Online Casino Glossary

Online Casino Glossary

Welcome to our comprehensive online casino glossary, your essential guide to understanding the most frequently used terms in the world of online casinos. Are you wondering what a 'wager' means, or perhaps curious about the role of an 'ante' in table games? Our dictionary provides clear explanations for these and a myriad of other terms, demystifying the language of online casinos for both beginners and seasoned players alike.

To make navigation easy, we've organized these terms into specific categories. Not sure where a particular term falls? Simply utilize your browser's search function to quickly find the information you're seeking.

General Online Casino Glossary

The world of online casinos is filled with unique terms and phrases. Here's a comprehensive list of the most common terms you'll encounter in online casinos:

Term Definition
Affiliate A person or organization that partners with a casino to promote its services, earning a commission for every player they refer.
Anonymous casino An online gambling platform that allows users to play and transact without revealing their personal identity. ETHPLAY is a prime example of this.
Balance The total amount of money you have in your account to play with.
Bankroll The total amount of money a player has set aside for gambling.
Bet The amount of money you wager on a game or a specific outcome.
Betting Limits The minimum or maximum amount a player can bet on a particular game.
Break-Even When your total winnings are equal to your total bets, resulting in no overall profit or loss.
Cash-Out Withdrawing your winnings or remaining balance from your casino account.
Casino Tournament A competitive event where players compete against each other in a specific game to win prizes.
Chasing Losses Continuously gambling to try and recover money you've lost, often leading to more losses.
Cold Streak A period where a player experiences more losses than wins.
Credit The funds available in your account for placing bets, often in the form of virtual tokens or casino chips.
Deposit Money added to an online gambling account.
Expected Value (EV) The expected return on a bet in the long run.
Fixed Jackpot A jackpot of a fixed amount.
Gambler’s Fallacy The mistaken belief that past events affect future outcomes in games of chance.
House The casino or organization offering the gambling game.
House Edge The mathematical advantage that the casino has over the players.
Instant payout The quick withdrawal of winnings from an online casino account, where the funds are transferred to the player's chosen account or digital wallet almost immediately after the withdrawal request is made. ETHPLAY provides instant payouts.
Jackpot The largest prize available in a casino game.
Know Your Customer (KYC) A process used by online casinos to verify the identity of their players. Typically involves providing personal details and documents. ETHPLAY requires no KYC.
Lobby The main menu or homepage of an online casino where you can select which games to play.
Maximum Bet (Max Bet) The highest amount that can be wagered on a single game round.
Minimum Bet (Min Bet) The minimum amount that can be bet on a single game round.
Multipliers Features that multiply winnings by a predetermined figure.
Net Winnings Your total winnings minus your initial bets.
Odds The likelihood of a particular outcome occurring.
Payout The amount paid out on a winning bet.
Pokies A term used in Australia and New Zealand for slot machines.
Progressive Jackpot A jackpot that increases each time the game is played but not won.
Provably Fair A system in online gambling that allows you to verify each game's fairness and outcome.
Random Number Generator (RNG) A computer algorithm that ensures fair play by generating random game outcomes.
Return to Player (RTP) The percentage of all the wagered money a game will pay back to players over time.
Scared Money Gambling with money that you can't afford to lose.
Stake See Bet.
Tilt Playing recklessly after a bad loss or a series of losses.
Unit A standard measure of the size of your bet, usually based on a percentage of your bankroll.
Variance The measure of how spread out results are in a game.
Volatility The risk factor associated with a casino game.
Wager See Bet.
Wager Requirements Conditions attached to a deposited amount or bonus that specify how much you need to bet before you can withdraw winnings.
Withdrawal Taking money out of an online gambling account.

Varieties of Online Casino Games Explained

The online casino landscape is vast and varied, with games to suit every taste. Here's a rundown of the different types of online casino games available:

Term Definition
Andar Bahar A traditional Indian betting game where the player bets on which side a matching card will appear.
Baccarat A card game where players bet on which of two hands (Player or Banker) will have a total closest to 9.
Bingo Players match numbers on a card with those called out, aiming to create specific patterns.
Blackjack A card game where players try to get as close to 21 without going over, while beating the dealer's hand.
Craps A dice game where players bet on the outcomes of the roll, or a series of rolls, of a pair of dice.
Dragon Tiger An Asian casino game similar to Baccarat, where two cards are drawn, and players bet on which will be higher.
High-Low A game where players bet on whether the next card drawn will be higher or lower than the previous one.
Instant Win Games Online games that offer immediate results and prizes, similar to scratch-off lottery tickets, but much more varied in gameplay.
Keno A lottery-like game where players choose numbers and hope they match randomly drawn ones.
Live Dealer Games Real-time casino games streamed with live dealers for games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat.
Live Game Shows Interactive online games, featuring live hosts and real-time player participation.
Lotto Online versions of the classic lottery draw game.
Online Casino Games Digital versions of traditional casino games like slots, blackjack, and roulette, playable on the Internet.
Plinko A game of chance where players drop a ball down a pegged board to win prizes based on where it lands.
Poker Various forms of the classic card game, including Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and more.
Pontoon A British version of Blackjack with different rules and terms.
Red Dog A simple card game where players bet on whether the value of a third card will fall between two initial cards.
Roulette A game where a ball is dropped on a spinning wheel, and players bet on where it will land.
Scratch Cards Digital versions of lottery scratch cards where players reveal symbols to win prizes.
Sic Bo An ancient Chinese dice game where players bet on various possible dice roll outcomes.
Slots A variety of themed digital slot machines with different paylines and bonus features.
Video Poker A digital version of five-card draw poker with various game variations.
War A game based on the childhood game where the highest card wins, and ties lead to 'war'.
Wheel of Fortune A game of luck where players bet on the outcome of a large spinning wheel.

Player Profiles: Types of Online Casino Players

Online casinos attract a variety of player types, each with their own style and approach. Understand the different types of online casino players through these profiles:

Term Definition
Bonus Hunter Looks for casinos offering the best bonuses and promotional offers.
Casual Player Plays for fun and entertainment, not overly concerned with winning or losing.
Compulsive Gambler Struggles with gambling addiction and often plays uncontrollably.
Degenerate Gambler A term used to describe a gambler who exhibits compulsive gambling behaviors, often gambling excessively without control over their betting.
High Roller A player known for gambling large amounts of money.
Low Roller A player who gambles with small amounts of money, preferring low stakes games and minimal financial risk.
Shill An individual employed by a casino or a game organizer to play with the appearance of a genuine player, often to stimulate action in games or create an exciting atmosphere.
Streamer Streams their gameplay online and may interact with an audience. Most streamers are also shills.
VIP Enjoys the perks of being a high-tier player in loyalty programs.

Understanding Online Casino Bonuses: Key Terms

Navigating the world of online casino bonuses can be complex. Here are the key terms to help you understand online casino bonuses better:
Term Definition
Birthday Bonus A bonus given to players on their birthday.
Bonus Incentives offered by casinos to players, like free plays or extra money.
Bonus Balance The part of a player's balance that consists of bonuses.
Bonus Code A code used to activate a bonus.
Bonus Hunting The act of taking advantage of casino bonuses to make a profit.
Bonus Whoring See Bonus Hunting.
Cash Bonus A type of casino promotion where players receive an additional amount of money added to their account.
Cashback A bonus that gives players back a portion of their losses.
Comp Points Points earned by playing games, which can sometimes be converted into cash or other bonuses.
Deposit Bonus A bonus awarded after a player makes a deposit.
Exclusive Bonus Special bonuses offered through specific sites or to a specific group of players.
Free Bet A promotional offer that allows a player to place a bet without risking their own money, typically with winnings paid out minus the free bet amount.
Free Spins Complimentary spins on slot games, often part of a bonus offer.
Game Weighting Different casino games contribute differently to meeting the wagering requirements.
High Roller Bonus Special bonuses offered to players who make large deposits.
Loyalty Bonus A bonus awarded to players who have been with the casino for a certain time or have reached a specific level in the loyalty program.
Match Bonus A bonus where the casino matches the player's deposit to a certain percentage.
Max Bet Rule A condition in bonus terms that limits the maximum bet a player can make while playing with bonus money.
Max Cashout The maximum amount a player can withdraw from the winnings earned through a bonus.
No Deposit Bonus A bonus that doesn't require players to make a deposit.
Non-Sticky Bonus A bonus where the original deposit and winnings can be withdrawn anytime, but the bonus amount itself cannot.
Package Bonus A series of bonuses offered as a package deal.
Post-Wager Bonus A bonus given after a player has met the wagering requirements.
Pre-Wager Bonus A bonus that must be used to meet wagering requirements before any winnings can be withdrawn.
Real Money Balance The part of a player's balance that can be withdrawn at any time.
Referral Bonus A bonus received for referring a new player to the casino.
Reload Bonus A bonus given to existing players when they reload their account with more funds.
Sticky Bonus A bonus that can be used to place bets but cannot be withdrawn before meeting the wagering requirements.
Tiered Bonus A bonus structure where different levels of deposits receive different bonuses.
Time Limit A set period within which a player must use the bonus and meet the wagering requirements.
VIP Bonus Exclusive bonuses for members of a casino's VIP club.
Wagering Requirement The amount a player needs to bet to release their bonus winnings into their main account.
Welcome Bonus A bonus offered to new players when they sign up at an online casino.

Online Casino Strategy and Tactics Glossary

Mastering online casino games often involves knowing the right strategies and tactics. Below are key terms related to strategies used in online casino gaming:

Term Definition
Bankroll Management Managing your gambling funds effectively to minimize losses and maximize playtime.
Basic Strategy A set of rules that offer the best statistical chance of winning in games like blackjack.
Betting Systems Strategies used to determine the size of a player's bets.
Camouflage Betting Disguising your playing strategy to avoid detection, especially in card counting.
D'Alembert System A betting strategy where one unit is added to the bet after a loss, and one unit subtracted after a win.
Fibonacci System A betting system that follows the Fibonacci sequence for bet progression.
Flat Betting Betting the same amount on each hand or spin.
Hi-Lo Strategy A card counting system where cards are assigned a value of high, low, or neutral.
Kelly Criterion A formula used to determine the optimal size of a series of bets.
Labouchere System A betting strategy that involves adjusting bets based on previous results.
Martingale System A betting strategy of doubling the bet after each loss in games like roulette.
Money Management Another term for managing your gambling funds effectively.
Optimal Play The best possible way to play a hand in games like blackjack and video poker.
Paroli System Doubling your bet after a win and returning to your initial bet after a loss.
Progressive Betting Increasing or decreasing bet sizes based on the outcome of the game.
True Count In card counting, the running count adjusted for the number of decks remaining.

Slot Machine Terminology

Online slots, with their rich variety and features, have a unique vocabulary. Here are the most popular terms related to online slots:

Term Definition
3D Slots Slot games featuring three-dimensional graphics.
Auto Play A feature that allows players to set a certain number of automatic spins.
Best Slots Slots highly rated for their gameplay, features, and overall user experience.
Bet Level The number of coins bet per line.
Bonus Buy Allows players to purchase direct access to the slot's bonus features or rounds.
Bonus Round An extra round within a slot game that offers additional chances to win.
Bonus Symbols Symbols that trigger bonus rounds or special features.
Branded Slots Slots based on popular movies, TV shows, music, or other popular culture.
Cascading Reels A feature where winning symbols disappear and are replaced by new ones, potentially forming new wins.
Classic Slots Traditional slot games that typically feature three reels and fewer paylines.
Cluster Pays Wins are achieved by forming clusters of symbols.
Coin Size The size of the bet per line.
Coins Units used in slot games to represent the amount bet per line.
Cold Slot A term used for slot machines that are perceived to not have paid out in a while, often considered unlikely to offer immediate wins.
Collapsing Reels See Cascading Reels
Expanding Wilds Wild symbols that expand to cover an entire reel.
Free Slots Slot games that can be played for free, often used for practice or casual gaming without real money bets.
Free Spins Rounds that players can play without placing additional bets.
Fruit Machine A term for classic slot machines, often used in the UK.
Gamble Feature A feature offering a chance to double winnings by, for example, guessing the color of a card.
Hit and Run Playing a slot machine for a short time in hope of a quick win.
Hit Frequency How often the slot game hits a winning combination.
Hold Feature Allows the player to hold certain reels in place for the next spin.
Hot Slot Refers to a slot machine that is believed to be on a winning streak or paying out more frequently than usual.
Low Volatility Slots Slot games that offer more frequent but smaller wins, ideal for players preferring a steady play.
High Volatility Slots Slots where wins are less frequent but potentially larger, suited for players seeking big payouts.
Max Win The maximum amount that can be won in a slot game.
Megaways A slot format offering a high number of ways to win, often measured in tens of thousands, changing with each spin.
Mobile Slots Slot games that are designed to be played on mobile devices, offering the same gameplay as desktop slots but optimized for smaller screens.
New Slots The latest slot games introduced to the market, featuring modern graphics and innovative features.
Nudge Feature A feature that allows a reel to be moved slightly to create a winning combination.
Paylines Lines in a slot machine where symbols must line up to win.
Paytable A table showing the pay rates for various winning combinations in a slot game.
Popular Slots Slots that are most frequently played and enjoyed by a large number of players.
Penny Slots Slot machines that can be played for as little as one penny per line.
Progressive Slot A type of slot machine where the jackpot increases incrementally as players make bets, often linked across multiple machines or casinos.
Reels Vertical lines on the slot where symbols are located; they spin when a bet is placed.
Respin Feature A feature that offers an additional spin as a bonus.
Scatter Symbol A symbol that triggers bonuses and/or awards a cash payout when appearing in a certain number, regardless of its position on the reels.
Stacked Symbols Symbols that can appear stacked on the reels, covering more than one position.
Sticky Wilds Wild symbols that remain in place for subsequent spins.
Video Slots More advanced slots with high-quality graphics, usually with five reels or more.
Ways to Win Slot games without traditional paylines, offering numerous ways to win on a spin. Most prominently featured in Megaways and 243-ways to win slots.
Wild Symbols Special symbols in slot games that can substitute for other symbols to create winning combinations, similar to a wild card in card games.
Win Both Ways Paylines that pay for combinations formed from left to right and right to left.

Casino Table Games Terminology

Casino table games, from roulette to blackjack, have a rich vocabulary. Here are essential terms to understand the world of casino table games:

Term Definition
Ante Bet which is required before starting a hand or round in certain table games.
Banker Banker is an alternative term used for house or dealer.
Bones Classic term for dice.
Burn Card The top three to six cards that are discarded after shuffling.
Chips the medium of exchange when playing casino games
Clear An action that cancels all bets previously placed on the table and returns all chips to the players.
Cold Table When the players who are betting right are losing frequently.
Croupier Croupier is a French word that is used for the casino dealers.
Cut Card A plastic card used to cut the deck after shuffling.
Deal The distribution of cards to players by the dealer at the beginning of a round.
Dealer The casino employee who deals the cards, manages the bets, and runs the game at the table.
Deck A standard set of 52 playing cards used in most casino games.
Deuce Slang for a card with a value of two.
Discard Tray The tray where used cards are placed.
Even Money Bet A bet that pays 1:1.
Face Cards Jacks, Queens, and Kings.
Hand The cards that a player holds, or the combination of cards held in a table game.
Hot Table A term often used in gambling to describe a table where players are winning frequently.
Layout The arrangement or set-up of a gaming table, including where players place their bets and where cards or chips are placed.
Multi-Hand Games Games that allow players to play more than one hand at a time, often seen in video poker and online blackjack games.
Push A tie between the player and dealer where no money is won or lost.
Shoe A box holding multiple decks of cards, used to deal cards in games like blackjack.
Side Bet A bet made on various outcomes other than the main bets.
Squeeze Gradually revealing the value of a card.
Table Limit The minimum and maximum bets that a player can make at a gaming table.

Baccarat Terms and Definitions

Baccarat, a game of elegance and simplicity, has its unique language. Discover the key terms used in the game of Baccarat:

Term Definition
Baccarat en Banque Another European variant of Baccarat.
Banco Another term for the banker in the game.
Banker Bet Betting on the banker’s hand to win.
Chemin de Fer A variation of Baccarat, popular in Europe.
Commission A percentage taken by the casino on winning banker bets.
Coup A French term for a round of Baccarat.
Le Grande A French term for a natural score of 9.
Le Petit A French term for a natural score of 8.
Mini-Baccarat A smaller, faster version of Baccarat.
Natural A two-card total of 8 or 9, which usually determines an automatic win.
Panda 8 A side bet that the player will win with a total of eight.
Player Bet Betting on the player’s hand to win.
Punto Another term for the player in the game.
Punto Banco The most common form of Baccarat played worldwide.
Standoff Another term for a tie in Baccarat.
Tie Bet A bet that the player and banker hands will tie. The usual payout for a Tie bet is 8:1, but it can sometimes be as high as 9:1.

Blackjack Terms and Definitions

Blackjack, a staple at casinos, is rich in specific terminology. Here are the crucial terms every blackjack player should know:

Term Definition
Bet Behind Allows players to place bets on the hand of another player at the table.
Blackjack The best hand in the game, consisting of an Ace and a 10-point card.
Bust To exceed a total of 21, resulting in an immediate loss.
Card Counting A strategy to determine whether the next hand is likely to give a probable advantage to the player or the dealer.
Double Down Doubling your bet in exchange for one more card.
Even Money Taking a 1:1 payout on a blackjack when the dealer shows an ace.
Five Card Charlie A hand that consists of five cards and does not go over 21 points in total, resulting in an automatic win, regardless of the dealer's hand. However, this rule is not commonly found in standard Blackjack games.
Hard Hand A hand that does not contain an ace or where the ace is valued as 1.
Hit To take another card.
Hole Card The dealer's face-down card.
Insurance Bet A side bet in blackjack available when the dealer's upcard is an ace.
Monkey Slang for a face card or a ten.
Natural See Blackjack.
Perfect Pairs A side bet on getting a pair with the first two cards.
Push A tie between the player and dealer; the player's bet is returned.
Soft Hand A hand containing an ace valued as 11.
Split Dividing a pair into two separate hands.
Stand To stop taking more cards.
Surrender Giving up half your bet to forfeit a hand.
Twenty-One The original name of the game of Blackjack.
Up Card The dealer's first card, placed face up.
21 See Blackjack.

Roulette Terminology Guide

Roulette, a classic casino game, is steeped in its own jargon. Familiarize yourself with these essential roulette terms:

Term Definition
American Roulette A version of roulette with both a single zero and a double zero, increasing the house edge to 5.26%.
Ball The small object that spins around the wheel and lands in a pocket to determine the winning number.
Cold Number A number that hasn't won in a long time.
Column Bet A bet on one of the three vertical columns of numbers.
Corner Bet A bet on four numbers that form a square on the layout.
Dozen Bet A bet on a group of 12 numbers (1-12, 13-24, or 25-36).
En Plein A rule in some versions of European roulette where even-money bets are "imprisoned" if the ball lands on zero, giving the player a chance to recover their bet on the next spin.
European Roulette A version of roulette with a single zero and a house edge of 2.7%.
Final Bet A bet on all numbers that end in a specific digit, like 11-21-31.
Five Number Bet A bet on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3 in American roulette.
Full Complete A bet that covers all inside bets for a specific number.
High or Low A bet that the winning number will be low (1-18) or high (19-36).
Hot Number A number that has been winning more frequently than randomness would dictate.
Inside Bets Bets placed on the numbers themselves.
La Partage Rule A rule similar to En Prison, where players lose only half their even-money bet if the ball lands on zero.
Line Bet A bet on six numbers in two adjacent rows.
Neighbors A bet on a number and the numbers directly adjacent to it on the roulette wheel.
Odd or Even A bet that the winning number will be either odd or even.
Orphelins A bet on numbers not covered by the other called bets.
Outside Bets Bets placed on options outside the main grid of numbers, like red/black or odd/even.
Racetrack A special betting area for placing neighbor bets and section bets.
Red or Black A bet that the ball will land on either a red or black number.
Roulette Wheel The wheel on which the ball is spun to determine the winning number.
Split Bet A bet on two adjacent numbers.
Square Bet See Corner Bet.
Straight Bet A bet on a single number.
Street Bet A bet on three numbers in a horizontal line.
Tiers du Cylindre A bet on a specific group of numbers on a section of the roulette wheel.
Voisins du Zero A bet covering a large series of numbers surrounding the zero.
Zero The green number(s) on the wheel, 0 and possibly 00 in American roulette, that are neither red nor black.
Zero Spiel A bet on the numbers closest to zero on the wheel.

Organizations and Regulators

Online gambling is not just about games and players; it's also governed and shaped by various organizations and regulatory bodies. Let's take a closer look at the key organizations and regulators that play a crucial role in overseeing the online casino industry:

Organization Function Website
Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) - Italy Responsible for regulating gambling activities in Italy, including online betting and gaming. https://www.adm.gov.it/
Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) Regulates online gambling on behalf of the States of Alderney. https://www.gamblingcontrol.org/
Asensi Technologies Specializes in technical certifications and audits in the gaming sector. https://tech.asensi.es
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Enforces online gambling regulations in Australia. https://www.acma.gov.au
Autorité de régulation des jeux en ligne (ARJEL) in France Now part of the larger national gambling authority, it focuses on online gambling regulation. https://www.anj.fr
Belgian Gaming Commission Regulates all forms of gambling in Belgium, including online gambling. https://www.gamingcommission.be
BMM Testlabs One of the oldest and most experienced private independent gaming testing laboratories in the world. https://bmm.com
Curacao eGaming One of the oldest and most politically stable providers of regulated eGaming services. https://www.curacao-egaming.com
Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden) Oversees gambling in Denmark. https://www.spillemyndigheden.dk/
Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) Manages the regulation of online gambling in Spain. https://www.ordenacionjuego.es/
eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) An international testing agency that ensures player protection and fair gaming. https://ecogra.org/
European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) An organization that represents leading online gaming and betting operators in the EU. https://www.egba.eu/
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) While not specifically for gambling, it plays a role in setting standards for combating money laundering and terrorist financing which affects the online gambling sector. https://www.fatf-gafi.org/
GambleAware Provides information to help people make informed decisions about their gambling, promoting responsible gambling. https://www.begambleaware.org/
Gamblers Anonymous A fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do something about their own gambling problem and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same. https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/
GamCare Offers support, information, and advice to anyone suffering through a gambling problem in the UK. https://www.gamcare.org.uk/
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) Provides testing, certification, and professional services to the global gaming industry. https://gaminglabs.com/
Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner Oversees online gaming in Gibraltar. https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/finance-gaming-and-regulations/remote-gambling
Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission Regulates various forms of gambling, including online, in the Isle of Man. https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/statutory-boards/gambling-supervision-commission/
iTech Labs Specializes in testing and certification of online gaming systems. https://itechlabs.com/
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) Responsible for the governance of all gaming activities in Malta, both online and land-based. https://www.mga.org.mt/
Nevada Gaming Control Board Regulates gaming in Nevada, including online gambling. https://gaming.nv.gov/
North American Gaming Regulators Association (NAGRA) A body of regulators from various jurisdictions in North America, promoting sound gaming regulations and enforcement. https://nagra.org/
Norwegian Gaming Authority (Lottstift) Oversees gambling activities in Norway. https://lottstift.no/
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) Regulates online gambling activities in Ontario, Canada. https://www.olg.ca/
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) Regulates gaming, including online gambling, in Pennsylvania, USA. https://gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov/
QALab Specializes in testing and quality assurance for gaming and betting platforms. https://www.qalab.com.au/
Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) Regulates the gambling market in Sweden. https://www.spelinspektionen.se/
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) Advocates for responsible gaming and provides support for problem gambling in the USA. https://www.ncpgambling.org/
United Kingdom Gambling Commission Regulates gambling in Great Britain. https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/
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