double that of the original come bet.

• Front Line: interchangeable name for pass line wager.

• Garden: an informal or slang term for the field bet.

• George: this refers to a player that gives high tips or tokes.

• Hard Ways: this is when a wager on: 4/6/8/10 that can only be successful if the die roll as pairs – i.e. 2/2,3/3,4/4 or 5/5.

• Hi-lo: a single roll wager on two and twelve.

• Hi-lo-yo: a single roll wager on two, twelve an eleven.

• Hop Bet: a wager that the upcoming roll will end with a certain combo – for example, a four ans a five.

• Horn Bet: a wager that entails betting multiples of 4, one betting unit on each of four number with the next roll producing: two, three, eleven or twelve.

• Horn High Bet: a wager that entails betting multiples of 5 – one betting unit each made on any 3 of the horn numbers and the other 2 betting units placed on the number twelve – the “high number”.

• Inside Numbers: a wager on the numbers: 5/6/8 or 9.

• Lay Bet: a wager that specifies a seven will be rolled before the number you have chosen (2-10, 7 excepted) appears.

• Lay Odds: an extra odds wager that can be made that will be successful if an initial don’t pass bet is also successful.

• Little Joe: informal lingo used by those in the know for a hard or a pair of 2s.

• Marker: normally a disc made from plastic that shows the point – each side is labelled one “on” and one “off”.

• Natural: when, on the come out roll, a seven or 11 appear for a successful bet.

• Odds Bet: a bet made as well as the pass line wager.

• Off: phrase indicating inactivity the next time the die are cast.

• On: phrase indicating that wagers are active.

• One Roll Bet: craps wager that is successful or unsuccessful in a solitary roll.

• Pass Line Bet: a bet that the shooter will make the point, made during the come out roll.

• Place Bet: a wager on a specific number appearing before the number 7 appears.

• Point: number that is settled upon by the come out roll.

• Proposition Bet: a bet placed on a wager featuring in the middle section of the layout.

• Right Better: a player wagering on the pass line.

• Rack: the hollow in the table used for storing casino chips.

• Seven Out: phrase referring to when a seven is rolled by the shooter before they manage to make their point – hence losing their pass line bet.

• Shooter: the one at the table tossing the dice.

• Snake Eyes: informal phrase used by those in the know for the number two. Also referred to as “aces” by some.

• Stickman: so called since this is the dealer that holds the stick in order to push the dice to current shooter and who subsequently calls out the rolls.

• World Bet: a wager placed on the horn numbers (2/3/11 or 12) alongside any 7.

• Wrong Bettor: a player that is wagering against the shooter.

• Yo: informal or slang term for the number 11.

Baccarat Lingo and Terminology

• Baccarat: refers to the weakest hand possible in the game. In Italian “baccarat” means zero and the term applies to a hand worth nothing – that is 10s, Jacks, Queens or Kings.

• Banco: This word means simply the player responsible for dealing.

• Banco Prime: If multiple players are in a position to claim “banco” then the one closest to the dealer’s right-hand side may match the bet placed by the bank.

• Banker Bet: Baccarat avails players of 3 wagering options and this is one of them. It does not stand for either the house, or dealer and it pays out even. If the wager is successful, then a 5% commission charge is generally applied.

• Banque: One of the baccarat variants which appears most commonly in European casinos – American venues favour other variants. Here the table is modelled so that the banker sits centrally and therefore can play against two players at a time – one at each table.

• Caller: an employee of the casino responsible for announcing points, turning cards and dealing further cards when the third card rule applies.

• Chemin De Fer: baccarat variant also known as European baccarat. In this version of the game the card shoe is in constant motion across the layout. Here the player is responsible for dealing, accepting wagers and banking.

• Cheval: in French this word literally means “across”. The bet is considered successful if both players win their wagers and it is unsuccessful if one wins whilst the other does not – if this occurs then it is deemed a stand-off and the cheval wager remains in place.

• Cheques: players of all games like them to stand out from the others available and this term relates to the special chips used only for baccarat play.

• Commission: the portion of a bet taken by the house.

• Croupier: this means “dealer” in French.

• Dragon Bonus: an additional bet that is available to players which enables them to place a bet on how many points a player will beat another by. This wager pays out if the hand is successful as a result of hitting an 8 or a 9 (natural) or if the player wins by more than 4.

• Ladderman: refers to one of a trio of dealers necessary for a game to run.

• La Grande: translates literally as “the big one” referring to the strongest hand possible in baccarat – a natural 9.

• La Petite: translates literally as “the little one” referring to the second strongest hand possible in baccarat – a natural 8.

• Layout: the playing surface which comprises several wagering spaces allowing players to make bets on player, banker or tie. There are also designated spaces left for the hands dealt.

• Loss Bet: a wager against the bank has a bigger house edge and so this is known as a loss bet.

• Mini Baccarat: as the name suggests this is a more diminutive variant of the regular table which has space for a maximum of 7 plus an additional dealer. Normally the wagering limits are set lower which is appealing for a great number of players – so too is its quicker play rate.

• Monkey: informal terminology applied to a card worth 10 – that is a 10 card or indeed a paint card.

• Natural: refers to a hand that is worth 8 or 9 on first dealing.

• Palette: this refers to a wooden stick employed to shepherd the cards around the table.

• Pass: refers to a successful play.

• Player: this refers to one of a trio of possible wagers in baccarat – the other two being banker and tie.

• Punto Banco: a variant of baccarat – in fact one of the most popular variants – sometimes people refer to baccarat as punto banco.

• Railroad: a variant of baccarat more usually called Chemin de Fer. The French particularly took it to their hearts in the 1800s.

• Run: refers to an additional bet that permits players to wager on a number of hands.

• Shooter: this is used as an alternate word for the bank.

• Standoff: refers to the time when a round culminates in player and bank hands totalling the same value.

• Super Pan Nine: a variant of baccarat in which gamblers are each dealt a trio of cards – in this variant has the additional responsibility of taking on the role of banker.

• Table of Play: a term used to describe the rules governing whether or not a player may be eligible to claim another card.

• Tie: one of a trio of permissible wagers in baccarat – essentially it results in a push and this wager means player and banker both have their bets returned.

• Vigorish: refers to the commission retained by the casino from all winning wagers.

Keno Lingo and Terminology

• All or Nothing: this is the term used in connection with a ticket that will only be winning if every number on it comes up or if none of them do.

• Ball Game: a variant of the game which requires plastic balls to play.

• Balls: the same as bingo balls – usually plastic and always numbering one to eighty.

• Blank: a ticket that remains unused.

• Cage: a basket of wire where the balls lie.

• Call: the term used to describe the announcing of the drawn ball numbers – usually y means of an intercom.

• Caller: name assigned to the employee responsible for announcing the numbers drawn.

• Catch: if a number on a particular ticket makes an appearance during a game then it is a “catch”.

• Catch All: a variant of keno meaning that the player must successfully attain all of the numbers on their ticket to win.

• Catch Zero: a variant of keno where the player must avoid having any of the called number in order to win.

• Close: this is a set time when no further business will be accepted - just prior to the start of balls being drawn.

• Combination Ticket: when one ticket contains multiple wagers.

• Deuce: a duo of spots placed immediately together.

• Draw: a collection of 20 numbers are required to be drawn during keno play and collectively they are known as “the draw”.

• Draw Sheet: this phrase relates to a sheet provided that gives information about numbers appearing in the game before. The norm is to punch the sheet to leave a hole allowing numbers to be confirmed.

• Edge Ticket: a keno ticket displaying 32 numbers at the outside edges.

• Enhanced Payoff: a more lucrative payout since several games are played over the one ticket.

• Exacta: term used for a ticket that plays for 2 games.

• Field: an unenclosed cluster of spots.

• Flashboard: a sign used to indicate the numbers drawn – electric/digital in nature.

• Group: a cluster of spots that are enclosed and set apart from the other numbers.

• Handle: monetary haul gathered over an allocated period.

• High End Ticket: a specific type of ticket that is more rewarding of high spots than low spots caught.

• High Roller Ticket: a ticket that costs a higher premium to purchase.

• Hit: when a spot on a ticket is the same as the number drawn.

• Hold: remaining cash after all winning tickets have been remunerated.

• Inside Ticket: a ticket returned to the house fully filled out.

• Jackpot Meter: a sign that provides a visual of the jackpot amount on offer.

• Keno Board: electric display providing a record of the numbers drawn.

• Keno Balls: the same as bingo balls – there are 80 in total numbered consecutively 1-80.

• Keno Computer: the master system employed by casinos in order to keep track of all financial and play information.

• Keno Counter: area set aside for players to make bets and cash out on wins.

• Keno Lounge: location that play takes place – gamblers fill out their tickets here.

• Keno Punch: apparatus used to make the holes in the player tickets.

• Keno Writer: the casino employee responsible for collecting wagers, raising tickets and paying out successes.

• King: one enclosed number that interacts with other numbers to make a wager or way.

• King Ticket: multiple kings on a way ticket.

• Left-Right Ticket: a specific type of ticket lined down the middle - top to bottom - that to succeed must see players catch only numbers on a specified side of the line – either the left or the right.

• Mark: a spot placed on a ticket either by hand or electronically.

• Multi Game Keno Ticket: one ticket used for many games.

• Outside Ticket: the ticket returned to the player – normally computer generated and substituted for the hand filled version.

• Pattern: the form taken by the marks upon a ticket.

• Pay Any Catch Ticket: a ticket that gives out a reward no matter how many spots are filled.

• Payoff: monetary payout given to the successful gambler.

• Pay Table: the table listing how much wins pay.

• Push: when a bit and a win amount to the same.

• Quick Pick: when a player requests that the computer makes a number selection on their behalf.

• Quit Race: to end play on a multi game ticket before it would naturally be complete.

• Race: a solitary game.

• Rate: the cost of a ticket/way.

• Rate Card: a casino handout giving information on the rate of pay.

• Regular Ticket: an ordinary ticket.

• Replayed Ticket: having the house play a ticket again to check the numbers played.

• Runner: an employee who frequents the lounges in the casino in order to remunerate players and take in the completed tickets.

• Sleeper: a successful ticket that is never given in for payment.

• Split Ticket: multiple groups of numbers that appear on the one ticket but are enacted separately.

• Spot: numbers appearing on a ticket.

• Straight Ticket: an ordinary ticket.

• Stud: a variant of the game where the jackpot continues to rise until someone claims it.

• Ticket: a ticket that players use to indicate the draws – all 80 numbers are represented.

• Top-Bottom Ticket: a specific type of ticket lined across the middle - left to right - that to succeed must see players catch only numbers on a specified side of the line – the top or the bottom.

• Video Keno: an electronic version of the game.

• Way: a wager on a ticket showing more than one wager.

• Way Ticket: two or more wagers on a single ticket.

• Winning Numbers: refers to the collected numbers that create the winning combination – 20 in all.