The Language of Gambling – A Glossary of Terms Every Casino Player Should Know
Casino gambling jargon can be daunting to newcomers. This glossary will help novice players navigate the language of gambling and gain more confidence at the table.
Chips – small tokens used to represent money in casino games. A dealer might say “The action is on you”, meaning it is your turn to act.
Table games
Table games in casinos allow players to utilize strategy more actively than pulling a slot lever (virtual or real). Bets are placed using tokens that represent money. A casino employee known as a croupier facilitates and oversees payments for table games.
Table games are an exciting form of gambling that often brings newcomers into the fold. But table games can also be complex for those not familiar with them – this article will help clarify some common terms used when discussing table games as well as explain how and what rules govern their use.
Slot machines
Slot machines are gambling machines that offer winnings based on the combination of symbols that line up when their reels stop spinning, otherwise known as one-armed bandits and fruit machines. Most versions contain levers or buttons for activating reels, handles for dispensing winning combinations of symbols, and credit meter displays which shows how much money is available.
The credit meter is located on the glass above each machine, displaying information such as denomination, brand and style as well as jackpot amount. Additionally, this indicator flashes when cash is accepted into the machine or there is some kind of technical problem with its operation.
Craps
Craps is a casino game in which players compete against the house by betting against it. Bettors stand around a large rectangular craps table and use casino chips instead of cash to place bets – the bets are then arranged in a square pattern on its “layout.” Bettors may opt to bet either against or with the house; each bet must be placed correctly for it.
Craps originated in America as an adaptation of western European gambling game hazard and quickly gained traction during World War II when young American men from all socioeconomic classes joined military service.
“Hop bet” refers to single-roll bets on two, three, or eleven numbers which pay 30 to 1. If successful, winning hop bets pay 30-1 on average.
Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most beloved casino games. Additionally, it is one of the safest bets you can place provided you understand basic game strategy. When an initial two-card hand totaling 21 points has been scored by a blackjack player they may double down by taking another two card hand that totals 21.
Chip color-up occurs when a player swaps multiple small denomination chips for larger ones of equal value in order to increase his odds of victory and create an edge over opponents.
GambleAware recently conducted a study which revealed that stigmatising language was commonly employed within gambling-related studies and services. This could prevent individuals from seeking help, lead to miscommunication, misrepresentations and discrimination between different people who gamble, as well as create mistrust and inequality within society.
Roulette
Roulette is a game of chance in which players make bets on which of the red or black compartments on a spinning wheel a small ball will rest when it eventually stops rotating. It is one of the world’s most beloved casino games; although its prominence has since been eclipsed by craps, blackjack, and poker.
Players place bets by placing chips onto a roulette mat, often marked in French. Inside and outside bets can both be classified as inside bets; inside bets have smaller stakes while larger bets fall outside this definition. Over the years, many players have attempted to beat roulette using betting systems; one common method involves doubling your bet after every loss – this can eventually lead to significant financial losses though!
Poker
Poker is an increasingly popular modern casino game that combines skill with high replay value, likened to slot machines but offering more complex strategies and better odds.
Hopper fill slip is a document used to keep track of replenishments made to the coin hopper of casino slot machines due to player wins. It includes signatures of employees involved with this transaction as well as details such as amount added and date.
Credit Limit A casino’s maximum spending limit per player, measured using an instrument called a marker that looks similar to a check, is called its credit limit.
