Everything you need to know about online casino terminology
Are you new to the world of online casinos and struggling with technical terms you don’t understand? Madness Bonus is here to help with its online casino glossary.
By reading this article, you will quickly become an expert in online casinos and be able to play without confusion. Many terms have been intentionally kept in English, with their French translations in parentheses. This is because these words are commonly used in English in casino contexts.
A
Ante : The word “ante” comes from Latin and means “before.” An ante is a mandatory bet that players must place before cards are dealt, most commonly in poker. This small but required wager ensures that the casino gradually profits from players over time. Naturally, the longer the game lasts, the more significant the ante becomes, forcing players to play more hands.
Autospin : Autospin, or automatic spin, is a feature available on almost all online slot machines. It allows the machine to spin automatically for a predetermined number of rounds, usually 10, 20, 50, 75, 100, and even up to 1,000 spins on some slot machines.
B
Balance : The balance refers to your account balance on the online casino where you play. It should not be confused with the bankroll, which is the total amount of money you allocate to casino gaming (weekly, monthly, etc.).
Bankroll : The bankroll is the total sum a player dedicates to gambling over a set period (week, month, or year). Proper bankroll management is essential to avoid going broke (losing all your bankroll). Originally a poker term, it applies to any gambling activity.
Bonus abuse: Bonus abuse occurs when a player creates multiple accounts on a casino platform to repeatedly take advantage of welcome bonuses. These players typically target no-deposit bonuses, such as free spins or bonus cash.
Bonus hunt: A bonus hunt is a gambling strategy often seen in casino streams on Twitch. The player spins on a slot machine, and as soon as they trigger a bonus (such as free spins), they leave the game. The bonuses remain stored, and once the player has used their bankroll, they open all the collected bonuses at once. If you attempt a bonus hunt, it should be done using real money (RAW balance), as most casinos prohibit bonus hunting when playing with a deposit bonus.
Bust: In blackjack, a player goes bust when the total value of their cards exceeds 21. If both the player and dealer bust, the player still loses. Choosing when to hit or stand is crucial. For strategic decision-making, check out the guide “Blackjack: how to play and (almost) always win”.
C
Cashback: Some online casinos offer cashback as a loyalty bonus. When you deposit and play, a portion of your losses accumulates as cashback. At the end of the week or month (depending on the casino), your cashback balance is unlocked for play. Since some casinos offer higher cashback rates than others, it’s worth comparing your options.
Cash-out: In online casinos, cash-out refers to withdrawing your winnings to your bank account. Some players cash out only when they have significantly increased their balance (to avoid losing it all if they don’t hit good bonuses), while others prefer gradual withdrawals while keeping some funds in their balance to continue playing.
Croupier (dealer) : A croupier, also called a dealer, is a casino employee who runs a table game such as blackjack, poker, or roulette. They are responsible for collecting bets, dealing cards, spinning the roulette wheel, and paying out winnings at the end of a round.
Cut card: In casino card games, the cut card (or cutting card) is a plastic card inserted into the deck after shuffling. When the croupier reaches this card and a game round ends, the deck or shoe must be replaced with a newly shuffled set of cards.
D
Deposit bonus: A deposit bonus is an additional bonus that a casino offers on top of your deposit. It can include bonus money, free spins, or instant cashback. You are always free to choose whether to take a bonus or play with real money only. Each casino has different bonus terms and conditions, so be sure to read them carefully before playing!
Double Down: In blackjack, double down is the action of doubling your bet after receiving your initial cards. If you follow blackjack basic strategy, you’ll know when to double down or not.
E
Evolution Gaming : Evolution Gaming is the market leader in live casino games. You can play their games at top-rated casinos. In addition to blackjack and poker, their most popular games include Crazy Time, Monopoly Live, and Mega Ball.
F
Free spins: Free spins can refer to two things. In the case of a deposit bonus, free spins are complimentary spins that the casino offers on a specific slot machine. Free spins are also a bonus feature within a slot game. They are triggered randomly, and if you’re lucky, they can lead to big wins!
G
Gaming licence: All online casinos operate under a gaming licence, which is granted by official licensing authorities. This licence ensures that the casino follows regulations and maintains its credibility. The two most well-known online gaming licences are issued by Curaçao and Malta.
H
High roller:A high roller is a player who bets large sums of money at the casino.Conversely, a player who wagers only small amounts is called a low roller.
I
Insurance: In Evolution Gaming’s blackjack tables, when the dealer’s first card is an Ace, you have the option to insure your hand. If both you and the dealer get a blackjack and you have taken insurance, you will be paid 2 to 1 instead of losing your hand.
J
Jackpot:Some slot machines have a jackpot feature, where the prize pool grows as players place bets. If a player hits the jackpot, the winnings can be massive! Popular jackpot slots include Holmes and the Stolen Stones (Yggdrasil), Mona Lisa Jewels (iSoftBet), Sun of Egypt (Booongo), Jackpot Raiders (Yggdrasil), Ozwin’s Jackpot (Yggdrasil), and Beast of Wealth (Play’n GO).
M
Martingale:The Martingale is a simple yet banned betting system. It has been used by players in blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. The strategy is straightforward: after every lost bet, you double your wager. However, this method requires a large bankroll to sustain losses. Martingale is prohibited in all casinos.
Max bet: When playing with a deposit or welcome bonus, the max bet is the highest amount you can wager in a single round. If your bet exceeds this limit, you violate the bonus terms and risk having your winnings voided.
N
No deposit bonus: A no deposit bonus is the opposite of a deposit bonus. Sometimes, a casino offers it to new players or as a reward for loyal customers. No deposit bonuses can be in the form of bonus money or free spins.
Non-Sticky Bonus: A non-sticky bonus is a bonus that you can cancel as long as your balance remains higher than the granted bonus amount. If you cancel the bonus, you can either continue playing with your remaining real money or withdraw it.
P
Paylines: Online slot machines can have anywhere from three to thousands of paylines. These lines may be straight, zigzag across the reels, or completely irregular, as seen in MegaWays slots. To check a machine’s paylines, refer to the paytable. Some machines allow you to adjust the number of active paylines.
Play’n GO : Play’n GO is one of the most reputable slot providers in the industry. Some of their most popular games include Book of Dead, Rise of Merlin, and Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness.
Pragmatic Play: Pragmatic Play, often called Pragmatic, is a well-known provider. Some of their most-played slots include The Dog House, Da Vinci’s Treasure, Sweet Bonanza, Great Rhino, and The Wild Machine.
Progressive free spins: Progressive free spins are a bonus feature on certain slots where each spin increases the win multiplier. For example, the first spin may have x1, the second x2, the third x3, and so on, leading to huge payouts in the final spins. If you retrigger the feature, the multiplier continues increasing. Popular slots with progressive free spins include Da Vinci’s Treasure and Dance Party (both from Pragmatic Play).
Provider: A provider (or game supplier) is a company that creates and supplies online casino games. Some well-known providers include Play’n GO, Nolimit City, Pragmatic Play, Booongo, and Red Tiger.
Push (Blackjack): In blackjack, a push happens when your hand value is equal to the dealer’s. In this case, your bet is refunded, but you lose any side bets if you placed them.
Push Gaming : Push Gaming is a relatively new provider, founded in 2010. They have around 20 active games, all featuring attractive designs and unique gameplay mechanics. Some of their most popular slots include Jammin’ Jars, Fat Santa, Razor Shark, Viking Clash, and Tiki Tumble.
Q
Quickspin: Quickspin is a Swedish game development studio founded in Stockholm in 2011. It quickly became a well-known and respected provider in the online casino industry. Some of their most popular slot games include Tiger’s Glory, Sakura Fortune, Sticky Bandits Wild Return, and Big Bad Wolf.
R
Relax Gaming : Relax Gaming is a provider founded in Finland in 2010. While not the most prolific studio, it is known for high-quality graphics and innovative features. Their games are also recognized for being highly volatile. Some of their most famous slots include Temple Tumble, Money Train, Marching Legion, and Money Train 2.
Retrigger: A retrigger occurs when you land three scatters during a free spins round. This activates additional spins, extending your bonus round.
RTP: RTP (Return to Player), also called TRJ (Taux de Retour au Joueur) in French, is the theoretical percentage of wagered money that a slot machine returns to players over time. The payouts are distributed over the long term, meaning a machine’s RTP can sometimes be above 100% or lower than its average rate. Online slot machines generally have a higher RTP than physical casino slots. The average RTP for online slots ranges between 95% and 96%.
S
Scatter: A scatter is a special symbol that triggers the bonus feature on an online slot machine. Depending on the game, you typically need 3, 5, or even 6 scatters to activate the bonus round.
Stand: In blackjack, if you believe your hand can beat the dealer, you can stand (rester), meaning you do not take any additional cards. You can stand on your initial hand or after hitting multiple times.
Sticky wilds: Sticky wilds are a slot machine bonus feature where any wild symbol remains fixed in place for the duration of the bonus round. The more sticky wilds you land, the higher your potential winnings!
Shoe: In blackjack and poker, the shoe is a transparent plastic device that holds decks of cards, preventing the dealer from manually handling them. On Evolution Gaming’s blackjack tables, the shoe contains 8 decks of standard playing cards. It is replaced whenever the dealer reaches the cut card.
T
Terms and conditions: The terms and conditions of a casino are a set of rules that players must follow during their gaming sessions. By strictly adhering to these rules, you can ensure that you will be able to withdraw your winnings without any issues.
Thunderkick: Thunderkick is an independent slot development studio founded in 2012 in Stockholm. Since its creation, it has grown significantly and now has 44 games in its portfolio. Some of its most popular slots include Esqueleto Explosivo 2, The Falcon Huntress, Pink Elephants 2, Midas Golden Touch, Dragon Horn, and Sword of Khans.
V
VIP program: Most casinos offer a VIP program with various rewards. The more you deposit, the higher your VIP rank, unlocking better perks. These rewards can include free spins, cashback, and bonus money.
VPN: A VPN is a software tool that allows you to change your online location. Some players use a VPN to access casino games that are restricted in their country. Before using a VPN on a casino site, always check the terms and conditions to ensure it is not prohibited.
Volatility: In casinos, volatility refers to the variation in payouts a game can offer. A high-volatility slot has a large difference between base game wins and big payouts, meaning it can be risky but offer huge rewards. On the other hand, a low-volatility slot provides more frequent but smaller wins, making it more consistent but with fewer explosive bonuses.
W
Wager: When playing with a deposit bonus or free spins, you must meet wagering requirements before withdrawing. The wager is the number of times you must play through the bonus money before cashing out. Typically, casinos require 30x to 40x the bonus amount. For example, if you deposit 100 CAD with a 50% bonus and have a 30x wagering requirement, you must bet 1,500 CAD before withdrawing.
Welcome bonus : A welcome bonus is offered when you register at a casino. It can be a no deposit bonus (free spins or bonus money) or a deposit bonus.
Wilds: A wild is a special symbol in slot games, similar to a joker in card games. It can substitute for any other symbol, helping create winning combinations and bigger payouts.
