CASINO GLOSSARY FROM A to Z

TRENDS

It is easy enough to play Casino games, but once in a while one might be baffled by the terminology used on the sites. Especially in the video slots, even the more seasoned casino veterans can encounter new and innovative features, which have such imaginative names, they can sometimes be hard to figure out.

But worry not! Here on the Rizk Blog we’ve collected a comprehensive glossary for your pleasure, covering the most important terms and expressions throughout the most popular casino games. For clarity’s sake we’ve divided the listing into two parts, because the terminology can differ greatly between slots and table games.

SLOTS GLOSSARY

In the section below we are introducing the most common terms you are likely to encounter playing the online slots games. This glossary is divided into three parts, making it as easy as possible to find what you’re looking for.

GENERAL SLOTS TERMINOLOGY

This section includes the terms, which can be found in most of the slots. You’ll also find short descriptions for different types of slots, such as Megaways and Grid games. The winning symbols and special features will be defined in the next two sections.

Reel – most of the slots are using vertically spinning reels

Row – every reel features X amount of rows, which include symbols

Reelset / Reel setting – The total combined amount of reels, for example: 5 x 3 = five reels, each with three rows

Win-line – The winning combinations must land on these lines, drawn on the reels

Winning combination – A combination of symbols, usually at least three similar symbols from left to right is needed for a winning combination

Win Both Ways – Usually the winning combinations are paid out from left to right, but some games also pay out from right to left simultaneously

Jackpot slots – These slots feature a separate jackpot, which can be won by in various different ways

Progressive Jackpot – Continuously growing jackpot, which will reset to its default value after it has been won

Megaways Games – Slots offering up to hundreds of thousands of winning ways by drawing the size of each of the winning symbols on each reel, separately

Race games / Tournament games – The slots selected to be playable in Rizk’s slots tournaments, which can be found in their own section of our page

Coin value – In some slots the amount of the bet is modified by changing the value of the coin

Bet level – In some slots the total bet size is modified by changing the bet level

Feature Buy / Bonus Buy – An option to instantly buy access to one of the special features of the slot by increasing the total price of the round

Grid game – Slot without reels, in which the winnings are determined on a grid

Cluster Wins – Often seen in grid games, these winning combinations require an X amount of horizontally or vertically adjacent symbols

Avalanche Feature – Offers a possibility to create combo-wins by making the winning symbols disappear and new symbols falling into their positions

Win multiplier – Multiplies the payouts of the round or win-line by the displayed win multiplier

Return to Player (RTP) – The theoretical percentage the game is providing returns to the player

Random Number Generator, RNG – Puts the theoretical return to the player in practice, a generator drawing the result of each game round randomly according to the game rules

WINNING SYMBOLS

When it comes to slots, winning symbols or payout symbols are common terms for all the symbols which provide payouts. There can be several different types and sizes of winning symbols. Winning symbols are often divided into basic symbols, with no special features and special symbols, which are part of a feature in the slot game.

Wild symbols – Common term for all the «joker» symbols, which can replace any of the basic symbols as a part of the winning combination

Sticky Wild – A wild symbol, which will stick to its position for several spins

Expanding Wild – A wild symbol, which will expand vertically on the reel

Spreading Wild – A wild symbol, which will spread horizontally or in several directions

Walking Wild – A wild symbol, which will travel in either direction on the reels and can create re-spins

Wild Reel – A wild symbol covering an entire reel

Multiplier Wild – When this wild is a part of a winning combination it will multiply the payout

Scatter symbol – A symbol leading to the free spins feature and often paying out a separate scatter win

Bonus symbol – A symbol leading to the bonus feature, which usually does not provide a payout by itself

Mega symbols – Winning symbols that are bigger than usual, for example 2×2 sized

SPECIAL FEATURES

Special features refer to functions within the slots games which are not part of the base game. These features can include free spins within the game, different bonus games, and randomly triggered features. Some of the newer slots can also feature evolving and alternating sizes and shapes of the reels.

Free Spins Mode – Usually triggered by landing scatters. The reels spin for X amount of rounds for free, often with enhanced winning probabilities compared to the base game

Bonus game – Separate bonus feature which is triggered by bonus symbols and usually boasts a different operating mechanic than the base game

Pick’n Click – Popular type of bonus game feature, in which the player will have the option to click on different hidden prizes in order to win

Random feature – Feature triggering randomly before or after the game round

Re-spin – Reels will re-spin without the player being charged for the round

Expanding Reels – Reel or reels expand to bigger than its original size

Second Chance – A new chance to win, for example when the free spins mode is not providing the minimum amount of winnings set by the game

Double chance / Gamble – The option to double up or even quadruple the wins after the game round is finished

TABLE GAMES GLOSSARY

Moving on to the second part of the glossary, the table games terminology. The table games are nowadays available as virtual versions and live-versions at internet casinos. But the vocabulary is the same in all versions. Different table games do, however, feature some varying terms and sometimes very specific ones. That’s why we have divided the chapter into sections for each table game. Note that some of the special terms explained can also be used in other games.

GENERAL TABLE GAMES GLOSSARY

The general glossary includes the terms used in most of the table games and are not unique to any single game, such as blackjack or roulette. For example, if you are wondering what a live-game is, we’ll let you know here.

Virtual table games – Table games played in a virtual environment against the AI

Live casino games – Table games and other casino games played using a live video feed, where the games are physically played at a casino or a studio

Dealer, banker, croupier – The real-life person running and supervising the live-casino games

Money Wheel – Wheel of Fortune type live-casino games, where the payouts are drawn according to the wheel set vertically upright

Game Shows – Entertainment games at a live-casino, which are not traditional table games, but casino games run by a host and with a particular set of rules

Dealer’s rules – In table games the dealer usually has no options or choices, but must adhere to strict guidelines set by the game rules

Betting Time – The time given for placing a new bet in live-casino games

Turn – In live-casino games, each player usually has to act during their own turn, which is often time limited

BLACKJACK GLOSSARY

From this section you will find the glossary for one of the most popular card games in any casino, Blackjack. Unlike many others, blackjack does involve some skill, so it might be worthwhile to learn the basic strategy of the game before placing your bets.

Hit – to take one additional card

Stand – finish the hand and stop taking cards, the turn progresses to the next player

Bust – the value of the hand exceeds 21, automatically losing the bet

Split – splits two cards in hand to two separate hands

Double Up – doubles the bet and takes a single additional card

Blackjack – the best hand in blackjack, value of 21

Insurance – insures the hand in case of a dealer blackjack

Surrender – in some blackjack variants it is possible to surrender the player’s hand

Bet Behind – in some live-casino blackjacks it is possible to place a bet on another player’s hand, allowing participation even if the table is full

ROULETTE GLOSSARY

Roulette does not involve any precise strategy, but it will always be easier to play when the terminology is familiar. We’ve listed the most common terms in roulette below, so you’ll have no trouble placing those first bets.

Roulette wheel – the spinning wheel, through which the winning number is drawn

Roulette ball – the ball that the croupier will spin on the roulette wheel after the bets have been placed

Roulette table – the table on which the bets are set

Inside bets – bets set on the numbered portion of the roulette table

Outside bets – bets set on the outside of the numbered portion of the roulette table

Even money – a bet that pays 1:1, such as black/red or odd/even

BACCARAT GLOSSARY

Baccarat is a simple card game, with no need for a playing strategy. The glossary is as simple as the game: we have listed the needed ones below so you can get started on this casino game also known as Punto Banco.

Player Bet – one of the two hands to bet on, the Player’s Hand

Banker Bet – second of the two hands to bet on, the Bank’s Hand

Tie – the third option for bets, Banker and Player both finishing with a hand of the same value

Baccarat – the worst outcome of a hand, value of zero

Natural – the best outcome of a hand, two cards combining for a value of either 8 or 9

POKER GLOSSARY

There are various different rules and variants of poker games, all of which might have different terminologies. We have collected the most important terms below, but be sure to check the special vocabulary of each game type before playing. Poker is a skill game, with a hint of luck involved.

Ante Bet – stakes set before the cards are dealt

Bonus Bet – a stake set for a special bonus win when certain criteria is met, for example landing a specified hand

Raise – raising the bet from the initial bet

Table cards – dealt cards set on the table face up, which can be used by every player

Hand cards – the cards dealt to each player individually

Poker hand – the final hand, which will be compared to the dealer’s hand, paytable or other player’s hands in order to determine the payout

Video poker – poker played against an AI, similar to slot machines