Whether youโre a beginner or a seasoned gambler, understanding gambling terminology is essential. This detailed glossary covers key terms from poker, casino games, sports betting, and general gambling concepts.
A
Action
๐น The amount of money wagered in a gambling session or game. In poker, "action" also refers to active betting in a hand.
All-In
๐น In poker, a bet where a player commits all their remaining chips.
Ante
๐น A small forced bet required in some poker games before the cards are dealt.
B
Bankroll
๐น The total amount of money a player has set aside for gambling.
Betting Limits
๐น The minimum and maximum amount players can bet in a game.
Blackjack
๐น A popular card game where players try to get a hand value of 21 without exceeding it.
Bluff
๐น In poker, betting aggressively with a weak hand to deceive opponents.
Bookmaker (Bookie)
๐น A person or company that accepts bets on sports and other events.
Buy-In
๐น The amount of money required to enter a poker game or tournament.
C
Call
๐น Matching the current bet in poker.
Card Counting
๐น A blackjack strategy where players track cards to determine probabilities.
Casino Advantage (House Edge)
๐น The mathematical edge the casino has over players in any game.
Chips
๐น Tokens used instead of cash in casinos.
Cold Streak
๐น A long period of losing bets.
Craps
๐น A dice game where players bet on the outcome of a roll or series of rolls.
Cut Card
๐น A plastic card used by dealers to cut the deck after shuffling.
D
Dealer
๐น The person who deals cards in poker or operates table games in a casino.
Double Down
๐น In blackjack, doubling the initial bet in exchange for one additional card.
Draw
๐น In poker, when a player needs more cards to complete a strong hand.
Drop (Fold)
๐น In poker, choosing to fold and forfeit a hand.
E
Edge
๐น The advantage a player or casino has over the other.
Even Money
๐น A bet where the payout is 1:1 (e.g., betting $10 to win $10).
F
Fish
๐น A weak or inexperienced player, especially in poker.
Fixed Limit
๐น A betting structure where bet sizes are pre-determined.
Flush
๐น A poker hand consisting of five cards of the same suit.
Fold
๐น In poker, discarding a hand and forfeiting the pot.
Free Play
๐น A casino bonus that allows players to bet without using real money.
G
Gamblerโs Fallacy
๐น The mistaken belief that past outcomes influence future results in independent events (e.g., thinking a slot machine is "due" to hit).
Grinder
๐น A poker player who consistently plays low-stakes games to make a steady profit.
H
High Roller
๐น A gambler who bets large amounts of money.
House Edge
๐น The mathematical advantage the casino has in a game.
Hole Cards
๐น The hidden cards dealt to a player in poker.
I
Inside Bet
๐น A bet placed on specific numbers in roulette, offering higher payouts.
Insurance
๐น A side bet in blackjack when the dealer shows an Ace, protecting against a possible blackjack.
J
Jackpot
๐น The largest possible payout in a casino game, often in slots or progressive games.
Juice (Vig)
๐น The commission a bookmaker takes from bets.
K
Kicker
๐น In poker, an extra card used to break ties between hands.
L
Limp
๐น In poker, entering a pot by calling rather than raising.
Live Bet (In-Play Betting)
๐น Placing a bet during an ongoing sporting event.
M
Martingale System
๐น A betting strategy where a player doubles their bet after a loss to recover losses.
Muck
๐น Folding a hand without revealing the cards in poker.
N
No-Limit (NL)
๐น A poker format where players can bet any amount of chips at any time.
Nut Hand
๐น The best possible hand in a given situation.
O
Odds
๐น The probability of a bet winning, often expressed as a ratio.
Offsuit
๐น Cards of different suits in poker.
Overbet
๐น Betting more than the pot size in poker.
P
Pair
๐น Two cards of the same rank in poker.
Parlay
๐น A sports bet combining multiple bets for a larger payout.
Pit Boss
๐น A casino supervisor overseeing table games.
Pocket Cards
๐น The private cards dealt to a player in poker.
Pot
๐น The total amount of chips bet in a poker hand.
Push
๐น A tie in a casino game where the playerโs bet is returned.
Q
Quads
๐น Poker slang for four-of-a-kind.
R
Railbird
๐น A spectator watching poker games without playing.
Rake
๐น The small commission taken by the house from poker pots.
Roulette
๐น A casino game where players bet on where a spinning ball will land on a wheel.
River
๐น The final community card dealt in poker.
S
Short Stack
๐น A player with a small number of chips relative to the table.
Showdown
๐น The moment in poker when players reveal their hands to determine the winner.
Side Bet
๐น A bet placed alongside the main game, often with special payouts.
Slot Machine
๐น A casino game where players spin reels to match symbols.
Split
๐น In blackjack, dividing two identical cards into separate hands.
T
Tell
๐น A physical or behavioral clue revealing a playerโs hand strength.
Tilt
๐น Emotional frustration causing reckless gambling decisions.
Triple Barrel Bluff
๐น A poker strategy where a player bluffs on the flop, turn, and river.
U
Under the Gun (UTG)
๐น The first player to act in a poker hand.
Upswing
๐น A winning streak in gambling.
V
Variance
๐น The statistical measure of fluctuations in winnings and losses.
Vig (Vigorish)
๐น The commission a bookmaker takes on bets.
W
Whale
๐น A gambler who places extremely large bets.
Wild Card
๐น A card that can substitute for any other to complete a hand.
Y
Yo-Leven
๐น A craps term for rolling an 11.
Debunking card-counting myths
The truth about “hot” and “cold” slot machines
Common misconceptions about gambling
How to recognize & avoid gambling addiction
Responsible gambling & self-exclusion programs
Online gambling legality & gray areas
Gambling laws by country (USA, UK, Canada, Europe, Asia)
Legality & risks of online sports betting
How to read odds & find the best lines
Best sports betting websites
Value betting & arbitrage
Live betting techniques
Statistical analysis & data-driven betting
Prop bets & exotic bets
Parlays & Accumulators
Over/Under (Totals)
Spread betting
Moneyline
Legalization & regulation over time
Early forms of sports betting
Player reviews & ratings
Top land-based casinos in the world
Live dealer games vs. AI-based games
Responsible gambling online
Legality & regulations in different countries
Best online casinos
How to avoid common gambling mistakes
Best strategies for each game
How to maximize winnings
Keno & Lottery games
Craps (how to play, betting systems)
Baccarat (rules, tips, strategies)
Roulette (European, American, strategies)
Blackjack (rules, strategies, card counting)
Slot machines (history, mechanics, strategies)
The modern gambling industry
The rise of casinos in Europe and America
Ancient gambling games (China, Egypt, Greece, Rome)
Psychological aspects of Poker
Probability and statistics in Poker
The mathematics of Poker
Online Poker tips & tricks
Legality of online Poker worldwide
Best online Poker platforms
How to play Poker online
Top Poker players in history
Online Poker tournaments vs. live events
History of WSOP, WPT, EPT, and other major tournaments
Advanced tournament strategies
Bankroll management
Bluffing in Poker: Techniques, Psychology, and Strategies to Master the Art of Deception
Essential strategies for different variants
Beginnerโs Guide to Poker โ Learn the Basics & Start Playing
Glossary of Gambling Terms
Other Lesser-known Variants
Chinese Poker: A Complete Guide to Rules, Strategy & Variants
Razz
Five-Card Draw: The Classic Poker Game Explained
Seven-Card Stud: The Classic Poker Game Explained
Omaha Poker: The Ultimate Guide
Texas Holdโem: The Ultimate Guide to the Worldโs Most Popular Poker Game
Poker In The 20th Century & Modern Era
Poker in the Wild West
Evolution of Poker in the 18th and 19th centuries
Ancient origins of gambling and card games
Advertising & Partnerships
Contact Information
About The Website & Its Mission
Forum for gamblers & Poker players
Interviews With Professional Players
Recommended Books, Podcasts & Courses
Beginnerโs FAQ
Glossary of Poker Terms (A-Z)