Casino Glossary
There is so much jargon and phrases that will get anyone new to casinos
lost, and that is why the Croupier has created a comprehensive list of common
phrases and words used around the tables. I have even thrown in a few other
phrases related to land-based casinos - might as well brush up on the terminology
as it seems we are going to have some more major land-based Casinos opening
on our shores soon!
If there is a term you would like to see added to this list please send
me the term and definition to info@casino-croupier.co.uk.
Action - The amount of money wagered (put into action) by
a player during an entire playing session.
Active Player - In poker, one who is still in play.
Add-on - In poker, the facility to buy additional chips
in tournaments.
Aggregate Limit - Total payout liability of a casino during
any one game.
Aggregate Winnings - Cumulative or total winnings.
All or Nothing - In Keno, a ticket that only pays if either
all picked numbers are drawn or none of the picked numbers are drawn.
Ante - In card games, a bet required to begin a hand.
The initial compulsory bet before you receive your cards in Casino Stud
Poker.
Arm - A term used in the game of craps to denote a player
who is so skilled at throwing the dice that they are able to alter the conventional
odds of the game. Such a player is said to be 'an arm'. Whether or not such
individuals actually exist or are simply the product of game legend is debatable.
However, it is worth noting that the casino craps dealers are very adamant
about the dice being thrown against the far wall of the table to ensure
a completely random outcome. Baccarat - Also called Punto Banco and Chemin
De Fer (similar to Baccarat but requires skill). A table game using 6 or
8 decks of cards which does not require skill. See Baccarat on this site.
Banker - In card games, the dealer. In some card games,
each player becomes a banker/dealer in turn.
Bankroll - Also known as 'roll' or 'wad' (colloquial).
It pertains to the total money that either the player or the casino has
on hand to back their wagering activities. A player's bankroll can be classified
as existing on several different levels. At the highest level it pertains
to all money specifically set aside to support all gambling activities.
A subset of this bankroll is the players traveling bankroll, or the amount
of money carried along to support gambling on a particular trip. The traveling
bankroll can be further divided into a specific lesser amounts for each
day of the trip, or into even smaller amounts called table sitting or session
playing stakes which predetermine how much will be risked during any given
session or table sitting. These different types of bankrolls often figure
into the overall money management strategy the player uses to keep control
over their gambling cash activity.
Barred - Same as Banned. Not allowed to enter the casino
premises permanently. Bet - Wager.
Betting Limits - In a table game, the minimum and maximum
amounts of money that a player can wager on one bet. You cannot wager less
than the minimum or more than the maximum amount posted. Some casinos, in
special cases, may extend the maximum limit at a table on request by the
player.
Bingo - Bingo is a prize game played in halls. Basically,
players buy cards with numbers on them in a 5 x 5 grid corresponding to
the five letters in the word B-I-N-G-O. Numbers such as B-2 or 0-68 are
then drawn at random (out of a possible 75 in American Bingo, and 90 in
British and Australian Bingo) until one player completes a 'Bingo' line
with five numbers in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row on one of their
cards and wins the prize. Bingo rules and payouts and play variations vary
from place to place.
Black Book - The list of undesirable people who are forbidden
to enter any casino in Nevada.
Blind Bet - In poker, a bet posted without the player
sees any of his/her cards.
Blinds - A forced bet in Hold'em Poker. Boxing - In horse
racing, a single ticket comprised of more than one parlay.
Break-Even Point - The break-even point is the point at
which if you played forever, the bets you made would approximately equal
the payoffs you would receive.
Bug - A joker.
Bump - To raise.
Burn Cards - Remove cards from the top of the deck, not
to be dealt, and place them in the discard tray after a shuffle and cut.
Buy-in - Converting cash into chips. The amount of cash
used to purchase casino chips before entering a table game: blackjack, poker,
craps, roulette, etc.
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