Casino Terms and Glossary

A–Z glossary

Auto play

A setting that repeats spins or bets automatically at your chosen stake. It does not change the odds.

Bankroll

The total amount of money you have set aside for gambling. It should be money you can afford to lose.

Banker

In baccarat, one of the two hands you can bet on. Winning Banker bets usually pay 1:1 minus a 5% commission. Baccarat rules

Bet behind

In live blackjack, a bet on another player's seated hand. The seated player makes the decisions. Live blackjack

Blackjack (natural)

An ace and a ten-value card as the first two cards, usually paying 3:2. Blackjack rules

Bonus round

A special feature in a slot or fishing game, triggered by certain symbols or events. How slots work

Cascading reels

A slot mechanic where winning symbols disappear and new symbols fall into place. How slots work

Cluster pays

A slot mechanic that pays for groups of matching symbols touching each other. Slot paylines

Commission

A percentage deducted from certain winnings, such as the 5% on Banker wins in standard baccarat. Baccarat rules

Dealer

The person (or, in digital games, the software) who runs a table game. Also called a croupier. Live casino guide

Double down

In blackjack, doubling your bet in exchange for exactly one more card. Blackjack rules

En prison

A roulette rule that keeps even-money bets on the table for another spin when zero comes up. Roulette rules

Even money

A bet that pays 1:1, such as red or black in roulette. Roulette rules

Fishing game

An arcade-style game where you fire at moving targets, each shot costing your bet. Fishing games

Free spins

Slot spins played without deducting your stake, usually as part of a feature. How slots work

Hit frequency

The share of spins that produce any win, including wins smaller than the stake. Slot volatility

House edge

The long-run percentage of stakes the operator is expected to keep. For slots, 100% minus RTP. Casino games explained

Insurance

A blackjack side bet offered when the dealer shows an ace. Basic strategy advises declining it. Blackjack rules

La partage

A roulette rule that returns half of even-money bets when zero comes up. Roulette rules

Live casino

Casino games run by real dealers on camera and streamed to your device. Live casino guide

Multiplier

A factor that increases a win, such as ×2 or ×10.

Natural

In baccarat, a two-card total of 8 or 9. In blackjack, another name for blackjack. Baccarat rules

Payline

A pattern across a slot's reels on which matching symbols must land to win. Slot paylines

Paytable

The screen listing what each winning combination pays and how features work. How slots work

Push

A tie between player and dealer in which the stake is returned. Blackjack rules

RNG

Random number generator: software that produces the unpredictable results used by digital games. How slots work

RTP

Return to player: the theoretical long-term percentage of stakes a game is designed to pay back. Slot RTP

Scatter

A slot symbol that pays or triggers features wherever it lands. How slots work

Shoe

A box holding several decks of cards for baccarat or blackjack. Baccarat rules

Side bet

An optional extra bet, such as a pair bet, that usually has a higher house edge than the main game.

Soft hand

In blackjack, a hand in which an ace counts as 11 without going over 21. Blackjack rules

Split

In blackjack, separating a pair into two hands with an extra bet. Blackjack rules

Stake

The amount placed on a single bet or spin.

Surrender

In blackjack, giving up a hand and getting half the bet back, where the table allows it. Blackjack rules

Tie

In baccarat, a bet that the Player and Banker hands finish equal. It has a high house edge. Baccarat rules

Volatility

How a game's returns are spread between frequent small wins and rare large ones. Slot volatility

Wagering requirement

A bonus condition requiring you to bet a stated amount before bonus funds or winnings can be withdrawn. Beginner's guide

Ways to win

A slot mechanic that pays matching symbols on adjacent reels in any row, instead of fixed lines. Slot paylines

Wild

A slot symbol that substitutes for other symbols to complete wins. How slots work