Live Casino Wordlist

New to the online casino scene in New Zealand and want to get your head around all the lingo? Or maybe you just need a quick refresher? You’ve landed in the right spot! We’ve gathered all the essential casino terms you need to know, right here.

A

ACS - An acronym for Automatic Card Shuffler.

Action - Refers to the total amount of money a player wagers over a specific period.

Alias - In live dealer games, you might need to choose a username or alias to play. Pick one that suits you!

Android Casino - As Android devices are ubiquitous in New Zealand, most online casinos offer mobile-friendly games adapted for Android smartphones and tablets.

Ante - An initial bet that's required before a hand in card games can begin. Think of it as an entry fee.

Auto-play - A handy feature on many online pokies (slot machines) that allows you to set a number of spins to play automatically.

Automatic Card Shuffler - A machine that shuffles one or more decks of cards automatically. You'll mostly find these in bricks-and-mortar casinos.

Avalanche Function - Some online pokies have an 'avalanche' or 'cascading symbols' feature. When you get a win, the winning symbols disappear, and new ones tumble down, potentially creating more wins in the same round. You might see this in games like ELK Studio's Bompers slot.

B

Banker - In games like Baccarat, the Banker is a betting option. The dealer usually manages the Banker position, handling bets and payouts.

Bankroll - The total sum of money you've set aside and are prepared to use for gambling. Managing your bankroll is key to responsible play.

Basic Strategy (Blackjack) - For Blackjack, this is a mathematically derived strategy that helps players make the best decision at every point to maximise their Return to Player (RTP). Essential for smart play!

Bet / Casino - When playing any casino game with real money, you'll need to place a bet. This is the stake you put down on the outcome of a game, round, or spin. Bet Limits - Most casino games have minimum and maximum bet limits. For instance, at a Blackjack table, you might find limits ranging from $5 to $500.

Bet Max - On online pokies and some other games, this button allows you to instantly place the highest possible bet for that round.

Betting Layout - The area on a gaming table where players place their bets, often marked with numbers or specific bet zones (like in Roulette).

Betting Limits - The minimum and maximum stakes allowed at a particular gaming table or on a specific game.

Bonus - Bonuses are special offers from online casinos. These can include free spins, bonus cash, or other perks to enhance your gameplay. Many are triggered by a deposit, but some no-deposit bonuses are also available.

Bonus Feature - An extra feature within a slot game, often triggered by landing specific symbols. Bonus games can include free spins, multipliers, or mini-games that offer bigger win potential.

Bonus symbol - Landing a certain number of these symbols (usually three or more) on the reels is typically how you trigger a bonus game or free spins.

Burn Card - The top card of a deck that is discarded face down before play begins. This is common in card games like Blackjack.

Bust - In Blackjack, if your hand total exceeds 21, you 'bust' and automatically lose the round.

C

Cage - In land-based casinos, this refers to the area where large amounts of cash are securely stored.

Card counting (Blackjack) - A card counting is an advanced strategy used in Blackjack where players try to track the ratio of high to low cards remaining in the shoe to gain an advantage. It's complex and not allowed in all casinos.

Card Counting - A strategy aiming to gain an edge by tracking cards dealt. Often associated with Blackjack. Card Shark - A skilled card player, often implying someone who wins consistently, sometimes at the expense of less experienced players. Card Sharp - Another term for a Card Shark. Card Washing - A shuffling technique that involves spreading cards across the table in a sweeping motion.

Cashback - A popular offer with online casinos in New Zealand, where you get a percentage of your net losses back. It's a great way to soften the blow of a losing streak.

Cash Bonus - A bonus in the form of real money that can be withdrawn after meeting specific wagering requirements.

Cash Out - An option available in some sports betting and online casino games that allows you to settle your bet before the event concludes, either to secure a profit or minimise a loss.

Cashier’s Desk - In physical casinos, this is where you exchange cash for chips or vice versa.

Chasing - When a player continues to bet aggressively after a series of losses, hoping to win back their lost money. It's generally considered a risky strategy.

Chip Tray - A tray or container used by dealers to hold casino chips and coins.

Chips - Small, coloured tokens used as currency within casinos. They represent the real money you're betting with.

Coat Tail - A player who bets on the same numbers or outcomes as a recent winner, essentially 'riding their coat tails'.

Cold Streak - When a player experiences a prolonged period of losses. Everyone hits one now and then!

Comp (Complimentary) - Perks or freebies offered by casinos to reward players, based on their gaming activity. This can include free drinks, meals, or even hotel stays.

Comp Hustling - A term for players who try to unduly extend their playtime or seek out extra perks to maximise their comps.

Comp Points - Common in online casinos, these are points awarded for playing games, which can often be redeemed for bonus cash or other rewards.

Continuous Shuffling Machine - A device that continuously shuffles cards as they are played, used in some card games.

Croupier - Another term for a dealer, the person employed by the casino to manage the game, collect bets, and pay winnings.

CSM - Abbreviation for Continuous Shuffling Machine.

Cut Card - A blank card that a dealer places in a deck of cards to signify where the cut should be made. It helps ensure a random shuffle.

D

Dealer - Also known as a Croupier, this is the casino employee who runs the game at a table.

Deck Penetration - In card games like Blackjack, this refers to how many cards the dealer goes through before reshuffling the deck. Better penetration can favour the player.

Deposit - Adding funds to your online casino account. This is usually done via various payment methods available in New Zealand.

Deposit Bonus - A bonus offered by online casinos when you make a deposit. Often, it's a percentage match of your deposit amount.

Deposit Method - The various ways you can add money to your online casino account, such as credit/debit cards, bank transfers, or popular e-wallets in New Zealand.

Dice Control - A debated theory suggesting players can influence dice rolls in games like Craps to achieve specific outcomes. Highly controversial and not a verifiable skill.

Dirty Money - A slang term for money earned by the casino from players' losses.

Discard Tray - A container held by the dealer holding used or discarded cards.

Double Down - When playing Blackjack, players gets the opportunity to double their hand after the first two cards. If a player selects "Double", a gambler can only receive one more card.

Down Card - Cards dealt face down.

Download Casino - Online casino games that require downloading software to play.

E

eCOGRA - Testing and standards organization that specializes in online gambling (E-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance)

Edge - Calculating a higher probability of occurrence for a bet than the odds you receive.

Encryption - Used by online casinos to protect money and information from hackers.

Even Money Bet - Wagering money when the odds are equal. The better can lose or win the same amount.

Expanding Wild - When playing slots, a gambler will come across all sorts of wild symbols and one of them is expanding wilds. This means that the wild symbol expands and gives gamblers more wilds on the board.

Expected Win Rate - The amount of money a player is expected to wine over a period of time.

Eye in the Sky - Closed circuit cameras used for monitoring a casino.

F

Face Card - Any jack, queen, or king card.

Face Down Card - See Down Card.

Face Up Card - Cards dealt face up.

Flash Casino - An online casino that uses an Adobe Flash plugin, where players can access games from a web browser.

Flat Betting - When a player bets the same amount each time.

Flush - When playing Blackjack a gambler can make a side bet. One of the side bets pays if a gambler receives the same suit on the first two cards together with the dealer's first.

Free Spins - A gambler can be offered a certain number of Free Spins in a welcome bonus. The opportunity to spin in a selected slot without having to bet any money. Sometimes the Free Spins come with wagering requirements and sometimes without.

Free bonus - A free bonus is a bonus that the casino gives to players without any deposit requirements, this is usually in connection with registering and opening an account with the casino.

G

Gambler’s Fallacy - A false belief that something is more or less likely to happen based on how many times it has happened before.

George - A term used by the Dealer for a big-tipping player.

Gross Winnings - The difference between how much a player bets and how much they win.

H

Hearts - One of the two suits of a deck of cards and one of the four suits.

High Roller - A player who consistently bets large sums of money.

Hit - When you play Blackjack, you always get two cards in your hand. If you want a third card say or click "Hit". The dealer then gives you a third card.

Hot Streak - When a player has a long-lasting winning run.

Hot Table - When players at a specific table keep winning.

House - Another term for Casino.

House Edge - The advantage a casino has to make money over players.

House Rules - Rules that are specific to a casino.

J

Jackpot - A large prize amount often associated with slot machines.

L

Layout - Markings on a game table dividing the surface into sections.

Live Dealer Games - An in-person casino game with a human Dealer, as opposed to an online casino game with a computer Dealer.

Lobby - Where players can see all games available in online casinos.

Loose Slot - A slot machine with a high payout.

Loyalty Program - A membership for casinos. Players can connect their cards to the membership so that when makes transactions, they can gain rewards.

M

Marker - Similar to a short-term loan or a line of credit, a player can borrow money from a casino to bet.

Maximum Bet - The highest a player can bet during a game.

Minimum Bet - The lowest a player can bet during a game.

Mobile Casino - A mobile casino is where you can play all online games on your phone.

Multi-Hand - Game When players use multiple hands at once during a game. A bet must be made from each hand.

Multi-Player Game - When players use only one hand at a time during a game.

N

Net Winnings - The amount a casino makes after prizes and winnings are distributed after a game is played.

No deposit bonus - A no deposit bonus is a bonus that you get without having to make a deposit.

O

Odds - The chances of winning or losing during a game.

Optimal Strategy - A “correct” way to play to give players a better chance at winning.

Open Card - When playing Blackjack, a player can choose a table where the dealer shows both his cards instead of one. This gives a clear advantage, but at the same time, the dealer always wins equally, which means that the player’s advantage quickly disappears.

P

Paint - Slang term for Face Card.

Payout - The money given to a player after a winning bet.

Payout Odds - How much a player will win from a bet, relative to the stake. This means for 3:1, a player will win $3 for every $1 put down.

Payout Percentage - How much money is returned to a player. For example, if a player’s payout percentage is 90%, for every $10 wagered, they will win $9.

Payout Table - Shows how much can be won on a specific game.

Payline - A pay line is the same as a paytable. It is a line where winnings are paid out in the game.

Pit - Areas that break up a casino. Each pit has a designated number of tables for games.

Pit Boss - An employee who oversees an individual pit.

Play Bonus - For online gambling, this can be used for wagering only. It can’t be withdrawn.

Play For Fun - For online casinos, games with no winnings that are offered to players who don’t put down any money.

Progression Betting - Broken into two styles. 1. Positive betting, which means when a player increases their stake after a win, and 2. Negative betting, which means a player decreases their stake after a win.

Progressive Jackpot - A Jackpot that grows until it is one.

Put - Slang for a Tie in a game.

R

Reload Bonus - The reload bonus is given to loyal players at a casino. It is granted when gamblers deposit more money in their casino accounts. A "top-up bonus" and means that you get an extra penny if you choose to top up your gaming account.

Re-spins - In some slots you can get re-spins. This means that you get a free spin if you succeed in fulfilling the function.

RTP - RTP stands for return to player and is the payback percentage. Most often you will find RTP in a slot and can see how much is refunded to players.

S

Shoe - A container that holds and dispenses cards at a game table.

Shuffle - When a dealer mixes the cards to keep the order anonymous.

Side Bet - A bet placed on an outcome not related to the result of the game. For example, betting that your first card is higher than 10.

Sign Up Bonus - For online casinos, incentive given to player when they first join.

Slots - A slot machine is a casino game that has spinning reels. The reels contain symbols on them. If the symbols line up, a prize is won. The price depends on where the different symbols land.

Stake - A bet size.

Sticky Bonus - Slang for Play Bonus.

Stiff -A term used by the Dealer for a player who doesn’t tip.

Split - When a player gets the same value on both cards when playing blackjack, there is an opportunity to split them. Another card on each will be dealt. Now there are two playing hands that must match the initial wager for the new second hand.

T

Table - Hold A gaming table’s profit after a set period of time.

Table Limit - The minimum and maximum amounts of money that players can bet on one hand.

Tilt - To play recklessly due to emotions, typically caused by losing.

Toke - Slang for tip given to Dealer.

True Odds - The odds of a bet based on probability.

Turnover Requirement - An expression that is used to describe the amount wagered. Meaning placing bets with the money that´s been deposited.

Tournament - Allows players to make bets with a minimum rate that competes with other players.

U

Up Card - See Face Up Card.

V

VIP Club - For the most loyal players, some casinos have VIP programs. The higher the VIP players climb in the VIP club, the better the rewards.
VIP Player - A player valued for betting regularly and/or for using high stakes at a casino.
VIP Program - For online casinos, how players can be rewarded for their activity.

W

Wager - How much money a player bets.

Wagering Requirements - For online casinos, it dictates how much a play must bet before making a withdrawal.

Welcome Bonus - If a player is new to a casino and opens an account, they are rewarded with a welcome bonus.

Whale - Players who bet thousands or millions of dollars in one night.

Withdrawal - When a player moves the money from their online account back to the payment of their choice.