Gambling Terminology Glossary

A

• ABC Poker: A straightforward, predictable poker playing style.
• Accumulator: Synonymous with a parlay bet.
• Ace: In craps, betting the next roll will total 2.
• Across the Board: A horse racing bet covering win, place, and show.
• Action (Casino): The total amount wagered in a casino or game. Dealers may announce this when it’s your turn to bet.
• Action (Sports Betting): Baseball bets without a specified pitcher; also, the frequency of bets on a specific event.
• Ada from Decatur: In craps, a hard 8, sometimes called “Decatur 8” or “square pair.”
• Add-On: An opportunity to buy more chips at set points during a poker tournament.
• Admission (Bingo): The minimum number of bingo cards you must purchase.
• Against the Spread (ATS): In sports betting, a term considering the point spread, referring to betting with or without it.
• Aggregate Limit: The maximum amount a casino can pay out per round; exceeding this may reduce payouts.
• Aggressive: A poker player who frequently raises.
• All or Nothing (Bingo): A bingo ticket pays only if all selected numbers are drawn or none are drawn.
• All-In: In poker, betting all remaining chips.
• American Roulette: A roulette variant with 38 pockets, including a double zero (“00”).
• Anchor (Blackjack): The player at third base, also called the “third baseman.”
• Annuity (Lottery): A long-term, installment-based payout for lottery jackpots.
• Ante: In poker, a mandatory bet placed before cards are dealt.
• Anticipated Bet (Sports Betting): Synonymous with a futures bet.
• Any Craps: In craps, betting the next roll will be 2, 3, or 12.
• Any Double: In craps, betting two of three dice will show the same number, without specifying which.
• Any Seven: In craps, betting the next roll will total 7.
• Any Triple: In craps, betting all three dice will show the same number, without specifying which.
• Arbitrage: A betting strategy using different odds to back both sides of an event, ensuring a profit.

B

• Baccarat: A card game where players bet on the player or banker hand closest to 9. Face cards and 10s count as zero.
• Backdoor: A hand made using the last two cards dealt.
• Backhand: In some poker games, the first five-card hand, which must be the strongest of a player’s three hands.
• Backline: In craps, synonymous with the “don’t pass line.”
• Backing: A heavily bet team or player.
• Bad Beat: Losing a hand that was likely to win.
• Banco (Baccarat): Betting on the banker or “bank” to win.
• Banco (Roulette): Betting all funds on a single wager.
• Banker: The person betting against all players, typically rotating each round.
• Bankroll: The amount of money available for casino games.
• Barrel: In multi-round poker, making a bet.
• Big Ben: Abbreviation for Big Blind or bad beat.
• Beard: Someone betting anonymously for another person.
• Beginner’s Luck: When a new player wins multiple games consecutively.
• Behind: When your hand is unlikely to beat an opponent’s.
• Bet: A wager placed during a game.
• Betting Limits: The minimum and maximum amounts you can wager.
• Betting Right (Craps): Betting with the shooter.
• Betting Table (Craps): The area where players place bets in craps.
• Betting Wrong (Craps): Betting against the shooter.
• Big Six (Craps): Betting a 6 is rolled before a 7.
• Big Eight (Craps): Betting an 8 is rolled before a 7.
• Big Bet (Sic Bo): Betting the total of three dice will be 11 to 17, with 1:1 odds.
• Big Bet (General): In fixed-limit games, doubling the initial betting limit.
• Big Blind (Poker): A mandatory bet by the player to the dealer’s left, typically twice the small blind.
• Big Blind Special: When the big blind wins because no other players enter the pot.
• Big Red (Craps): Betting on a 7 in craps.
• Bingo: A game where players match numbers on cards to a randomly drawn pattern; the first to match wins.
• Bingo Game (Casino): A game where players win by matching drawn numbers.
• Bingo Board: A screen displaying called numbers.
• Bingo Book: A set of bingo cards used in a session.
• Bingo Card: A 5×5 grid with randomly numbered spaces used in bingo.
• Blackjack: A blackjack hand where the first two cards total 21.
• Blackout (Bingo): A bingo pattern requiring the entire card to be matched to win.
• Blank (Poker): A community card that doesn’t improve any hand.
• Blind (Poker): A mandatory bet placed before seeing cards.
• Bluff (Poker): Pretending to have a stronger hand to deceive opponents.
• Bluff Catcher (Poker): A hand that can only win against a bluff.
• Board (Poker): Community cards shared by all players.
• Boat (Poker): Slang for a full house.
• Bones (Casino): A classic term for dice.
• Bonus (Casino): Special offers from casinos to encourage sign-ups or continued play.
• Bonus Ball (Lottery): An extra lottery number that can unlock additional prizes.
• Bonus Hunting (Casino): Exploiting casino bonuses to accumulate funds with minimal play before cashing out.
• Bonus Round (Slots): A special slot game triggered by specific symbol combinations, often offering free spins or extra rewards.
• Book (Gambling): A place where sports bets are placed.
• Bookie/Bookmaker (Gambling): A person accepting sports bets.
• Bottom Pair (Poker): A pair made using the lowest card on the board.
• Boxcars (Craps): Rolling two 6s in craps.
• Bust (Blackjack): When a hand exceeds 21, resulting in a loss.
• Brick (Poker): A card that doesn’t improve any hand.
• Bring-In (Poker): The first bet in a hand’s initial round.
• Broadway (Poker): A straight containing an ace-high (e.g., 10-J-Q-K-A).
• Buffalo (Craps): Betting on all hard ways and any seven.
• Bug (Poker): A wild card, often used as a semi-wild in games like Pai Gow, typically acting as an ace or completing straights/flushes.
• Bump (Poker): To raise a bet.
• Buried Pair (Poker): A pair formed by the first two hole cards in stud poker.
• Burn Card (Poker): A discarded card not dealt.
• Button (Blackjack): The table position determining who acts last and serves as the dealer in blackjack.
• Buy-In (Poker): The amount of money required to join a poker game or tournament.

C

• Cage (Craps): A container used to shake dice before rolling.
• Call (Poker): Matching the current bet.
• Calling Station (Poker): A player who consistently calls.
• Canadian Line (Sports Betting): A mix of point spread and odds, often used in hockey betting.
• Cap (Gambling): The limit on the number of raises allowed in a betting round.
• Capping (Blackjack): Illegally adding chips to a bet after dealing begins.
• Card Shark (Poker): A skilled poker player, often using deceptive tactics.
• Caribbean Stud (Poker): A poker variant played against the house, similar to five-card stud.
• Carte (Blackjack): French term for requesting another card.
• Cash Bonus (Casino): Free funds offered to new players on their first deposit, typically matching the deposit amount.
• Cashback (Casino): A periodic refund of a percentage of a player’s losses to their account.
• Casino: A gambling venue, originally a place for song and dance performances.
• Casino Edge: Also known as house edge, the casino’s inherent advantage over players.
• Catch (Keno): When drawn numbers match those on a player’s keno card.
• Chalk (Sports Betting): The favored team, athlete, or horse.
• Chalk Player (Sports Betting): A bettor who always wagers on favorites.
• Chase (Gambling): Continuing to bet after losses to recoup money.
• Chat Room (Casino): A private space for players to send real-time messages to others.
• Check (Poker): Staying in the hand without betting, with the option to bet later.
• Check Blind (Poker): Checking without looking at cards.
• Check-Raise (Poker): Checking initially, then raising after an opponent bets.
• Chemin De Fer: A French baccarat variant where players take turns as the banker.
• Chinese Poker: A poker variant where players use 13 cards to form three hands, compared against opponents’ hands.
• Chips and Chair (Poker): Even a player with one chip can still win a tournament.
• Chips (Casino): Colored discs used as currency in casinos; online casinos use chips to represent bets.
• Chop (Poker): Splitting the pot among remaining players.
• Chop Blinds (Poker): When only the small and big blinds remain, they agree to return blinds and end the hand.
• Choppy Game (Poker): A game where wins and losses alternate between players and the house.
• Chuck-a-Luck (Sic Bo): A Sic Bo variant, also called “bird cage” or “grand hazard.”
• Circle Game (Sports Betting): A game with restricted maximum bets, often due to injuries or weather.
• Clear (Poker): Canceling all bets on the table and returning chips to players.
• Closed (Keno): When betting is no longer allowed before keno balls are drawn.
• Closing Line (Sports Betting): The final odds and point spread offered before a game starts.
• Cold (Slots): A slot machine that pays out infrequently.
• Cold Call (Poker): Calling after a raise.
• Cold Table (Gambling): A table where players frequently lose.
• Color Up (Casino): Exchanging smaller denomination chips for larger ones.
• Column Bet (Roulette): Betting on one of three columns of 12 numbers in roulette.
• Combination Bet (Horse Racing): Betting on multiple teams or horses to finish first and second, in any order.
• Combination Bet (Sic Bo): Betting that two of three dice will match two specific numbers.
• Combination Ticket (Keno): A keno card allowing multiple number groups and their combinations.
• Combination Draw (Poker): A hand with multiple possible draw outcomes.
• Come Bet (Craps): Betting the shooter will win.
• Come-Out (Craps): The first roll in a craps game.
• Commission (Baccarat): A fee added to Banco bets.
• Commission (Casino): A fee taken by the casino from winnings to generate profit.
• Community Cards (Poker): Face-up cards shared by all players.
• Comps (Casino): Reward points earned in casino loyalty programs, redeemable for prizes or cash.
• Complete (Poker): A bet after the bring-in equal to the minimum limit in stud games.
• Connectors (Poker): Consecutive cards in rank.
• Continuation Bet (Poker): A bet on the flop by the player who raised pre-flop.
• Coordinated (Poker): A “wet” board with connected or suited cards.
• Copy (Poker): In baccarat, when the player and banker have identical hands, the banker wins.
• Corner Bet (Roulette): Betting on four numbers by placing chips at their intersecting corner.
• Counterfeit (Poker): A hand weakened because community cards improve an opponent’s hand.
• Coup (Poker): A single round of poker.
• Crack (Poker): Beating a very strong hand.
• Craps (Craps): A dice game predicting roll outcomes; also refers to rolls of 2, 3, or 12.
• Credit (Casino): Points used for betting in online casinos, typically equaling one unit of the player’s currency.
• Credit Button (Casino): A button to deposit money as credit into the bank.
• Croupier (Roulette): The dealer operating the roulette wheel and handling bets.
• Cut (Blackjack): After shuffling, dividing the deck into two parts and placing the bottom on top.
• Cutoff (Poker): The position to the right of the dealer button.
• Cycle (Video Poker): The average number of hands played between the highest payouts in video poker.

D

• D’Alembert (Roulette): A betting strategy doubling bets after losses, named after mathematician Jean de Rond d’Alembert.
• Dead Heat (Horse Racing): When two or more horses compete for the same position.
• Deal (Poker): Distributing cards to players.
• Dealer (Casino): A casino employee who deals cards and manages the game.
• Deposit (Casino): Transferring money to an online casino account for real-money play.
• Deposit Bonus (Casino): A bonus awarded on a player’s first deposit, often matching the amount.
• Deuce (Poker): A card with a rank of 2, regardless of suit.
• Dime (Sports Betting): A $1,000 bet.
• Dime Line (Sports Betting): A betting line with a 10% commission.
• Dog (Sports Betting): Short for “underdog,” the team or player expected to lose.
• Dog Player (Sports Betting): A bettor who typically wagers on underdogs.
• Dollar (Sports Betting): A $100 bet.
• Dolly (Roulette): A doll-shaped marker placed on the winning number to indicate the result.
• Dominated (Poker): A stronger hand that can beat another player’s hand.
• Don’t Come (Craps): Betting the shooter will lose.
• Don’t Pass Line (Craps): Betting the shooter will lose.
• Door Card (Poker): The first visible card in stud poker or the first revealed in the flop.
• Double (Craps): Betting on a number from 1 to 6, requiring both dice to show the chosen number to win.
• Double Down (Blackjack): Doubling the bet and receiving one additional card.
• Double Less (Blackjack): Doubling the bet with less than twice the original wager.
• Double or Nothing (Blackjack): Returning the same amount as the original bet.
• Down Card (Blackjack): A card dealt face-down.
• Down to the Felt (Gambling): When a player has no money left.
• Dozen Bet (Roulette): Betting on one of three groups of 12 numbers in roulette.
• Dragon Hand (Poker): A hand dealt to an empty seat.
• Draw (Blackjack): Another term for taking or receiving an additional card.
• Draw (Keno): The selection of 20 keno balls to determine winning numbers.
• Draw (Lottery): The outcome of a lottery game.
• Draw (Poker): Needing specific cards to complete a hand, e.g., needing one more heart for a flush.
• Draw Poker: A poker variant where players can discard and replace cards.
• Dead Card (Poker): A card that cannot help a player win.
• Draw Thin (Poker): Having few remaining cards that can improve a hand.
• Drop (Blackjack): Another term for folding or abandoning a hand.
• Drop Percentage (Casino): The portion of players’ cash retained by the casino due to the house edge.
• Dry (Poker): A board without connected or suited cards, often called “ragged.”
• Duo (Craps): Betting two of three dice will show two specific numbers.
• Double (Sic Bo): A Sic Bo bet predicting two dice will show specific numbers.

E

• Easy (Craps): A dice roll resulting in a number from different dice values, e.g., an “easy 6” (2 and 4 or 5 and 1).
• Easy Way (Craps): Rolling a 4, 6, 8, or 10 without paired dice.
• eCOGRA (Casino): An independent body auditing online casinos for fairness and proper operational standards.
• Edge (Gambling): An advantage over an opponent.
• Eighty-Sixed (86’d) (Casino): Banned from a casino for misconduct or cheating.
• En Prison (Roulette): A rule where even-money bets losing to 0 or 00 stay on the table for the next spin, offering a second chance.
• Encryption (Casino): A method using complex codes to secure online transactions and casino software.
• Equity (Poker): The expected share of the pot based on a player’s chances of winning.
• European Roulette: A roulette variant with 37 pockets, excluding a double zero.
• Even (Craps): Betting the total of three dice will be an even number.
• Even-Money Bet (Gambling): A bet returning the same amount as wagered.
• Exotic (Horse Racing): Any bet beyond win or place, also called prop or proposition bets.
• Expectation (Gambling): The average amount a player expects to win or lose based on odds for a given hand.
• Exposure (Sports Betting): The maximum amount a sportsbook could lose on a game.
• Eye in the Sky (Casino): Surveillance cameras monitoring games and ensuring security.

F

• 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 to sort chips by color, simplifying player assignments.
• Fifth Street (Poker): The third betting round in five-card poker.
• Fifty Cents (Gambling): A $50 bet.
• Figure (Gambling): The amount a bettor owes a bookmaker or vice versa.
• Fill (Poker): Drawing the card needed to complete a full house.
• Finale (Roulette): Betting on all numbers ending in the same digit (e.g., “final 7” covers 7, 17, 27).
• Final Four (Sports Betting): The last four teams in the NCAA basketball tournament.
• Final Gin (Roulette): Betting on 11, 22, and 33.
• Fire (Craps): Placing a large bet.
• First Base (Blackjack): The seat to the dealer’s left, receiving cards first.
• First Half Bet (Sports Betting): Betting only on the first half of a game.
• Fish (Poker): A player who frequently loses and bets on every hand, even weak ones.
• Five-Card Charlie (Blackjack): A rule where a five-card hand without busting wins.
• Five-Card Stud (Poker): A poker game with one face-down and four face-up cards, no community cards.
• Fixed Odds (Gambling): Unchanging odds, common in sports betting.
• Flash (Casino Software): An older online casino technology (Macromedia Flash) requiring no software download.
• Flash (Gambling): A sudden change in betting odds.
• Flash Board (Keno): A screen displaying drawn keno ticket numbers.
• Flat Bet (Gambling): Betting the same amount each round without variation.
• Flat Call (Poker): Calling without raising.
• Flat Top (Slots): A slot machine with a fixed jackpot rather than a progressive one.
• Flop (Poker): The first three community cards dealt face-up.
• Flush (Poker): Five cards of the same suit.
• Fold (Poker): Discarding cards and exiting the round.
• Forecast (Sports Betting): Betting on which team/player will finish first and second.
• Foul (Poker): An incorrectly set hand, e.g., setting a two-card hand higher than a five-card hand.
• Four Corners (Bingo): A winning bingo pattern matching the four corners of the card.
• Fourth Street (Poker): The second betting round when players have four of five cards.
• Free Card (Poker): The next card dealt when all players check, requiring no bet.
• Free Space (Bingo): The center square on a bingo card, usable to complete a winning pattern.
• Free Spin (Slots): A spin costing nothing but still offering real prizes.
• Freeroll (Poker): A tournament with no entry fee or risk of loss.
• Freezeout (Poker): A tournament where players cannot rebuy after losing all chips.
• Front Hand (Poker): In some poker games, the three-card hand, which must be the weakest of a player’s three hands.
• Front Line (Craps): Another term for the “pass line” bet.
• FTW (Casino Slang): Abbreviation for “for the win.”
• Full House (Poker): A hand with three cards of one rank and two of another (e.g., three Ks and two 5s).
• Full Table (Poker): A poker table with nine or ten players.
• Futures (Sports Betting): Betting on events occurring later, such as championship winners.

G

• Garbage Hand (Poker): A weak hand, typically not worth playing due to low winning chances.
• Get Gambling: To start betting.
• GG (Casino Slang): Abbreviation for “good game.”
• GLA (Casino Slang): Abbreviation for “good luck all.”
• Goose (Keno): A machine that shuffles and draws keno balls.
• Grand Salami (Sports Betting): The total goals scored across all hockey games on a given day.
• Grid (Sports Betting): A chart displaying betting options; online, players use it to place, adjust, or confirm bets.
• Grind (Poker): Playing many low-stakes poker games over time for steady profits; such players are called “grinders.”
• Gutshot (Poker): Another term for an inside straight draw, needing a specific middle card to complete a straight.

H

• Half-Time Bet (Sports Betting): Betting only on the second half of a game.
• Half Dollar (Gambling): A $50 bet.
• Hand (Gambling): The cards a player holds or plays; also, a single round between shuffles.
• Hand Behind (Poker): In some poker games, the five-card hand placed behind two cards.
• Hand in Front (Poker): In some poker games, the two-card hand placed in front of five cards.
• Handicap (Sports Betting): Another term for point spread.
• Handicapper (Sports Betting): Someone who sets point spreads.
• Handicapping (Sports Betting): Analyzing and predicting sports outcomes, often through research.
• Handle (Sports Betting): The total amount wagered on one or more events.
• Hard (Craps): Rolling the same number on both dice (e.g., a “hard 8” is two 4s).
• Hard Hand (Poker): A hand with only one value, either lacking an ace or where the ace must count as 1.
• Hard Way (Craps): Rolling a 4, 6, 8, or 10 with paired dice before a 7 or an easier combination.
• Hardway (Bingo): A straight-line pattern without using the free space.
• HE (Casino Slang): Abbreviation for Texas Hold’em.
• Heads-Up (Blackjack): A one-on-one game between a player and the dealer.
• Hedge (Sports Betting): Betting on the opposing side to reduce losses or guarantee a profit.
• Hi (Poker): Abbreviation for high poker.
• High Bet (Roulette): Betting on numbers 19 to 36.
• High Card (Poker): The highest card in a hand when no pair or better is made.
• 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 places large bets.
• Hijack (Poker): The seat to the right of the cutoff in a poker game.
• Hi-Lo (Craps): Betting the next roll will be a 2 or 12.
• Hit (Blackjack): Requesting another card.
• Hit (Slots): Achieving a winning combination on a spin.
• Hole Card (Blackjack): The dealer’s face-down card.
• Home-Field Advantage (Sports Betting): The expected advantage of a team playing at home.
• Hook (Sports Betting): Adding half a point to a point spread or total.
• Hop Bet (Craps): Betting the next roll will result in a specific combination.
• Horn Bet (Craps): Betting the next roll will be 2, 3, 11, or 12, with payouts in multiples of 4.
• Hot (Casino): A streak of continuous wins, for either a player or table.
• Hot (Slots): A slot machine that appears to pay out frequently.
• Hot Game (Sports Betting): A game heavily bet on by experts.
• Hot Table (Casino): A table where players frequently win.
• House (Casino): The casino itself.
• House Edge (Casino): The casino’s inherent advantage over players; a 5% edge means a player loses about 50 cents per $10 bet. Lower edges favor players.
• House Way (Poker): Official rules dealers must follow when setting hands.
• HU (Casino Slang): Abbreviation for “heads up.”

I

• Idiot End (Poker): The lowest straight, also called the “dumb end,” as it’s prone to losing.
• Implied Odds (Poker): The potential future bets you could win if you hit a winning hand, even if current odds seem unfavorable.
• In-and-Out Teaser (Sports Betting): A bet including a favorite, underdog, over, and under, all from the same game.
• Inside Bet (Roulette): Betting on specific numbers on the roulette table.
• Inside Straight Draw (Poker): A straight needing a specific middle card (e.g., 2-3-5 needing a 4).
• Instant Win (Lottery): A ticket revealing whether you’ve won immediately.
• Insurance (Blackjack): A side bet that the dealer has blackjack, offered when the dealer’s upcard is an ace.
• Isolate (Poker): Raising to force all but one player to fold, allowing a heads-up match.

J

• Jackpot (Gambling): A large cash prize, often the biggest in a game.
• Jacks or Better (Poker): A video poker variant requiring at least a pair of jacks to win.
• Joker (Poker): An extra card (one or two) in the deck, often acting as a wild card, typically used as an ace or to complete straights/flushes.
• Juice (Sports Betting): The fee charged by sportsbooks or bookmakers, also called “vig” or “vigorish.”
• Junket (Casino): A group of high rollers receiving special treatment, often flown in for free to gamble.

K

• Keno (Casino): A lottery-style game where players pick numbers from 1 to 80, hoping they match drawn numbers; popular in Canada.
• Kicker (Poker): A side card not contributing to the hand’s rank but used to break ties when players have the same main hand.
• King Ticket (Keno): A special keno ticket where a single number (“K”) is combined with others for multiple bets on one ticket; multiple “Ks” are possible.

L

• La Grande (Baccarat): A two-card hand totaling nine points.
• La Petite (Baccarat): A two-card hand totaling eight points.
• Lady (Poker): Nickname for a queen card.
• Lay (Craps): Betting a number will roll before a 7.
• Lay Down (Poker): Folding a hand.
• Lay Odds (Sports Betting): Betting on a favorite with better odds (winning more than wagered).
• Lay Points (Sports Betting): Betting on a favorite and giving up points.
• Lay Price (Sports Betting): Accepting worse odds but still betting on the favorite.
• Layoff (Sports Betting): A bookmaker placing a bet with another bookmaker to balance risk.
• Let It Ride (Poker): Using winnings from one bet to place the next bet.
• Limit (Gambling): A game with fixed maximum bets.
• Limit (Sports Betting): The maximum amount a sportsbook accepts before changing odds.
• Limp (Poker): Calling the big blind instead of raising.
• Linesmaker (Sports Betting): The person setting betting odds, also called an “oddsmaker.”
• Line Odds (Sports Betting): The odds available for betting.
• Little Joe (Craps): A hard 4 (two 2s), also called “Kokomo’s Little Joe.”
• Live Dealer Games (Casino): Online casino games with real dealers, streamed for player interaction.
• Low (Poker): Another term for low poker.
• Lock (Gambling): A bet highly likely to win.
• Long Odds (Sports Betting): Odds greater than 10:1.
• Longshot (Gambling): A bet with a low chance of winning.
• Loose (Poker): A player who plays many hands, even weak ones.
• Low Bet (Roulette): Betting 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 identical low numbers (1, 2, or 3).

M

• Maniac (Poker): A reckless player who bets and raises frequently.
• Margin (Sports Betting): The point difference between a game’s winner and loser.
• Mark (Keno): A mark on a keno ticket indicating the player’s chosen numbers.
• Martingale (Roulette): A betting system doubling bets after each loss, adding one unit (e.g., $2 loss leads to $3, then $7, $15, etc.).
• Middle (Sports Betting): Betting on both teams with different point spreads to win both bets.
• Middle Hand (Poker): In some poker games, the second five-card hand, weaker than the back hand but stronger than the front hand.
• Middle Pair (Poker): A pair using a middle-ranked card from the flop.
• Miss (Poker): Failing to complete a desired hand.
• Moneyline (Sports Betting): A direct bet on which team or player will win, without a point spread.
• Monkey (Poker): Nickname for a 10 or face card.
• Monster (Poker): A very strong hand.
• Move Line (Sports Betting): Paying extra to adjust the point spread in your favor.
• Muck (Poker): Discarding cards face-down.
• Multiplier (Poker): A special wild card that increases payouts when part of a winning hand.
• Multi-Game Ticket (Keno): A keno ticket allowing multiple games with the same bet.
• Multi-Table Tournament (MTT) (Poker): A poker tournament with multiple tables of players.
• Multi-Tabling (Poker): Playing on multiple online poker tables simultaneously.

N

• N1 (Casino Slang): Abbreviation for “nice one.”
• Natural (Blackjack): A two-card hand totaling 21, automatically winning.
• Natural (Craps): Rolling a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll.
• Natural (Baccarat): A two-card hand totaling 8 or 9.
• NH (Casino Slang): Abbreviation for “nice hand.”
• Nickel (Gambling): A $500 bet.
• Nickel Line (Sports Betting): A sportsbook commission of 5%.
• Nina from Pasadena (Craps): Betting the next roll will be a 9.
• NL (Casino Slang): Abbreviation for “no-limit.”
• Null (Sports Betting): A canceled bet where no one wins or loses.
• No-Limit (Gambling): A game with no upper betting limit per round.
• No-Deposit Bonus (Casino): Free casino funds given to new players without requiring a deposit, often with usage restrictions.
• Nosebleed (Gambling): Extremely high-stakes play.
• NP (Casino Slang): Abbreviation for “nice play” or “no problem.”
• Nut Low (Poker): The best low hand in a poker game.
• Nuts (Poker): Holding both the best high and low hands in a split-pot game.
• Nuts (Poker): The best possible hand at a given moment.

O

• Odds (Gambling): The adjusted probability of winning offered by sportsbooks to ensure profit.
• Off the Board (Sports Betting): A game temporarily unavailable for betting.
• Off-Suit (Poker): Cards of different suits.
• Omaha (Poker): A poker game similar to Texas Hold’em, with four hole cards; players must use two hole cards and three community cards for the best hand.
• On (Bingo): When a player needs one more number to win.
• On Tilt (Poker): Losing control and betting recklessly due to bad luck.
• One-Roll Bet (Craps): A bet resolved by the next roll.
• Online Casino: A virtual casino for online gaming; some allow browser play, others require software downloads.
• Open (Bingo): When a casino accepts bets for the next keno draw.
• Open (Poker): The first bet in a round.
• Open-Ended Straight Draw (Poker): A straight that can be completed with one of two possible cards (e.g., 2-3-4-5 needing an A or 6).
• Out (Poker): A card that, if drawn, makes you the winner.
• Outdraw (Poker): Drawing better cards to achieve a stronger hand than an opponent.
• Outlaw Line (Sports Betting): Initial betting odds available only to select bettors.
• Outside Bet (Roulette): Bets on red/black, even/odd, or high/low, covering larger table sections.
• Overcard (Poker): A hole card higher than any community card.
• Overpair (Poker): A pair of hole cards higher than all community cards.
• Over/Under (Sports Betting): Betting whether the total score will be above or below a set number.
• Overbet (Poker): Betting more than the pot’s current amount.
• Overcall (Bingo): A number drawn more frequently than usual, also called a “hot” number.
• Overdue (Bingo): A number not drawn for a while, feeling “due” to appear.
• Overlay (Poker): When a poker room adds funds to a prize pool beyond player contributions.
• Overlay (Sports Betting): When odds are higher than they should be, giving bettors an advantage.

P

• 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, often across multiple games; all bets must win for a payout.
• Pass (Poker): Folding or declining to bet.
• Pass Line (Craps): Betting the shooter will win.
• Passive (Poker): A player who bets or raises infrequently, typically only calling.
• Pat (Blackjack): Stopping at a hand of at least 17 points.
• Pat (Poker): Keeping a hand without drawing new cards.
• Payout Table (Poker): A chart showing winnings for different hand combinations.
• Payline (Slots): A line on a slot machine that pays out for winning combinations; can be straight or other shapes.
• Payout (Gambling): Money won from a bet.
• Payout Percentage (Gambling): The percentage of bets returned to players over time (e.g., 96% means $96 returned per $100 wagered).
• Pick (Sports Betting): The bet placed on a game or event.
• Pineapple (Poker): A Texas Hold’em variant where players start with three hole cards, discarding one after the flop.
• Place (Poker): Finishing in the top three or four in a tournament.
• Place Bet (Craps): Betting a specific number will roll before a 7 or the point.
• Playthrough Requirement (Casino): The number of times or amount you must wager before withdrawing a bonus.
• Pocket Cards (Poker): Face-down cards dealt to each player.
• Pocket Pair (Poker): A pair formed by two hole cards of the same rank.
• Point (Craps): The number established by the come-out roll, which must be rolled again before a 7.
• Point Spread (Sports Betting): Points given to the underdog to balance betting odds.
• Poker: A card game where the best hand wins according to set rules.
• Pokies (Slots): Australian and New Zealand term for slot machines.
• Position (Gambling): The order of player actions in a round; early positions act first, late positions last.
• Post (Poker): Adding chips to the pot, typically as an ante or blind.
• Postage Stamp (Bingo): A bingo pattern covering the card’s four corners.
• Pot (Poker): The total money or chips collected from bets in a round.
• Pot-Limit (Gambling): A game where the maximum bet equals the current pot size.
• Pot Odds (Poker): The ratio of the pot’s funds to the cost of calling a bet.
• Powerball (Lottery): A lottery won by matching five numbers plus a bonus number.
• Press (Gambling): Betting more than usual, often with prior winnings.
• Progressive Jackpot (Slots): A jackpot that grows over time until won, often linked across multiple machines.
• Progressive Slot (Slots): A slot game connected to a larger network, with jackpots increasing as more play.
• Prop Bet (Sports Betting): Betting on specific events, like who scores first, or non-sports events like politics.
• Puckline (Sports Betting): A hockey betting line allowing bets on the point spread, not just the winner.
• Pull Tab (Lottery): A lottery ticket revealing numbers or symbols by pulling off a cover.
• Punto (Baccarat): The player or a bet on the player winning.
• Punto Banco (Casino): Another name for baccarat.
• Puppy (Sports Betting): The underdog or team less likely to win.
• Push (Blackjack): A tie where neither player nor dealer wins; the player retrieves their bet.

Q

• Quads (Poker): A hand with four cards of the same rank.
• Quarter Bet (Roulette): A single bet on four numbers, similar to a corner bet.
• Quick Pick (Lottery): A lottery where numbers are chosen by a computer, also called a lucky dip.

R

• Rabbit Hunting (Poker): Revealing cards that would have been dealt if the hand continued.
• Rag (Poker): A card that doesn’t improve a hand.
• Rail (Casino): Watching casino games without participating.
• Rainbow (Poker): A flop with three or four different suits.
• Raise (Poker): Increasing the bet, at least doubling the blind or ante.
• Rake (Poker): The fee or percentage a casino takes from each poker hand played.
• Random Number Generator (Slots): A system ensuring fair, random casino game outcomes.
• Rank (Poker): The value of a card.
• Rebet (Gambling): Betting the same amount as the previous round.
• Rebuy (Poker): Purchasing more chips after running out or being eliminated.
• Redraw (Poker): A strong hand with potential to improve further.
• Reels (Slots): The spinning components of a slot machine displaying symbols to determine wins.
• Reload Bonus (Casino): A bonus offered when making a new deposit.
• Represent (Poker): Acting to suggest you hold a specific hand.
• Return (Gambling): The total amount won from a bet.
• Reverse Tell (Poker): Deliberately using actions or body language to mislead opponents about your hand.
• Right Bettor (Craps): Someone betting with the shooter.
• Ring Game (Poker): A regular, non-tournament poker game.
• River (Poker): The final community card dealt in poker.
• RNG (Slots): Abbreviation for random number generator.
• Roll (Casino): A player’s funds or total available money.
• Roll Up (Poker): In seven-card stud, starting with three cards of the same rank.
• Roulette: A game with a spinning wheel containing 37 or 38 pockets to determine the winning number.
• Rounder (Poker): A skilled player who earns a living playing poker.
• Royal Flush (Poker): The highest-ranking hand, consisting of A, K, Q, J, and 10, all of the same suit.
• Royalty (Poker): A special reward for achieving a strong hand like quads or a straight.
• Runner (Sports Betting): A list of betting lines for a specific date or event.
• Run Line (Sports Betting): A point spread bet used in baseball instead of a moneyline.
• Runner (Sports Betting): Someone placing bets for another person.

S

• Scalper (Sports Betting): Someone profiting by betting on both sides of a game at different odds across sportsbooks.
• Scare Card (Poker): A community card that could improve an opponent’s hand.
• Scared Money (Gambling): Money a player can’t afford to lose or bets too high for their bankroll.
• Scatter Symbol (Slots): A special symbol paying out when two or more appear anywhere on the screen, even outside paylines; can trigger free spins or bonus rounds.
• Scoop (Poker): Winning the entire pot, typically in high-low split games.
• Scout (Sports Betting): Someone waiting for favorable betting opportunities.
• Scratch Card (Lottery): A lottery ticket revealing numbers or symbols by scratching off a cover.
• Second Pair (Poker): A pair including a community card, but not the best pair in the hand.
• See (Poker): To call a bet.
• Semi-Bluff (Poker): Betting or raising with a weak hand that could become strong.
• Set (Poker): Three cards of the same rank, typically two hole cards and one community card.
• Seven-Card Stud (Poker): A poker game without community cards, with players receiving a mix of face-up and face-down cards over multiple betting rounds.
• Seven Out (Craps): Rolling a 7 before the point, losing pass line bets.
• Seventh Street (Poker): The final betting round when all players have seven cards.
• Sh (Casino Slang): Short-handed, meaning fewer players than usual.
• Shark (Poker): A highly skilled poker player.
• Shill (Casino): A casino employee playing games to make them appear more active.
• Shooter (Craps): The person rolling the dice.
• Short Stack (Poker): Having fewer chips than others, typically less than 100 big blinds.
• Shorthanded (Poker): A game with fewer players than usual.
• Showdown (Poker): When players reveal cards at a hand’s end to determine the winner.
• Shutout (Sports Betting): Attempting to bet after betting closes or when a losing team fails to score.
• Sic Bo: A dice game where players bet on outcomes of three dice rolls.
• Side Pot (Poker): A separate pot created when one or more players are all-in, but others continue betting.
• Sides (Sports Betting): Two competing teams or players, one the underdog, the other the favorite.
• Simple Bet (Craps): Betting on a single number, with payouts depending on how many dice match it.
• Single Bet (Sports Betting): A bet on a team or athlete to win, also called a straight bet.
• Single-Table Tournament (STT) (Poker): A poker tournament with one table.
• Sixth Street (Poker): The fourth betting round in seven-card stud.
• Slot Machine (Casino): A machine with spinning reels displaying symbols, with wins based on combinations.
• Slow Play (Poker): Playing a strong hand weakly to entice larger bets from opponents.
• Small Bet (Craps): Betting the total of three dice will be 4 to 10.
• Small Blind (Poker): A mandatory bet by the player to the dealer’s left.
• Smooth Call (Poker): Calling without raising, also called flat calling.
• Snake Eyes (Craps): Rolling two 1s.
• Soft Hand (Blackjack): A hand with an ace valued as either 1 or 11.
• Special (Poker): A game using a non-standard deck.
• Speed Bingo (Bingo): A fast-paced bingo game with quick number calls and fewer numbers needed to win.
• Split (Blackjack): Dividing two initial cards of the same rank into two hands.
• Split Pair (Poker): In seven-card stud, a pair formed by one hole card matching an upcard.
• Split Pot (Poker): When the pot is divided among two or more players.
• Split Ticket (Keno): A keno ticket combining two or more basic tickets, evaluated separately.
• Sports Lottery (Lottery): A lottery where winners are determined by sports game outcomes.
• Sportsbook (Sports Betting): A place or website accepting bets.
• Spot (Keno): A number chosen on a keno ticket.
• Spread (Sports Betting): A point handicap to balance betting odds.
• Square (Sports Betting): A novice or inexperienced sports bettor.
• Square Pair (Craps): A specific craps bet term (e.g., Ada from Decatur).
• Sss (Casino Slang): Short-stacked, meaning a player has few chips.
• Staggered Payout (Slots): A payout system where higher bets yield larger wins.
• Stakes (Poker): The highest betting limits at a poker table, including blind amounts.
• Standoff (Poker): A tie when two hands have the same value.
• Steam (Slots): When reels spin rapidly, often indicating consecutive wins.
• Steam (Poker): A term for “tilting” or performing poorly due to frustration.
• Sticky Bonus (Casino): A non-cashable bonus usable for further play.
• Store (Sports Betting): Another term for a sportsbook.
• Straddle (Poker): An optional extra blind, typically double the big blind, placed by the player to the big blind’s left.
• Straight (Poker): Five consecutive cards of any suit.
• Straight Bet (Roulette): Betting on a single number in roulette.
• Straight Bet (Sports Betting): A bet on a team or athlete to win.
• Straight Flush (Poker): Five consecutive cards of the same suit (not a royal flush).
• Straight Ticket (Keno): A keno ticket with numbers selected in a simple line.
• Street Bet (Roulette): Betting on three consecutive numbers on the roulette table.
• Strong Bet (Craps): Betting on all three dice, e.g., all showing the same number.
• Stud Poker (Poker): A poker variant with some cards face-up and others face-down.
• Suit (Poker): The category of a card: hearts, diamonds, spades, or clubs.
• Suited Connectors (Poker): Two consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 7♠ and 8♠).
• Super Stud (Poker): A Caribbean Stud variant with a progressive jackpot.
• Surrender (Blackjack): Forfeiting half the bet to abandon a hand.
• Symbol (Slots): Pictures or numbers on slot reels determining winning combinations.

T

• Table (Poker): Showing cards face-up at a hand’s end.
• Tai Sai (Sic Bo): Another name for Sic Bo.
• Take Odds (Sports Betting): Accepting a bet with lower odds for the opponent.
• Take Points (Sports Betting): Betting on the underdog with a point spread advantage.
• Take the Price (Sports Betting): Betting on the underdog and accepting moneyline odds.
• Tank (Gambling): Taking extra time to think before deciding.
• Tapped Out (Gambling): Out of money to play.
• Teaser (Sports Betting): A bet on multiple teams with adjusted point spreads in your favor; all selections must win for a payout.
• Tell (Poker): A subtle clue in a player’s behavior, like gestures or expressions, revealing hand strength.
• Texas Blackout (Bingo): A fast-paced bingo game where all odd or even numbers (based on the first call) are auto-marked, aiming for a blackout.
• Texas Hold’em (Poker): A popular poker game where players get two private cards and share five community cards; the best five-card hand wins.
• The Cage (Casino): The area in a casino for exchanging cash and chips.
• Third Base (Blackjack): The last seat at a blackjack table before the dealer acts.
• Third Street (Poker): The first betting round in seven-card stud when players have three cards.
• Three of a Kind (Poker): A hand with three cards of the same rank.
• Ticket (Keno): A form with numbers 1 to 80 for keno betting.
• Ticket (Sports Betting): A printed receipt showing sports bets.
• Tie (Sports Betting): A bet where the final score matches the sportsbook’s odds, resulting in no win or loss.
• Tight (Poker): A cautious player who only plays strong hands.
• Tilt (Gambling): Making poor decisions due to frustration or losses.
• Toke (Casino): A tip given to the dealer.
• Top Pair (Poker): A pair using the highest card on the flop.
• Total (Craps): Betting on the combined value of three dice.
• Total (Sports Betting): The combined score, goals, or runs in a game, also called over/under.
• Totals Bet (Sports Betting): Betting whether a game’s total score will be above or below a set number.
• Tournament (Keno): A series of keno games with winners based on overall performance.
• Trey (Gambling): The number three.
• Triple (Craps): Betting all three dice will show the same number.
• Trips (Poker): Three of a kind using one hole card and two community cards.
• True Odds (Sports Betting): The actual probability of an event, unadjusted by sportsbooks.
• Turkey (Poker): A rude or disrespectful player.
• Turn (Poker): The fourth community card dealt in Texas Hold’em.
• TY (Casino Slang): Abbreviation for “thank you.”

U

• Under (Sports Betting): Betting a game’s total score will be below the set number.
• Under the Gun (Poker): The first player to act in a hand, to the left of the big blind.
• Underdog (Sports Betting): The team or player expected to lose, often called a “dog.”
• Upcard (Poker): A card dealt face-up for all to see.
• UTG (Casino Slang): Abbreviation for “under the gun,” the first player to act in a poker hand.

V

• Value (Sports Betting): Securing the best betting odds to maximize potential profits.
• Value Bet (Poker): Betting to induce calls from weaker hands, increasing potential profits.
• Variance (Poker): The ups and downs in poker results over time.
• Video Poker (Casino): A game resembling five-card draw poker but played like a slot machine.
• Vigorish (Sports Betting): The fee taken by sportsbooks from losing bets, also called “juice” or “vig.”
• Virgin (Bingo): A number combination never called before.
• Virtual Casino Games (Casino): Online casino games run by software using a random number generator (RNG) for outcomes.

W

• Wad (Casino): Another term for a player’s gambling funds.
• Wager (Gambling): Another term for a bet.
• Wagering Requirement (Casino): The number of times or amount a bonus must be wagered before withdrawal, also called playthrough requirement.
• Way Ticket (Keno): A keno ticket where players select multiple number groups combined for multiple bets on one ticket.
• Weak Bet (Craps): Betting a specific number will appear on only one die.
• Wet Board (Poker): A board with multiple draw possibilities and strong hands.
• Whale (Poker): A wealthy player betting large amounts, not necessarily skilled.
• Wheel (Poker): A straight from A to 5 (A-2-3-4-5).
• Whiff (Poker): Completely missing a draw.
• Wild Card (Poker): A card substituting for any other to form a stronger hand (e.g., a joker).
• Wild Number (Bingo): In a bingo game, the first called number sets a “wild” number; any number ending in it is auto-marked.
• Wild Symbol (Slots): A special symbol substituting for others to form winning combinations; some increase payouts.
• Wired Card (Poker): A strong starting hand, like a pair or three of a kind dealt consecutively.
• Wiseguy (Sports Betting): A skilled bettor or predictor knowledgeable about odds.
• Writer (Keno): A casino employee managing keno games and accepting bets.

Y

• YHS (Casino Slang): Abbreviation for “your hand sucks,” describing a poor hand.
• Yo (Casino Slang): Another name for the number 11 in craps.
• YW (Casino Slang): Abbreviation for “you’re welcome.”

3

• 3-Bet (Poker): Raising after an initial bet and a first raise.

4

• 4-Bet (Poker): Raising after a 3-bet.