If you’re a Canadian gamer who’s new to the world of online casino games, you might not be familiar with traditional gambling “speak,” jargon or slang. This can make it challenging to get the hang of new games. You may also feel uneasy about joining live dealer online casino games where you’ll be playing against real people, many of whom are probably experienced gamblers and used to using gambling-specific terms in their chat box conversations.
Common Casino Terms
Fear not! As one of the top online casinos in Canada, we’ve put together a list of the most common gambling jargon and casino terms. Rest assured that after reading through our list, you’ll feel confident the next time you log on to play some of the best online casino games in Canada, regardless of whether you’re playing big jackpot slots, taking part in sports betting or something in between.
Automatic Card Shuffler
Abbreviated to “ACS,” an automatic card shuffler is a device found in brick-and-mortar casinos that is used to automatically shuffle a deck of cards before or during a game.
Banco
This roulette term is used when a player places all their money on a single bet.
Bankroll
A “bankroll” can also be referred to as a person’s gambling budget. It’s essentially a set sum of money dedicated solely to gambling. Responsible gamblers never exceed their bankroll.
Bonus
Bonuses are usually given to a player as extra credits when they’re gambling at an online casino. These credits often act as an incentive to encourage players to keep coming back and to continue topping up their accounts. The most common types of bonuses are sign-up bonuses and deposit bonuses. However, there are many more worthwhile ones to look out for, especially when comparing the best online casinos.
Catch
A player manages a “catch” when playing keno and matching a number on their card with one of the random numbers drawn.
Circled Game
In sports betting, a “circled game” is when the maximum bet is capped, usually due to something having an impact on the game outside of anyone’s control, such as poor weather conditions.
Chasing
A player on a losing streak may feel the need to “chase” their losses by upping their stakes in an attempt to regain the money they’ve lost. This is a dangerous tactic and an example of irresponsible gambling.
Coat-Tail
A player is said to be “coat-tailing” when they copy another player’s betting strategy. In most cases, the player being “coat-tailed” will be the person enjoying the best luck at the table at any given time. “Coat-tailing” is frowned upon and is usually a tactic employed by inexperienced gamblers.
Dog Player
“Dog player” is a slang term in the sports betting world used to describe a sports bettor who consistently bets on the “underdog,” which is the person, team or horse deemed least likely to win.
Flash Casino
This is a type of online casino where players aren’t required to download any apps or software to start playing real online casino games. Instead, the games on offer can be played directly from a web browser.
George
This is dealer slang and refers to a player who’s particularly generous with their tips.
High Roller
“High roller” is a classic casino term that describes a player who doesn’t shy away from placing sizable bets.
House Edge
The “house edge” is the constant advantage the casino has over all players in all casino games on offer. The “house edge” differs significantly from game to game.
Juice
“Juice” is another slang term used in sports betting. It refers to the commission that a bookie earns on each bet.
Live Dealer Casino Games
These are games that are played in real-time, against real opponents (where applicable) and with a real dealer present. Live dealer casino games are offered at all the best online casinos with new games starting every few minutes. Blackjack is a great example of a popular live dealer casino game.
Play For Fun
This is a demo version of a sought-after online casino game (most commonly online slots,) where players can play the game for free, getting a feel for it without risking any of their own money. In demo mode you’re able to enjoy the design aesthetic and the wonderful sound effects and soundtracks without the anxiety of losing real money.
Progressive Jackpot
This type of jackpot increases throughout gameplay, most frequently seen in online slots.
Racino
A “racino” is a casino found on a horse racing track.
Random Number Generator
Random Number Generator (abbreviated to “RNG”) is a type of software used by online casinos to generate random results when online casino games are played.
Scalper
“Scalper” is a sports betting slang term describing a bettor who is determined to profit from the differences in odds from book to book, betting both sides of the game at different rates.
Shooter
This is a casino term primarily used in craps to refer to the person rolling the dice.
Stake
A “stake” is the size or amount of a player’s bet.
Stiff
This is another example of dealer slang used to refer to a player who’s particularly stingy with their tips.
Toke
More dealer slang – a “toke” is a term used to refer to a tip itself.
Lesser Known Jargon
Here are a few terms you may encounter that aren’t commonly used.
Whales
Refers to high-roller gamblers who wager large sums of money.
Vigorish (or Vig)
The commission or fee charged by the casino on certain bets.
Croupier
The dealer or person responsible for managing the game at a casino table.
Junket
An organized trip or tour provided by a casino for high-value players, including accommodations, meals and entertainment.
Pit Boss
The supervisor who oversees multiple table games to ensure smooth operations.
Pigeon
A term used to describe an inexperienced or naive gambler who’s easily taken advantage of.
Grind
The act of consistently playing with a small edge over time to accumulate winnings.
Shill
A person hired by the casino to play at a table and attract other players.
Junket Operator
An individual or company that organizes trips for high-rollers, coordinating their travel and gambling experience at the casino.
Chip Tray
The container where the dealer keeps the chips during a game.
Casino Cage
The area where players can exchange chips for cash or vice versa.
Martingale
A betting system where a player doubles their bet after a loss to recoup losses.
Eye in the Sky
Refers to the surveillance cameras located throughout the casino for security and monitoring purposes.
Fish
A term used to describe a weak or inexperienced player who frequently loses money.
Payout Percentage
The percentage of total bets that a casino pays out to players as winnings over time.
Junket Rep
A representative of a casino who arranges and promotes junket trips for high-rollers.
Cold Streak
A period during which a player experiences a prolonged losing streak, with minimal or no wins.
Play Real Online Casino Games at BetMGM
Ready to put your improved knowledge of popular casino terms to good use? You’ll find a broad menu of casino classics at BetMGM, one of the best online casinos in Canada. Choose from hundreds of online slots, casino table games, variety games and much more.
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