Casino Glossary

• Punto Banco

  Baccarat

  The European name for the North American version of baccarat, as opposed to baccarat chemin de fer or baccarat banque.

  Synonym: Baccarat

• Back Door

  Poker

  Making a good hand with the last two cards dealt.

• Single or Double Decks

  Blackjack

  A blackjack game which uses one or two decks, respectively. Fewer decks favors the player.

• Straight Keno

  Keno

  The basic form of keno, in which the player selects certain numbers and must match a minimum number of those that are drawn to win.

• Quads

  PokerVideo Poker

  Another name for four of a kind.

• Aggressive Play

  Casino

  A playing style in which the player bets or raises more than usual.

  See also: Basic Strategy

• Four Card Royal Flush

  Video Poker

  Four cards of a royal flush, needing one and only one card to complete the hand.

• Any Seven

  Craps

  A craps bet that the next roll will be a 7, paying 4 to 1.

• Bank

  CasinoSlots

  1) The amount a player has available to wager;

  2) A group of slot machines.

  See also: BR, Bankroll

• Betting Handle

  Casino

  The total amount of money bet in a casino during a session.

• Double Double Bonus Video Poker

  Video Poker

  A variation of Jacks or Better that offers bonuses for various 4-of-a-kinds, particularly with specific kickers.

• Bonus Jacks+ Video poker

  Video Poker

  A video poker game that pays two credits for two pair and 400 for four aces.

• Drawn Out

  Poker

  Beaten by a hand that improved.

• Standoff, same as Tie or Push

  Blackjack

  An outcome where a player's bet is neither won or lost, i.e. when the player has the same (non-busting) total as the dealer.

  Synonym: Push or Tie

• Round

  Poker

  A period of betting after a certain number of cards have been dealt out. In tournaments, a (usually timed) period of play.

• Kicker

  PokerVideo Poker

  1) In a draw poker game, an odd high card held that doesn’t contribute to a straight or a flush, usually an ace or a king;

  2) In poker, a card used to decide the winner on hands that are otherwise tied. E.g a pair of kings with an queen beats a pair of kings with a jack. In video poker, the card may affect a jackpot payout.

• Single Number Bet

  Roulette

  A bet on a single number. Pays 35 to 1.

• Baby

  HiLo

  A low card, especially a 5 or less, useful for making a low hand.

• Hot Table

  Craps

  A table where the players are winning.

• Buy in, Buy-in

  Casino

  1) Exchanging cash for chips;

  2) In some games, the minimum amount required to play.

• Number Pool

  Keno

  The range of numbers a player has to choose from, e.g. in keno or bingo.

• Late Surrender

  Blackjack

  A player option to give up half the original bet after the dealer checks for, but doesn't find a blackjack.

• Payline

  Slots

  The line on a slot machine which winning symbols must be on. Modern machines can have multiple paylines.

• Red Bet

  Roulette

  A bet on the 18 red numbers. Pays 1 to 1.

  Antonym: Black Bet

• Four Card Flush

  Video Poker

  In video poker, four cards of the same suit.

• Straight Bet

  Roulette

  A bet on a single number. Pays 35 to 1.

• Spot

  Keno

  Any of the numbers 1-80 which a player can select.

• Hopping Hardways

  Craps

  A one-time bet that the next roll will be a hard way (22, 33, 44 or 55).

• Big Six

  Craps

  An even-money bet that a 6 will be rolled before a 7. A sucker bet since a place bet on the 6 wins exactly the same way, but pays more.

• Penalty Card

  PokerVideo Poker

  A card that, if discarded, reduces the chance of making one type of winning hand. E.g. If a player is dealt KQJ105, all of the same suit, and discarded the 5, it makes a flush less likely.

• Catching Cards

  Casino

  Being dealt the cards a player needs to win.

• Double-Zero Wheel

  Roulette

  A wheel which has the 38 numbers used for the American version of roulette.

• High Card

  Video Poker

  An ace or a face card (but not the 10) in video poker.

• Overpair

  Poker

  A pair higher in rank than the highest card on the board.

• Deal/Draw Button

  Video Poker

  A button to get new cards for discarded ones or to start a new hand.

• Four-Card Straight Flush

  Video Poker

  Four cards that can potentially make a straight, a flush or a straight flush, e.g. J1098 (open ended) or J1087 (inside).

• Rag

  Poker

  A low card of no use to the player.

• Slot Tournament

  Slots

  A tournament played on specially programmed machines. Usually a free promotion offered by casinos.

• Taking the Odds

  Craps

  A bet that can be made on either the pass line or come bet after a point has been established. The best craps bet, as the house has no advantage over the player.

  See also: Laying the Odds

• Pass

  Poker

  Fold one's hand.