If you’re new to casinos or trying out a new game, all the terms and jargon can feel confusing. That’s where our Ultimate Gambling Glossary comes in.
It’s your go-to guide to learn casino phrases, gambling slang, definitions, and even online chat abbreviations used in the gambling world.
We update the glossary so you can check back and find a clear explanation whenever you encounter a term you don’t know.
ABC Poker
A simple and predictable way of playing poker.
Accumulator
Same as a Parlay bet.
Aces
A bet that the next roll in craps will be a 2.
Across the Board
A way to bet on a horse to win, place, and show.
Action (Casino)
The total amount of money being wagered at the casino or the play happening. It’s also what a dealer says when it’s your turn to act.
Action (Casino)
The total amount of money being wagered at the casino or the play happening. It’s also what a dealer says when it’s your turn to act.
Action (Sports Betting)
A baseball bet without a specified pitcher. It also refers to how many bets are placed on a particular event.
Ada from Decatur
A hard 8 in craps, sometimes called “Eighter from Decatur” or “Square Pair.
Add-On
The chance for players to buy more chips during a poker tournament at a set point.
Admission Packet (Bingo)
The minimum number of bingo cards you buy.
Against the Spread (ATS)
A term used in sports betting that considers the point spread. It can also mean betting on a team with or without a point spread.
Aggregate Limit
The maximum amount a casino can pay in one round. If the limit is reached, players may get less than expected.
Aggressive
A poker player who often raises the bet.
All or Nothing (Bingo)
A bingo ticket only pays out if all or none of the selected numbers are drawn.
All-In
A poker move where players bet all their remaining chips.
American Roulette
A roulette version with a wheel with 38 pockets, including a double zero (‘00’).
Anchor (Blackjack)
The player who sits at the third base position, also called “Third Base.”
Annuity (Lottery)
A way of paying out a lottery jackpot in installments over a long period.
Ante
Players must make a required bet before being dealt cards in poker.
Ante Post (Sports Betting)
Same as a Futures bet.
Any Craps
A bet in craps that the next roll will be a 2, 3, or 12.
Any Double
A bet that two of the three dice will show the same number in craps without specifying what number.
Any Seven
A bet in craps that the next roll will be a 7.
Any Triple
A bet in craps that all three dice will show the same number without specifying which number.
Arbitrage
A betting strategy where you back both sides of an event using different odds to guarantee a win.
Baccarat
A card game where players bet on whether the player or dealer will have the winning hand. Winning hands are the ones closest to a total of 9. Face cards and 10s have no value.
Back Door
A hand made using the last two cards dealt.
Back Hand
The first five-card hand must be the strongest of the player’s three hands.
Back Line
Same as the Don't Pass Line in craps.
Backed
A team on which a lot of bets have been placed.
Bad Beat
Losing a hand that was expected to win.
Banco (Baccarat)
Refers to the “House” or the “Bank” and the bet placed on the bank winning.
Banco (Roulette)
Placing all of your money on one bet.
Banker
The person betting against all the players. The banker usually rotates every turn or so.
Bankroll
The amount of money available to play casino games.
Barrel
To bet in multiple rounds of a poker game.
bb
Short for Big Blind or bad beat.
Beard
A person who bets on someone else, hiding their identity.
Beginners' Luck
When a new player wins many games in a row.
Behind
When you have a hand that is less likely to win against your opponent’s hand.
Bet
A wager placed during a game.
Betting Limit
The minimum and maximum amounts you can bet.
Betting Right (Craps)
Betting with the shooter.
Betting Table (Craps)
The place where players place their bets in craps.
Betting Wrong (Craps)
Betting against the shooter.
Big 6 (Craps)
Betting that a 6 will be rolled before a 7.
Big 8 (Craps)
Betting that an 8 will be rolled before a 7.
Big Bet (Sic Bo)
A bet that the sum of the three dice will be between 11 and 17, with a payout of 1:1.
Big Bet (Sic Bo)
In fixed-limit games, it’s when you double the initial betting limit.
Big Blind (Poker)
A forced bet placed by the player to the dealer's left, usually double the Small Blind.
Big Blind Special
When the Big Blind wins because no other player entered the pot.
Big Red (Craps)
Betting on the number 7 in craps.
Bingo
The game where you match numbers on a card to a random drawing. The first person to match a designated pattern wins.
Bingo (Casino)
Players match numbers drawn to win.
Bingo Board
The display shows the numbers as they are called out.
Bingo Book
A set of bingo cards used in a session.
Bingo Card
A 5x5 grid with randomly numbered spaces used in bingo.
Blackjack
A hand in blackjack where the total equals 21 with the first two cards.
Blackout (Bingo)
A bingo pattern where the entire card must be matched to win.
Blank (Poker)
A community card that doesn’t improve any hand.
Blind (Poker)
A forced bet placed before seeing the hand.
Blind Bet (Poker)
A bet made without knowing the next card.
Blocker (Poker)
A card in your hand that stops another player from having a strong hand.
Bluff (Poker)
Pretending to have a stronger hand than you do to deceive other players.
Bluff Catcher (Poker)
A hand that can only win against a bluff.
Board (Poker)
The community cards are shared by all players in a game.
Boat (Poker)
Another name for a Full House.
Bones (Casino)
A classic term for dice.
Bonus (Casino)
Casinos provide special offers to encourage players to sign up or keep playing.
Bonus Ball (Lottery)
An extra lottery number that can help win additional prizes.
Bonus Hunting/Bonus Whoring (Casino)
Trying to take advantage of a casino’s bonuses with minimal play to build up a big bankroll before cashing out.
Bonus Round (Slots)
A special game in slots triggered by specific symbol combinations, often offering free spins or extra rewards.
Book (Gambling)
A place where you can place bets on sporting events.
Bookmaker/Bookie (Gambling)
A person who accepts bets on sports.
Bottom Pair (Poker)
A pair made using the lowest card on the board.
Boxcars (Craps)
Rolling two 6s in craps.
Break (Blackjack)
Another term for busting where the hand exceeds 21.
Brick (Poker)
A card that doesn’t improve anyone’s hand.
Bring In (Poker)
The first bet made in the first round of a hand.
Broadway (Poker)
A hand that contains an ace-high straight.
Buffalo (Craps)
Betting on all the hard ways and Any Seven.
Bug (Poker)
The joker card is often used as a semi-wild card in games like Pai Gow.
Bump (Poker)
To raise the bet.
Buried Pair (Poker)
A pair made from stud poker's first two hidden cards.
Burn Card (Poker)
A card discarded instead of being dealt.
Bust (Blackjack)
A hand that exceeds 21, causing the player to lose.
Button (Blackjack)
The position at the table determines who acts last and is the blackjack dealer.
Buy-In (Poker)
The money to enter a poker game or tournament.
Cage (Craps term)
A container used to shake the dice before rolling.
Call (Poker term)
To match the current bet.
Calling Station (Poker term)
A player who always calls bets.
Canadian Line (Sports betting term)
A mix of point spread and money line, often used in hockey betting.
Cap (Gambling term)
The limit on the number of raises allowed during a betting round.
Capping a Bet (Blackjack term)
Secretly adding extra chips to your wager after the deal starts.
Card Shark (Poker term)
A skilled, often deceptive poker player.
Caribbean Stud (Poker term)
A poker variant played against the house, similar to five-card stud.
Carte (Blackjack term)
French term for asking for another card.
Cash Bonus (Casino term)
Free money offered to new players who make their first deposit, often matching the deposit amount.
Cashback (Casino term)
A percentage of a player's losses refunded to their account periodically.
Casino (Casino term)
A place for gambling, originally a venue for music and dancing.
Casino Advantage (Casino term)
Also called house edge, the casino's built-in advantage over players.
Catch (Keno term)
When a drawn number matches one on a player's keno card.
Chalk (Sports betting term)
The favored team, athlete, or horse.
Chalk Player (Sports betting term)
A bettor who always wagers on the favored teams.
Chase (Gambling term)
When a player continues betting after losses to win back their money.
Chat Room (Casino term)
A private space where players can send messages to others in real-time.
Check (Poker term)
To stay in hand without betting, but with the option to bet later.
Check in the Dark (Poker term)
Check without looking at your cards.
Check Raise (Poker term)
A player checks and then raises after an opponent bets.
Checked Around (Poker term)
When all players check during a round.
Chemin De Fer (Chemin De Fer term)
A baccarat-like game played in France, where players take turns being the bank.
Chinese Poker (Poker term)
A variant where players form three hands from 13 cards and compare them to opponents' hands.
Chip and a Chair (Poker term)
A player with only one chip can still win the tournament.
Chips (Casino term)
Colored discs used as money in casinos. Online casinos also use chips to represent stakes.
Chop (Poker term)
To divide a pot among players still in the hand or tournament.
Chop the Blinds (Poker term)
When only the small and big blinds remain in hand, they agree to return their blinds and end the hand.
Choppy Game (Poker term)
A game where the result alternates between wins and losses for players and the house.
Chuck-a-Luck (Sic Bo term)
A Sic Bo variant called Birdcage or Grand Hazard.
Circled Game (Sports betting term)
A game with a limited maximum bet, often due to injuries or weather.
Clear (Poker term)
To cancel all bets on the table and return chips to players.
Closed (Keno term)
The time just before keno balls are drawn when no more bets can be placed.
Closing Line (Sports betting term)
The final odds and point spreads offered before a game starts.
Cold (Slots term)
A slot machine that’s not paying out much.
Cold Call (Poker term)
Calling a bet after a raise.
Cold Table (Gambling term)
A table where players frequently lose.
Color Up (Casino term)
Exchanging smaller value chips for larger ones.
Column Bet (Roulette term)
A bet on one of roulette's three columns of 12 numbers.
Combination Bet (Horse betting term)
Betting on multiple teams or horses to finish first and second, in any order.
Combination Bet (Sic Bo term)
A bet that predicts two of the three dice will match two specified numbers.
Combination Ticket (Keno term)
A keno card where a player selects multiple groups of numbers and how they should combine.
Combo Draw (Poker term)
A hand with multiple possible drawing hands.
Come Bet (Craps term)
A bet for the shooter to win.
Come-Out (Craps term)
The first roll of the dice in craps.
Commission (Baccarat term)
A fee added to a Banco bet.
Commission (Casino term)
A fee is taken by the casino from winnings to make a profit.
Community Cards (Poker term)
Cards dealt face-up for all players to use in a hand.
Comp Points (Casino term)
Reward points earned in a casino loyalty program can be exchanged for prizes or cash.
Complete (Poker term)
A bet made after the bring-in equals the lowest betting limit in stud games.
Connectors (Poker term)
Cards of consecutive rank.
Continuation Bet (Poker term)
A bet made on the flop by the player who raised pre-flop.
Coordinated (Poker term)
A board with connected or suited cards called "wet."
Copy (Poker term)
When the player and the banker have the same hand in baccarat, the banker wins.
Corner Bet (Roulette term)
A bet on four numbers by placing chips on the corner where the numbers meet.
Counterfeit (Poker term)
When a hand becomes weaker because community cards improve an opponent's hand.
Coup (Poker term)
A round of play in poker.
Crack (Poker term)
To beat a very strong hand.
Craps (Craps term)
The game where two dice are rolled to predict the outcome of the roll. Also refers to the numbers 2, 3, or 12 in the game.
Credit (Casino term)
In online casinos, credits are used to place bets, with one credit usually equal to one unit of the player's currency.
Credit Button (Casino term)
A button to bank money in credits.
Croupier (Roulette term)
The dealer who operates the roulette wheel and handles bets.
Cut (Blackjack term)
After shuffling, divide the deck into two parts, placing the bottom part on top.
Cut Off (Poker term)
The position to the right of the dealer button.
Cycle (Video poker term)
The number of hands played on average between top payouts in video poker machines.
d'Alembert (Roulette term)
A betting strategy where you double your bet after a loss to recover losses. Named after mathematician Jean de Rond d'Alembert.
Dead Heat (Horse betting term)
When two or more horses tie for the same position.
Deal (Poker term)
To give out the cards to players.
Dealer (Casino term)
The casino worker who deals cards and manages the game.
Deposit (Casino term)
Money a player puts into their online casino account to play for real money.
Deposit Bonus (Casino term)
A bonus given to players when they make their first deposit, often matching the amount deposited.
Deuce (Poker term)
A two-card, often used to refer to the 2 of any suit.
Dime (Sports betting term)
A $1,000 bet.
Dime Line (Sports betting term)
A betting line where the juice (commission) is 10%.
Dog (Sports betting term)
Short for "underdog," the team or player expected to lose.
Dog Player (Sports betting term)
A bettor who usually bets on the underdog.
Dollar (Sports betting term)
A $100 bet.
Dolly (Roulette term)
A doll-shaped marker is placed on the winning number to show which number won.
Dominate (Poker term)
A stronger hand that beats another player's hand.
Don't Come (Craps term)
A bet for the shooter to lose.
Don't Pass Line (Craps term)
A bet for the shooter to lose.
Door Card (Poker term)
The first visible card in a stud hand or the first revealed card in the flop.
Double (Craps term)
A bet on a number from 1 to 6, where two dice must show the chosen number to win.
Double Down (Blackjack term)
To double your bet and receive one more card.
Double for Less (Blackjack term)
Doubling down with a bet less than double the original wager.
Double or Nothing (Blackjack term)
A bet that returns the same amount as the original.
Down Card (Blackjack term)
A card dealt face down.
Down to the Felt (Gambling term)
When a player has no money left.
Dozen Bet (Roulette term)
A bet on one of three groups of twelve numbers in roulette.
Dragon Hand (Poker term)
When a hand is dealt to an empty seat.
Draw (Blackjack term)
Another term for hitting or receiving an additional card.
Draw (Keno term)
The 20 keno balls are drawn to determine winning numbers.
Draw (Lottery term)
The results of a lottery game.
Draw (Poker term)
When a player needs specific cards to complete a hand, like needing one more heart for a flush.
Draw Poker (Poker term)
A poker variant where players can discard and replace cards.
Drawing Dead (Poker term)
When no cards are left, it can help a player win.
Drawing Thin (Poker term)
When a player has very few cards left that can improve their hand.
Drop (Blackjack term)
Another term for folding or giving up on the hand.
Drop Percentage (Casino term)
The portion of a player's cash that the casino keeps due to the house edge.
Dry (Poker term)
A board with no connected or suited cards, often called "ragged."
Duo (Craps term)
A bet that two specific numbers will show on two of the three dice.
Duo (Sic Bo term)
A bet in Sic Bo, predicting that two specific numbers will appear on the dice
Easy (Craps term)
A number combination made by rolling dice with different values, like an "easy 6" (2 and 4, or 5 and 1).
Easy Way (Craps term)
A dice roll of 4, 6, 8, or 10.
eCOGRA (Casino term)
An independent agency that audits online casinos to ensure fairness and proper operating standards.
Edge (Gambling term)
Having an advantage over an opponent.Eighty-Sixed (86'd) (Casino term): Being banned from a casino for misbehavior or cheating.
En Prison (Roulette term)
A rule that gives players a second chance after an even-money bet loses to a 0 or 00. The bet stays on the table for the next spin.
Encryption (Casino term)
A method of securing online transactions and casino software using complex codes that are hard to break.
Equity (Poker term)
The expected portion of the pot a player will win based on their odds of having the winning hand.
European Roulette (Roulette term)
A roulette variant with a wheel containing 37 pockets without a double zero.
Even (Craps term)
A bet that the total of the three dice will be an even number.
Even-Money Bet (Gambling term)
A bet that pays back the same amount as the wager.
Exotic (Horse betting term)
Any bet other than a straight bet or parlay, also called a prop or proposition bet.
Expectation (Gambling term)
The average amount a player can expect to win or lose based on the odds of a given hand.
Exposure (Sports betting term)
The maximum amount of money a sportsbook could lose on a game.
Eye-in-the-Sky (Casino term)
The surveillance cameras in a casino that monitor the games and ensure security
Face (Bingo)
A single bingo card.
Face Card (Poker)
A card with a picture: Jack, Queen, or King.
Favorite (Sports Betting)
The team expected to win.
Ficheur (Roulette)
A tool in American Roulette that sorts chips by color, making it easier to give each player their own color.
Fifth Street (Poker)
The third round of betting in a five-card poker hand.
Fifty Cents (Gambling)
A $50 bet.
Figure (Gambling)
The amount a bettor owes or is owed by a bookmaker.
Fill Up (Poker)
Getting the card you need to complete a full house.
Final (Roulette)
A bet on all numbers that end in the same digit (e.g., a “Final 7” bet covers 7, 17, and 27).
Final Four (Sports Betting)
The last four teams in the NCAA basketball tournament.
Final Schnaps (Roulette)
A bet on 11, 22, and 33.
Fire (Craps)
Placing a very large bet.
First Base (Blackjack)
The first seat to the left of the dealer, which gets cards first.
First Half Bet (Sports Betting)
A bet on only the first half of a game.
Fish (Poker)
A player who loses often and tends to bet on every hand, even bad ones.
Five Card Charlie (Blackjack)
A rule where a five-card hand that doesn’t bust wins.
Five Card Stud (Poker)
A poker game where players get one card face down and four face up, with no community cards.
Fixed Odds (Gambling)
Odds that don’t change, often used in sports betting.
Flash (Casino Software)
An older online casino technology (Macromedia Flash) that didn’t require downloading software.
Flash (Gambling)
A sudden change in betting odds.
Flashboard (Keno)
The screen that shows the drawn keno numbers.
Flat Betting (Gambling)
Betting the same amount every round without changing it.
Flat Call (Poker)
Calling a bet instead of raising.
Flat Top (Slots)
A slot machine with a fixed jackpot instead of a progressive one.
Flop (Poker)
The first three community cards dealt face up.
Flush (Poker)
A hand where all five cards are the same suit.
Fold (Poker)
Giving up your hand and leaving the round.
Forecast (Sports Betting)
A bet predicting which team/player will finish first and second.
Foul (Poker)
An incorrectly set hand, such as placing a two-card low hand higher than the five-card high hand.
Fouling a Hand (Poker)
Arranging your cards incorrectly.
Four Corners (Bingo)
A winning pattern where you match all four corners of a bingo card.
Fourth Street (Poker)
The second round of betting when players have four of their five cards.
Free Card (Poker)
When all players check, allowing the next card to be dealt without betting.
Free Space (Bingo)
The center square on a bingo card that players can use to complete a winning pattern.
Free Spin (Slots)
A spin that doesn’t cost money but can still win real prizes.
Freeroll (Poker)
A tournament with no entry fee or a hand that can’t lose.
Freeze-Out (Poker)
A tournament where players can’t rebuy once they lose all their chips.
Front Hand (Poker)
The three-card hand in some poker games, which must be the weakest of a player’s three hands.
Front Line (Craps)
Another name for the "Pass Line" bet.
FTW (Casino Slang)
Short for "For the win."
Full House (Poker)
A hand with three of one rank and two of another (e.g., three Kings and two Fives).
Full Ring (Poker)
A poker table with nine or ten players.
Futures (Sports Betting)
Bets on events that will happen later, like who will win a championship
Garbage Hand (Poker)
A weak hand that usually isn’t worth playing because it’s unlikely to win.
Getting Down (Gambling)
Placing a bet.
Gg (Casino Slang)
Short for "Good game."
gla (Casino Slang)
Short for "Good luck, everyone."
Goose (Keno)
The machine that shuffles and draws the keno balls.
Grand Salami (Sports Betting)
The total number of goals scored across all hockey games on a given day.
Grid (Sports Betting)
A chart that shows different betting options. Online, players use the grid to place, adjust, or confirm bets.
Grind (Poker)
Playing a lot of low-stakes poker games for long hours to make steady profits. A player who does this is called a "grinder."
Gutshot (Poker)
Another term for an "inside straight draw," meaning a hand that needs one specific card in the middle to complete a straight.
Half Time Bet (Sports Betting)
A bet placed only on the second half of a game.
Half-a-Dollar (Gambling)
A $50 bet.
Hand (Gambling)
The cards a player holds or plays. It can also refer to a round of play between shuffles.
Hand Behind (Poker)
A five-card hand placed behind the two-card hand in certain poker games.
Hand in Front (Poker)
A two-card hand placed in front of the five-card hand in certain poker games.
Handicap (Sports Betting)
Another term for "point spread."
Handicapper (Sports Betting)
A person who sets the point spread.
Handicapping (Sports Betting)
Analyzing and predicting the outcome of sporting events, usually through research.
Handle (Sports Betting)
The total money bet on an event or multiple events.
Hard (Craps)
A dice roll where both dice show the same number (e.g., a "hard 8" is two 4s).
Hard Hand (Poker)
A hand that can have only one value, either because it has no aces or because aces must count as one.
Hard Way (Craps)
Rolling a 4, 6, 8, or 10 with matching dice before rolling a 7 or an easier combination.
Hardway (Bingo)
A straight-line pattern that doesn’t use the free space.
he (Casino Slang)
Short for Texas Hold'em poker.
Heads Up (Blackjack)
A one-on-one game between the player and the dealer.
Hedging (Sports Betting)
Placing bets on the opposite side to reduce losses or secure a profit.
Hi (Poker)
Short for "High Poker."
High Bet (Roulette)
A bet on numbers 19 to 36.
High Card (Poker)
The highest card in a hand when no pair or better is present.
High Hand (Poker)
A five-card hand.
High Poker (Poker)
A poker game where the highest-ranking hand wins.
High Roller (Casino)
A player who bets large amounts of money.
Hijack (Poker)
The seat to the right of the cutoff position at a poker table.
Hi-Lo (Craps)
A bet that the next roll will be a 2 or a 12.
Hit (Blackjack)
Asking for another card.
Hit (Slots)
Spinning a winning combination.
Hole Cards (Blackjack)
The dealer’s facedown cards.
Home Field Advantage (Sports Betting)
The expected advantage of a team playing at home.
Hook (Sports Betting)
A half-point added to a point spread or total.
Hop Bet (Craps)
A bet that the next roll will be a specific dice combination.
Horn Bet (Craps)
A bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, 11, or 12, placed in multiples of four.
Hot (Casino)
Refers to a winning streak, either for a player or a table.
Hot (Slots)
A slot machine that seems to be paying out frequently.
Hot Game (Sports Betting)
A game that’s getting heavy betting action from experts.
Hot Table (Casino)
A table where players are winning often.
House (Casino)
The casino itself.
House Edge (Casino)
The built-in advantage the casino has over players. A 5% house edge means a player loses about 50 cents for every $10 bet. Lower house edges are better for players.
House Way (Poker)
The official rules dealers must follow when setting their hands.
hu (Blackjack)
Short for "Heads Up."
Idiot End (Poker)
The lowest possible straight. Also called the "dumb end" or "sucker end" because it’s easy to lose with it.
Implied Odds (Poker)
The odds you expect to get based on future bets if you hit your winning hand, even if the current odds don’t look good.
In and Out Teaser (Sports Betting)
A bet that includes a favorite, an underdog, the over, and the under—all from the same game.
Inside Bet (Roulette)
A bet placed on a specific number on the roulette table.
Inside Straight Draw (Poker)
A straight that needs one specific card to fill a gap in the middle. For example, if you have 2, 3, 5, you need a 4 to complete your straight.
Instant Win (Lottery)
A lottery ticket that tells you right away if you’ve won.
Insurance (Blackjack)
A side bet that the dealer has blackjack. You can place this bet when the dealer’s face-up card is an ace.
Isolate (Poker)
Raising to force all but one player to fold, so you can play against a single opponent.
Jackpot (Gambling)
A huge cash prize, usually the biggest payout in a game.
Jacks or Better (Poker)
A type of video poker where you need at least a pair of Jacks or higher to win.
Joker (Poker)
An extra card in the deck (sometimes one, sometimes two). It can act as a wildcard, usually helping complete a straight, flush, or straight flush. If it doesn’t help with those, it counts as an Ace.
Juice (Sports Betting)
The fee a sportsbook or bookie takes on a bet. Also called "vig" or "vigorish."
Junket (Casino)
A group of high rollers who get special treatment from a casino, often flown in for free to gamble big.
Keno (Casino Game)
A lottery-style game where you pick numbers from 1 to 80 and hope they match the winning draw. Very popular in Canada.
Kicker (Poker)
A side card that doesn’t help form a hand but is used to break ties when two players have the same main hand.
King Ticket (Keno)
A special keno ticket where a single number (the "king") is combined with other groups of numbers to create multiple bets on one ticket. You can have more than one king.
La Grande (Poker)
A two-card hand worth nine points.
La Petite (Poker)
A two-card hand worth eight points.
Lady (Poker)
A nickname for the Queen card.
Lay Bet (Craps)
A bet that 7 will be rolled before the point number.
Lay Down (Poker)
To fold your hand.
Lay Odds (Sports Betting)
Making a bet where the other side gets better odds (they win more than they bet).
Laying the Points (Sports Betting)
Betting on the favorite and giving up points.
Laying the Price (Sports Betting)
Betting on the favorite while accepting worse odds.
Layoff (Sports Betting)
A bookmaker placing a bet with another bookmaker to balance their risk.
Let It Ride (Poker)
Using your winnings from one bet to place the next bet.
Limit (Gambling)
A game where bets have a fixed maximum.
Limit (Sports Betting)
The highest amount a bookmaker allows before changing the odds.
Limp (Poker)
To call the big blind instead of raising.
Linemaker (Sports Betting)
The person who sets the odds for bets (also called an "oddsmaker").
Lines (Sports Betting)
The odds available for betting.
Little Joe (Craps)
A hard 4 (two 2s). Also called “Little Joe from Kokomo.”
Live Dealer Games (Casino)
Online casino games with real dealers that players watch and interact with through a video stream.
Lo (Poker)
Another term for Low Poker.
Lock (Gambling)
A bet that seems very likely to win.
Long Odds (Sports Betting)
Odds greater than 10:1.
Longshot (Gambling)
A bet with a small chance of winning.
Loose (Poker)
A player who plays a lot of hands, even weak ones.
Low Bet (Roulette)
A bet on numbers 1 to 18.
Low Hand (Poker)
A two-card poker hand.
Low Poker (Poker)
A poker game where the lowest hand wins.
Low Triple (Craps)
Rolling three of the same low number (1, 2, or 3).
Lump Sum (Lottery)
A one-time full payout instead of smaller payments over time.
Maniac (Poker)
A player who bets and raises a lot, often recklessly.
Margin (Sports Betting)
The difference in score between the winner and the loser of an event.
Mark (Keno)
A mark on a keno ticket showing the numbers a player has picked.
Martingale (Roulette)
A betting system where you double your bet and add one unit after each loss. Example: If you start with $2 and lose, your next bet would be $3, then $7, then $15, and so on.
Middle (Sports Betting)
A strategy where you bet on both teams at different point spreads and win both bets.
Middle Hand (Poker)
In some poker games, this is the second five-card hand. It must be weaker than the back hand but stronger than the front hand.
Middle Pair (Poker)
A pair made using the middle-ranked card on the flop.
Miss (Poker)
When you don't complete a hand you were hoping for.
Money Line (Sports Betting)
A straight bet on which team or player will win, with no point spread.
Monkey (Poker)
A nickname for a 10 or a face card.
Monster (Poker)
A very strong hand.
Move the Line (Sports Betting)
Paying extra to adjust the point spread in your favor.
Muck (Poker)
To fold your hand without showing it.
Multiplier (Poker)
A special wild card that increases the payout when it’s part of a winning hand.
Multi-Race Ticket (Keno)
A keno ticket that covers multiple games in a row at the same bet amount.
Multi-Table Tournament (MTT) (Poker)
A poker tournament with multiple tables of players.
Multi-Tabling (Poker)
Playing at more than one online poker table at the same time.
N1 (Casino Slang)
Short for "Nice one."
Natural (Blackjack)
A two-card hand worth 21 points, an automatic winner.
Natural (Craps)
Rolling a 7 or 11 on the first throw.
Natural (Poker)
A two-card hand worth 8 or 9 points.
NH (Casino Slang)
Short for "Nice hand."
Nickel (Gambling)
A $500 bet.
Nickel Line (Sports Betting)
A betting line where the bookie’s fee (juice) is 5%.
Nina from Pasadena (Craps)
A bet that the next roll will be a 9.
NL (Casino Slang)
Short for "No Limit."
No Action (Sports Betting)
A bet that gets canceled, so no one wins or loses money.
No Limit (Gambling)
A game where there’s no cap on how much you can bet per round.
No-Deposit Bonus (Casino Bonus)
Free casino money given to new players without requiring a deposit. Usually has restrictions on how it can be used.
Nosebleed (Gambling)
Extremely high stakes.
NP (Casino Slang)
Short for "Nice play" or "No problem."
Nut Low (Poker)
The best possible low hand in a poker game.
Nut Nut (Poker)
Having both the best high hand and the best low hand in a split pot game.
Nuts (Poker)
The best possible hand at any given moment.
Odds (Gambling)
The chances a sportsbook gives for a competitor to win, adjusted so the bookie makes a profit.
Off the Board (Sports Betting)
A game that’s temporarily unavailable for betting.
Off-Suit (Poker)
Cards that are not the same suit.
Omaha (Poker)
A poker game like Texas Hold’em, but players get four hole cards instead of two. They must use exactly two of them, plus three community cards, to make the best hand.
On (Bingo)
When a player needs just one more number to win.
On Tilt (Poker)
When a player loses control after a bad hand and starts making reckless bets.
One-Roll Bet (Craps)
A bet that is decided on the next roll.
Online Casino
A virtual casino where you can play games online. Some casinos let you play in your browser, while others require a software download.
Open (Keno)
When a casino is accepting bets for the next keno draw.
Open (Poker)
To make the first bet in a round.
Open-Ended Straight Draw (Poker)
A straight draw that can be completed with one of two possible cards. Example: Holding 2, 3, 4, 5 means you need either an Ace or a 6 to complete the straight.
Out (Poker)
A card that, if dealt, can turn your hand into a winner.
Outdraw (Poker)
To make a stronger hand than your opponent by drawing better cards.
Outlaw Line (Sports Betting)
The very first betting odds posted, usually available only to select bettors.
Outside Bet (Roulette)
A bet on red/black, even/odd, or high/low numbers, which covers a larger portion of the table.
Over Card (Poker)
A hole card that’s higher than any card on the board.
Over Pair (Poker)
A pocket pair that’s higher than all the community cards.
Over/Under (Sports Betting)
A bet on whether the total combined score of both teams will be above or below a set number.
Overbet (Poker)
A bet that’s bigger than the size of the pot.
Overdrawn (Bingo)
A number that seems to be drawn more often than usual (also called a "hot" number).
Overdue (Bingo)
A number that hasn’t been drawn in a while and feels "due" to hit.
Overlay (Poker)
When a poker room adds extra money to a prize pool beyond what players paid in.
Overlay (Sports Betting)
When the odds are better than they should be, giving an advantage to the bettor.
Paint (Poker)
A face card (King, Queen, or Jack).
Pair (Poker)
A hand with two cards of the same rank.
Parlay (Gambling)
Using winnings from one bet to place another bet, usually on multiple games. All bets must win for the parlay to pay out.
Pass (Poker)
To fold or not place a bet.
Pass Line (Craps)
A bet on the shooter (player rolling the dice) to win.
Passive (Poker)
A player who doesn’t bet or raise much and usually just calls.
Pat (Blackjack)
A hand with at least 17 points where the player stops drawing cards.
Pat (Poker)
To keep your cards as they are without drawing any new ones.
Pay Table (Poker)
A chart showing how much you win for different hand combinations.
Payline (Slots)
The line across a slot machine that pays when you hit a winning combination. There can be many, some straight or in different shapes.
Payoff (Gambling)
The money you win from a bet.
Payout Percentage (Gambling)
The percentage of all bets paid back to players over time. For example, a 96% payout means the game will return $96 for every $100 wagered.
Picks (Sports Betting)
The bets you place on a game or event.
Pineapple (Poker)
A poker game similar to Hold’em, but you start with three hole cards. After the flop, you must discard one.
Place (Poker)
To finish in the top three or four positions in a competition.
Place Bet (Craps)
A bet on a specific number to be rolled before a 7 or the point number is rolled.
Playthrough Requirement (Casino)
The number of bets or money you must wager before you can withdraw bonus winnings.
Pocket Cards (Poker)
The cards dealt to each player face down.
Pocket Pair (Poker)
A pair of the same rank in your hole cards.
Point (Craps)
The number established by the come-out roll that must be rolled again before a 7.
Point Spread (Sports Betting)
A points handicap given to the underdog to even out the betting odds.
Poker (Poker)
A card game played with a set of rules where the best combination of cards wins.
Pokies (Slots)
A term for slot machines, used in Australia and New Zealand.
Position (Gambling)
The order in which you act during a round. Players in early positions act first, while players in late positions act last.
Post (Poker)
To add chips to the pot, usually as an ante or blind bet.
Postage Stamp (Bingo)
A bingo pattern where you need to cover the four corners of the card.
Pot (Poker)
The total amount of money or chips collected from bets during a round.
Pot Limit (Gambling)
A game where the maximum bet is the amount in the current pot.
Pot Odds (Poker)
The ratio of the money in the pot compared to the cost of making a call.
Powerball (Lottery)
A lottery where you win by matching five numbers plus a special bonus number.
Press (Gambling)
To bet more than usual, often using winnings from previous bets.
Progressive Jackpot (Slots)
A jackpot that increases over time until someone wins. It can be linked across many machines.
Progressive Slot (Slots)
A slot game that links to a larger network of machines, where the jackpot grows as more people play.
Prop Bet (Sports Betting)
A bet on something specific in an event, like who will score first, or on non-sporting events like politics.
Puckline (Sports Betting)
A betting line for hockey, where you bet on the spread instead of just the winner.
Pull Tab (Lottery)
A type of lottery ticket where you pull away a covering to reveal the winning numbers or symbols.
Punto (Baccarat)
The player or the bet placed on the player to win.
Punto Banco (Casino)
Another name for the game of Baccarat.
Puppy (Sports Betting)
The underdog, or the team less likely to win.
Push (Blackjack)
A tie where neither the player nor the house wins. The player gets their bet back.
Quads (Poker)
A hand that has four cards of the same rank.
Quarter Bet (Roulette)
A bet where you place a single wager on four numbers at once, similar to a corner bet.
Quick Pick
A lottery ticket with numbers chosen by the computer for you, also known as a Lucky Dip.
Rabbit Hunt (Poker)
Dealing the cards that would have been played if the hand had continued.
Rag (Poker)
A card that doesn’t help improve your hand.
Rail (Casino)
Watching a casino game without playing.
Rainbow (Poker)
Three or four cards that are all from different suits.
Raise (Poker)
Increasing the bet to at least double the blind or ante.
Rake (Poker)
A fee or percentage taken by the house from each poker hand played.
Random Number Generator (Slots)
A system that ensures fair and unbiased results in casino games.
Rank (Poker)
The value of a card.
Re-Bet (Gambling)
A bet for the same amount as the previous round.
Re-Buy (Poker)
Buying more chips when you run out or get knocked out of a hand.
Redraw (Poker)
Having a hand that’s already good but can be improved even more.
Reels (Slots)
The spinning parts of a slot machine that show symbols to determine if you win.
Reload Bonus (Casino)
A bonus given when you make a new deposit.
Represent (Poker)
Acting in a way that suggests you have a certain hand.
Return (Gambling)
The total amount you win from a bet.
Reverse Tells (Poker)
Deliberate actions or body language used to mislead opponents about your hand.
Right Bettor (Craps)
The person who bets along with the shooter.
Ring Game (Poker)
A regular, non-tournament poker game.
River (Poker)
The last community card dealt in poker.
RNG (Slots)
Abbreviation for Random Number Generator.
Roll (Casino)
Your bankroll or total available money.
Rolled Up (Poker)
A starting hand in seven-card stud with three of a kind.
Roulette Wheel (Roulette)
The spinning wheel that decides the winning numbers in roulette, with 37 or 38 pockets.
Rounder (Poker)
A skilled player who makes a living from poker.
Royal Flush (Poker)
The highest-ranking hand, consisting of the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and ten, all of the same suit.
Royalties (Poker)
Special bonuses for making specific strong hands, like quads or a full straight.
Run Down (Sports Betting)
A list of betting lines for a specific date or event.
Runline (Sports Betting)
A spread bet used in baseball instead of the moneyline.
Runner (Sports Betting)
Someone who places a bet for another person.
Scalper (Sports Betting)
Someone who tries to profit by betting on both sides of a game at different odds from different sportsbooks.
Scare Card (Poker)
A community card that likely improves an opponent’s hand.
Scared Money (Gambling)
Money that a player can’t afford to lose, or a bet that’s too high for their bankroll.
Scatter Symbol (Slots)
Special symbols that pay when two or more appear anywhere on the screen, even outside of the winning payline. Scatters can also trigger free spins or bonus rounds.
Scoop (Poker)
Winning the entire pot, usually in high-low split games.
Scouts (Sports Betting)
People who wait for what they believe is a good bet.
Scratch Card (Lottery)
A lottery ticket where you scratch off a covering to reveal the numbers or symbols underneath.
Second Pair (Poker)
A hand that includes a pair on the board, but it's not the best pair in the hand.
See (Poker)
Calling a bet.
Semi-Bluff (Poker)
Betting or raising with a weak hand that could still improve to a strong one.
Set (Poker)
A hand with three cards of the same rank. In community card games, it's made from two hole cards and one community card.
Seven Card Stud (Poker)
A poker variant with no community cards, where players are dealt a mix of face-up and face-down cards in multiple betting rounds.
Seven Out (Craps)
When the shooter rolls a 7 before making the point, losing the pass line bet.
Seventh Street (Poker)
The last round of betting where all players have seven cards for their hand.
Sh (Casino Jargon)
Short-handed, meaning fewer players than usual.
Shark (Poker)
A highly skilled poker player.
Shill (Casino)
A person hired by the casino to make the game look more active by playing.
Shooter (Craps)
The person rolling the dice.
Short Stack (Poker)
Having fewer chips compared to other players, often less than 100 big blinds.
Short-Handed (Poker)
A game with fewer players than usual.
Showdown (Poker)
When players reveal their cards at the end of a hand to determine the winner.
Shut Out (Sports Betting)
When a bettor tries to place a bet after betting has closed, or when the losing team fails to score.
Sic Bo (Sic Bo)
A dice game where players bet on the outcome of a roll with three dice.
Side Pot (Poker)
A separate pot created when one or more players go all-in, but there’s still betting from other players.
Sides (Sports Betting)
The two teams or players competing, one being the underdog and the other the favorite.
Simple Bet (Craps)
A bet on a single number with payouts depending on how many dice match that number.
Single (Sports Betting)
A bet placed on one team or athlete to win, also called a straight bet.
Single-Table Tournament (STT) (Poker)
A poker tournament with just one table.
Sixth Street (Poker)
The fourth round of betting in a seven-card hand.
Slot Machine (Casino)
A machine with spinning reels that shows symbols, where players win based on the combinations.
Slow Play (Poker)
Playing a strong hand like it's weak to trick other players into betting more.
Small Bet (Craps)
A bet on the total sum of the three dice being between 4 and 10.
Small Blind (Poker)
The forced bet made by the player to the left of the dealer.
Smooth Call (Poker)
Calling a bet without raising, also called a flat call.
Snake Eyes (Craps)
Rolling two 1s on the dice.
Soft Hand (Blackjack)
A hand that includes an Ace that can be worth either 1 or 11.
Special (Poker)
A game played with a different deck of cards than usual.
Speed Bingo (Bingo)
A fast-paced bingo game where numbers are called quickly, and a win can happen with just a few numbers.
Split Hand (Blackjack)
When you split your initial two cards into two hands, but only if they’re the same rank.
Split Pair (Poker)
In seven-card stud, when a down card matches the up card, making a pair.
Split Pot (Poker)
When the pot is divided between two or more players.
Split Ticket (Keno)
A keno ticket that combines two or more basic tickets, evaluated separately.
Sports Lottery (Lottery)
A lottery where winners are chosen based on sports outcomes.
Sportsbook (Sports Betting)
A place or website where bets are accepted.
Spot (Keno)
The numbers you select on a keno ticket.
Spread (Sports Betting)
The point spread, which is a betting handicap to balance the odds between two teams.
Square (Sports Betting)
A beginner or inexperienced sports bettor.
Square Pair (Craps)
A term for a specific bet in craps (Ada from Decatur).
Sss (Casino Jargon)
Short stacked, meaning a player has a small number of chips.
Staggered Payout (Slots)
A payout system where players who wager more can win bigger amounts.
Stakes (Poker)
The maximum betting limits at a poker table, including the blind amounts.
Standoff (Poker)
When two hands are of equal value, resulting in a tie.
Steam (Slots)
When the reels start spinning quickly, often indicating a hot streak.
Steaming (Poker)
A term for being "on tilt," or playing poorly due to frustration.
Sticky Bonus (Casino)
A bonus that can’t be cashed out, but helps you keep playing.
Store (Sports Betting)
Another term for a sportsbook.
Straddle (Poker)
An optional extra blind bet, usually double the big blind, made by the player to the left of the big blind.
Straight (Poker)
A hand of five consecutive cards, regardless of suit.
Straight Bet (Roulette)
A bet on a single number in roulette.
Straight Bet (Sports Betting)
A bet placed on one team or athlete to win.
Straight Flush (Poker)
A hand of five consecutive cards of the same suit (not a royal flush).
Straight Ticket (Keno)
A keno ticket where all your numbers are selected in a simple line.
Street Bet (Roulette)
A bet on three numbers in a row on the roulette table.
Strong Bet (Craps)
A bet placed on all three dice at once, such as betting all dice will show the same number.
Stud Poker (Poker)
A poker variant where some cards are dealt face-up and some face-down.
Suit (Poker)
The category a card belongs to, like hearts, diamonds, spades, or clubs.
Suited Connectors (Poker)
Two consecutive cards of the same suit, like 7♠ and 8♠.
Super Stud (Poker)
A variation of Caribbean Stud with a progressive jackpot.
Surrender (Blackjack)
The option to give up half of your bet in exchange for discarding your hand.
Symbols (Slots)
The pictures or numbers on a slot machine’s reels determining winning combinations.
Table (Poker Term)
Showing your cards face-up at the end of a hand.
Tai Sai (Sic Bo Term)
Another name for Sic Bo.
Take Odds (Sports Betting Term)
Accepting a bet where the other side has worse odds.
Taking the Points (Sports Betting Term)
Betting on the underdog with the advantage of the point spread.
Taking the Price (Sports Betting Term)
Betting on the underdog and accepting the moneyline odds.
Tank (Gambling Term)
Taking extra time to think before making a decision.
Tapped Out (Gambling Term)
Having no money left to play.
Teaser (Sports Betting Term)
A bet on two or more teams where the point spread is adjusted in your favor. All picks must win for the bet to pay out.
Tells (Poker Term)
Small clues in a player's behavior, like gestures or expressions, that reveal their hand strength.
Texas Blackout (Bingo Term)
A fast-paced bingo game where all even or odd numbers (depending on the first call) are automatically marked. The goal is to get a full blackout.
Texas Hold'em (Poker Term)
A popular poker game where each player gets two private cards and shares five community cards. The best five-card hand wins.
The Cage (Casino Term)
The area in a casino where cash and chips are exchanged.
Third Base (Blackjack Term)
The last seat at the blackjack table before the dealer plays their hand.
Third Street (Poker Term)
The first betting round in Seven-Card Stud when players have three cards.
Three of a Kind (Poker Term)
A poker hand with three cards of the same rank.
Ticket (Keno Term)
A form with numbers from 1 to 80 used to place keno bets.
Ticket (Sports Betting Term)
A printed slip showing your sports bet.
Tie (Sports Betting Term)
A bet where the final score matches the sportsbook’s line, meaning no win or loss.
Tight (Poker Term)
A cautious player who only plays strong hands.
Tilt (Gambling Term)
When a player makes bad decisions due to frustration or losses.
Toke (Casino Term)
A tip given to the dealer.
Top Pair (Poker Term)
A pair made using the highest card from the flop.
Total (Craps Term)
A bet on the combined value of all three dice.
Total (Sports Betting Term)
The combined points, goals, or runs scored by both teams in a game (also known as Over/Under betting).
Totals Bet (Sports Betting Term)
A bet on whether the total score of a game will be over or under a number set by the sportsbook.
Tournament (Keno Term)
A series of keno games where the winner is decided based on overall performance.
Trey (Gambling Term)
The number three.
Triple (Craps Term)
A bet that all three dice will show the same number.
Trips (Poker Term)
Three of a kind using one private card and two community cards.
True Odds (Sports Betting Term)
The actual probability of an event happening, without the sportsbook's adjustments.
Turkey (Poker Term)
A rude or disrespectful player.
Turn (Poker Term)
The fourth community card dealt in Texas Hold’em.
ty (Casino Jargon)
Short for "thank you."
Under (Sports Betting Term)
A bet that the total points scored in a game will be less than a set number.
Under the Gun (Poker Term)
The first player to act in a hand, sitting to the left of the big blind. This player must make a decision before anyone else.
Underdog (Sports Betting Term)
The team or player expected to lose. Often called the "dog."
Up Card (Poker Term)
A card that is dealt face up for everyone to see.
UTG (Casino Jargon)
Short for "under the gun," meaning the first player to act in a poker hand.
Value (Sports Betting Term)
Getting the best possible odds on a bet to maximize potential winnings.
Value Bet (Poker Term)
A bet made to get called by a weaker hand, increasing potential winnings.
Variance (Poker Term)
The ups and downs of winning and losing in poker over time.
Video Poker (Casino Term)
A game that plays like five-card draw poker but works like a slot machine.
Vigorish (Sports Betting Term)
The fee a bookmaker takes from losing bets. Also called "juice" or "vig."
Virgin (Bingo Term)
A number combination that has never been called before.
Virtual Casino Games (Casino Term)
Online casino games run by computer software using a Random Number Generator (RNG) to determine results.
Wad (Casino Term)
Another word for "bankroll"—the money a player has to gamble.
Wager (Gambling Term)
Another word for "bet."
Wagering Requirement (Casino Term)
Also known as "playthrough requirement"—the number of times you must bet bonus money before cashing out.
Way Ticket (Keno Term)
A keno ticket where a player picks groups of numbers that combine to create multiple bets on one ticket.
Weak Bet (Craps Term)
A bet that a specific number will show up on just one die.
Wet Board (Poker Term)
A board with lots of possible draws and strong hands.
Whale (Poker Term)
A rich player who bets big but isn’t necessarily skilled.
Whales (Poker Term)
High rollers who gamble huge amounts and can afford big losses.
Wheel (Poker Term)
A straight from Ace to 5 (A-2-3-4-5).
Whiff (Poker Term)
When a player completely misses their draw.
Wild Card (Poker Term)
A card (like a joker) that can stand in for any other card to make a stronger hand.
Wild Number (Bingo Term)
A bingo game where the first number called sets a "wild" number. Any number ending in that digit is automatically marked.
Wild Symbol (Slots Term)
A special symbol that substitutes for other symbols to create winning combinations. Some wilds also multiply payouts.
Wired Cards (Poker Term)
A strong starting hand, like a pocket pair or three of a kind dealt back-to-back.
Wiseguy (Sports Betting Term)
A skilled bettor or handicapper who knows the odds well.
Writer (Keno Term)
A casino employee who runs keno games and takes bets.
Wrong Bettor (Craps Term)
Someone who bets against the shooter (like betting on "Don't Pass").
YHS (Casino Slang)
Short for "Your hand sucks"—used when someone has a really bad hand.
Yo (Casino Slang)
Another name for the number 11 in craps.
YW (Casino Slang)
Short for "You're welcome."
3-Bet (Poker Term)
When a player raises after an initial bet and a first raise.
4-Bet (Poker Term)
When a player re-raises after a 3-bet.
Michael Fuller takes immense pleasure in working from home daily, stationed at his computer. His daily routine involves delving into online casinos, placing strategic sports bets, and narrating his experiences and gaming adventures. A dedicated enthusiast for digital gambling, Michael shares his captivating insights and reflections, guiding readers through the exhilarating landscape of online casinos and sports wagering. Michael's dedication to his craft ensures that his content is engaging and informative, offering valuable perspectives to those interested in online gambling. His personal experiences and professional insights combine to create a rich, immersive reading experience for his audience.
