Casino Terminology Glossary: 100+ Terms Every Player Should Know

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, knowing casino terminology is key to enjoying games, understanding strategies, and navigating both physical and online casinos.

This glossary includes traditional casino terms, online gaming concepts, and AI-powered casino features.

Casino Terminology Glossary

Learn 100+ essential casino terms.

A–D

1. Action – Total money wagered on a game or series of games.
2. Ante – A mandatory bet placed by all players before a hand begins, common in poker.
3. Ask – The price at which a dealer sells chips to a player.
4. Automatic Shuffle Machine – A machine that shuffles cards automatically in casinos to speed up gameplay.
5. Bankroll – Total funds a player sets aside for gambling.
6. Bar Symbol – A classic slot machine symbol often representing winnings.
7. Bet – A wager placed on a game or outcome.
8. Big Blind / Small Blind – Mandatory poker bets used to start the betting round.
9. Blackjack – A popular card game where players try to reach 21 without going over.
10. Baccarat – A card game where players bet on the banker, player, or tie.
11. Bonus – Extra funds, free spins, or rewards given by casinos to attract or retain players.
12. Burn Card – A card discarded from the deck before dealing, used in poker or blackjack.
13. Card Counting – A strategy in blackjack used to track high and low cards to gain an advantage.
14. Chips – Tokens representing money, used for betting at tables.
15. Coin-In – Total value of coins or credits inserted into a slot machine.

E–H

16. Edge (House Edge) – The casino’s statistical advantage over players.
17. Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) – Slot machines or video poker machines.
18. Eye in the Sky – Surveillance cameras in casinos monitoring gameplay.
19. Face Card – King, Queen, or Jack in a card deck.
20. Flush – A poker hand with all five cards of the same suit.
21. Full House – Three cards of one rank and two of another in poker.
22. Free Spins – Bonus spins on slot machines awarded through promotions or gameplay.
23. Fruit Machine – UK term for a slot machine.
24. Fun Money – Virtual currency like Gold Coins used for risk-free play.

I–M

25. Inside Bet – A roulette bet on specific numbers.
26. Jackpot – The largest possible prize, often progressive, in slots or other games.
27. Joker – A special card used in some poker games.
28. Kicker – The highest unmatched card in poker that determines the winner if hands tie.
29. Las Vegas Strip – The famous gambling hub in Nevada, USA.
30. Limit – The maximum and minimum bets allowed in a game.
31. Low Roller – A player who wagers small amounts.
32. Machine Denomination – The value of credits per slot machine spin.
33. Macau – Asia’s gambling capital, surpassing Las Vegas in revenue.
34. Multiplier – A slot machine or game feature that multiplies winnings.
35. Mobile Casino – An online casino optimized for smartphones and tablets.

N–R

36. Near Miss – A slot outcome that almost results in a win.
37. No Limit – Poker format with no maximum bet restrictions.
38. Odds – The probability of a specific outcome.
39. Online Casino – A digital platform for gambling using real or virtual currency.
40. Outside Bet – A roulette bet covering groups of numbers (e.g., red/black, odd/even).
41. Payline – The line on a slot machine that determines winning combinations.
42. Pit Boss – Staff supervising table games and dealers.
43. Progressive Jackpot – A jackpot that increases as more players bet.
44. Poker Face – Maintaining a neutral expression to hide your hand.
45. Payout / Paytable – A list of winning combinations and their payouts.

S–Z

46. RNG (Random Number Generator) – Ensures fair and random outcomes in online games.
47. Roulette – Table game where players bet on numbers, colors, or combinations.
48. Royal Flush – Highest poker hand (A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit).
49. Slot Machine – Gambling machine with spinning reels and symbols.
50. Sweeps Coins – Virtual currency in sweepstakes casinos redeemable for real cash.
51. Strategy – A planned approach to improve chances of winning.
52. Table Games – Games played on tables, like blackjack, poker, or roulette.
53. Toke / Tip – A small reward for casino staff or dealers.
54. Virtual Casino – Online platform simulating physical casino games.
55. Virtual Chips – Digital tokens used in online casinos.
56. Wild Symbol – Slot symbol substituting for others to form winning combinations.
57. Win Rate – Frequency or likelihood of winning a game.
58. Wager – The act of placing a bet.
59. Whale – High-stakes gambler.
60. AI Dealer – Automated dealer powered by artificial intelligence.
61. ChatGPT Assistance – AI guidance helping players understand rules, strategies, and gameplay.
62. Gamification – Reward systems, levels, or challenges added to online casinos.
63. House Limit – Maximum bet allowed by the casino at a table.
64. Multi-Line Slot – Slot machine with multiple paylines.
65. Skill Game – Games requiring strategy and decision-making rather than pure chance.
66. Progressive Slot – Slot with a growing jackpot linked to multiple machines.
67. Reel – Vertical section in a slot machine with symbols that spin.
68. Scatter Symbol – Slot symbol triggering bonuses or free spins regardless of payline.
69. Side Bet – Optional bet in addition to the main wager.
70. Skin – The digital interface or design of an online casino.
71. Stakes – The amount of money wagered on a game.
72. Time-Limited Bonus – Special reward available for a short period.
73. Tournament Mode – Online or in-person competitions for ranking and prizes.
74. Token – Used in place of cash in both physical and virtual casinos.
75. Trial Play – Demo or practice version of a game using Gold Coins or virtual tokens.
76. Two Pair – Poker hand with two sets of paired cards.
77. Upcard / Downcard – Cards in blackjack dealt face up or down.
78. VIP Program – Rewards program for frequent or high-stakes players.
79. Volatility (Slots) – Measurement of risk in slot machines.
80. Wild Card – Card in poker that can represent any other card.
81. Withdrawal Limit – Maximum amount a player can cash out at a time.
82. Bonus Round – Extra game feature providing free spins, multipliers, or prizes.
83. Deposit Match – Promotional offer where the casino matches deposited funds.
84. Real Money Mode – Playing with actual cash instead of virtual currency.
85. Skill-Based Slot – Slot requiring player decisions to influence outcome.
86. Interactive Gameplay – Online games allowing real-time interaction with software or other players.
87. Leaderboard – Ranking of players based on performance or winnings.
88. Return to Player (RTP) – Percentage of wagers returned to players over time.
89. Session Limit – Maximum playtime allowed, often used for responsible gambling.
90. Cash Out – Converting winnings from Sweeps Coins or real money bets to withdrawable funds.
91. Bonus Multiplier – Feature multiplying winnings in slots or table games.
92. Paytable Symbols – Symbols listed in the paytable showing potential payouts.
93. Progressive Network – Linked slots sharing the same progressive jackpot.
94. RTP Calculator – Tool to estimate expected returns based on wagers.
95. Social Casino – Online platform offering casino games for entertainment, often using virtual currency only.
96. Virtual Reality Casino – 3D immersive online casino experience using VR devices.
97. Game Lobby – Main interface in online casinos showing available games.
98. Betting Limits – Minimum and maximum wagers allowed on tables or machines.
99. Hot/Cold Machine – Slots considered “hot” for frequent wins or “cold” for fewer payouts.
100. Responsible Gambling Tools – Features like deposit limits, session timers, or self-exclusion to promote safe play.