South African Casino Glossary

For inexperiencd South African gambling fans navigating the world of online casinos can be both exciting and overwhelming. With a vast array of games, rules, and terms that are often unfamiliar, a reliable South African casino glossary is an invaluable resource to have.

It's especially useful in the context of South Africa's unique land and online gambling landscape, where certain legal, regulatory, and financial considerations apply. a casino glossary arms players with the knowledge they need to play confidently.

To adde to that, a well-rounded, current and accurate glossary ensures that both beginners and seasoned players can grow and enhance their gaming skills and get the most out of their land and online casino experiences alike.

Most Common Casino and Gambling Jargon

From learning about the different betting types and game variations to the most common casino and gambling jargon, a gambling glossary provides clear, concise definitions to help players make better informed and thus more lucrative decisions.

Having quick access to this knowledge empowers players to engage more confidently, reducing confusion and avoiding costly mistakes.

Directory of Top ZAR Casino and Gambling Terms

Action

Amount of money wagered, either the total amount of bets made over a period of time or the amount staked on a single bet.

Add-on

The facility to buy additional chips in tournaments in poker.

Advantage Player

One who uses a strategy to gain a mathematical advantage over the casino.

Aggregate Limit

Total payout liability of a casino during any one game.

Aggregate Winnings

Your total or cumulative winnings.

All-in

To call with every last one of your chips in poker. Win the hand, you double up. Lose the hand, and you're out of funds.

American Roulette

A variant of roulette with double zero (00).

Ante

A minimum bet required of a player in poker to take part in the upcoming hand.

Autoplay

An option in online casino slots where the game will spin the reels automatically a specified number of times. (Autoplay is interrupted by big feature or jackpot wins).

Baccarat

Similar to Punto Banco and Chemin De Fer, this is a table game using 6 or 8 decks of cards that doesn't require skill. The aim is to hold 2 or 3 cards totally as close to nine points as possible.

Back Line

Another name for the Don't Pass Line on the craps table.

Balance

Your casino account balance. You can only play real money games if you have a positive balance.

Ball

Round object thrown into the spinning roulette wheel. When it lands on one of the numbers, it determines the rewards on that spin.

Banker

In card games such as Baccarat, banker refers to the dealer. In some card games, each player becomes a banker/dealer in turn.

Bankroll

Also known as 'roll', 'funds' or 'stack,' this is the amount of money you have to play with.

Barred

Banned from playing at a land or online casino permanently.

Basic Strategy

A proven strategy you can use to increase your advantage in the game, and thus your odds of winning.

Beginners Luck

When you start winning from the get go as a new player.

Bet

The amount of money you're prepared to wager or gamble on a particular roll of the dice, spin of the reels, deal of the cards or selection of numbers.

Bet Spread

The difference between your minimum and maximum bets.

Betting Limits

The minimum and maximum amounts of money you can wager on a single game, round, deal, hand or spin. Also known as Table Stakes.

Table Stakes

see Betting Limits

Bingo

A numbers-based game where you must be the first player to form horizontal, vertical or diagonal lines of called numbers (from a pool or 75 or 90 depending on the variant) to win a prize.

Blackjack

A casino card game played against the House where you must form a hand of cards with a value as close to 21 points as possible without going over (Busting).

Blind Bet

In poker, a bet posted without the player sees any of his/her cards.

Blinds

A forced bet in Hold'em Poker.

Bones

Slang expression for dice.

Bonus

Extra chips or credits given to a player for free or as a reward.

Bonus Feature

A feature within a slot game that gives you extra ways of winning.

Bonus Round

In slot play, a feature with the chance to win a bonus over and above the basic game.

Bonus Slots

Land or online slots that are very bonus orientated.

Branded Slots

A slot game based on a popular brand, be it a movie, book, character or comic series (e.g. Marvel Comics series).

Buy-in

Converting cash into chips. The amount of cash used to purchase casino chips before entering a table games such as blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, etc.

Call

In Poker, to call is to match the current bet.

Card Counting

In Blackjack, keeping track of the cards in a deck to gain an unfair advantage.

Card Shark

An expert at card games.

Cash Back

Some South African online casinos give you the opportunity to claim a certain percentage back (typically between 10 and 25%) on all your deposits. This is known as cashback.

Cash Out

To withdraw money from a land or online casino.

Cashier

Where you can exchange money for chips in land and online casinos and vice versa.

Casino

A land or virtual venue that houses real money gambling games.

Casino Advantage

The casino's (the House) edge over players.

Casino Software

Online casino games from amongst others such top-rated vendors as 1x2Gaming, 3Dice, 888, Amaya Online, Aristocrat, Ash Gaming, Bally, Betsoft, Chartwell, Cryptologic, Electracade, Evolution Gaming, Microgaming, Playtech, Rival, Realtime and WHG.

Chat

A way to communicate with dealers in real-time Live Dealer online casino games using VOIP or text.

Chemin De Fer

A French table game using 6 or 8 decks of cards similar to Baccarat, but requiring skill.

Chips

Real or virtual tokens used at land or online casino gaming tables in lieu of cash.

Classic Slots

Old school or traditional slots typically with 3 reels and a single payline.

Coin Size

The denomination or coin value you choose to play on land or online slots.

Coins Per Line

The amount of coins you bet on each payline.

Coins Per Spin

The total amount of coins you bet per spin in slots.

Cold Streak

An extended losing run.

Collect

The button on a slots or video poker game that lets you cash out.

Colour Up

When you swop smaller denomination chips for a larger denomination.

Combination Bet

When you wager on more than one number simultaneously.

Comp Points

Most online and land casinos give you the opportunity to earn comp points when you play for real money. You can usually exchange these points for bonus cash or other rewards.

Craps

Casino dice table-game.

Credits

In online casinos, wagers are expressed in credits

Croupier

French word for dealer who collects and pays bets or otherwise assists at Roulette, Baccarat and Craps tables.

Cut

Splitting a deck of cards before a new deal.

Deal

To hand out or disseminate cards to players at the start and during a card game.

Dealer

A casino employee who oversees a table game, deals cards, changes money, pays out winnings etc.

Deck

A unit denoting 52 standard playing cards used in land and online casino card games.

Demo Games

See Fun Play Games.

Denomination

The face value or unit of a chip, credit or coin.

Deposit

A payment you make to online casinos via a credit card, ewallet, prepaid card, bank transfer or other methods to play casino games for real money.

Deuce

Refers to the number two (2) in land and online casino games.

Dice

Two identical game cubes numbered from 1 to 6.

Die

Singular unit of a pair of dice, i.e. one.

Double Down

To place a second bet on a blackjack table based on the cards in your hand.

Double Odds

Doubling of the original Pass Line, Don't Pass Line and Don't Come wagers.

Double Or Nothing

An even-money bet that pays out the same as your original wager.

Double Zero

A wager on the number 00 in American Roulette.

Doubling Down

A betting option in blackjack where your opening two-card hand is turned face up and your initial bet is doubled before you're dealt an extra card.

Down Card

A card dealt face down, thus hiding its value.

Download Casino

A type of online casino that requires you to download, install and update its software to access and play its games.

Early Surrender

Surrender your bet before the dealer checks to make a blackjack.

eCOGRA

e-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance is an Independent authority for the online gaming industry, concerning fair gaming, player protection and responsible operator conduct.

Edge

The odds favouring a land or online casino a.k.a. House Advantage or House Edge.

Encryption Software

Software used by online casinos to keep your personal, financial and account information safe, secure and protected 24/7.

European Roulette

The original variant of roulette with a single zero (0).

Even Money Bet

A bet with odds of 1:1 that pays out the amount you wagered, over and above your original wager.

Eye in the Sky

A slang name for video surveillance cameras in land casinos situated above their gaming areas.

Face Card

A card featuring a face such as the King, Queen and Jack. Also known as 'Picture Cards.'

Face Down

A card dealt face down without having its value revealed in poker or blackjack. Also known as a 'Hole Card.'

Firing

A player who bets large sums frequently.

First Base

At the blackjack table, the position on the far left of the dealer is considered to be first base and is the first position dealt with.

Fish

Slang name for a new or inexperienced player prone to losing money. The opposite of a 'Shark.'

Flash Casino

A type of online casino that lets you play games directly from your internet browser without having to download them.

Flat Betting

To bet the same amount on each and every hand consistently.

Flush

A poker hand made up of five cards of the same suit.

Fold

To abandon your hand, drop out of play and surrender any bets you've already made.

Four of a Kind

A poker hand with four cards of the same value such as 4 Aces.

Free Download Casino

Refers to downloadable online casino games that don't you a thing to download. (You must make a deposit to play them for real money, however).

Free Spin

A free go in a land or online slot game, usually won through a bonus feature.

French Roulette

Another name for European Roulette.

Fruit Machine

A slang name for a slot machine with unique features such as hold and nudge.

Full House

A poker hand consisting of three of a kind and a pair.

Fun Play Games

Online casino games you can play for fun. In other words, these are free to play games that don't pay out. a.k.a. Demo or Demo Play Games.

Gamble Feature

An optional bonus feature in slots and video poker where you stand to double your winnings by guessing hi or lo, black or red, or the correct suit.

Gambler's Fallacy

The incorrect belief that the outcome of a random event is influenced by previous events.

Gaming Site

A generic term for a games or internet gambling site like an online casino, poker room, sportsbook, bingo room or combination thereof.

Green Numbers

The zero and/or double zero on a roulette wheel.

Gross Winnings

Your total payout including your original stake.

Hand

Refers to the cards you're dealt as part of card table games.

Hard Hand

Any hand that doesn't contain an Ace in blackjack.

Heads Up

Just you versus the dealer at a table game, or against another player in poker.

High Card

The card with the highest value in your hand such as Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10 etc.

High Roller

A players with a large chip stack who plays land or online casino games for high stakes.

Hit

To request another card in blackjack.

Hold Feature

A slots feature where you can hold one or more of the reels on your next spin.

Hole Card

A card dealt without be exposed in blackjack or poker. Also known as a 'Face Down card.'

Hot

A player on a winning streak, or a slot game that keeps paying out i.e. one that is 'loose.'

House

A casino or gambling operation.

House Edge

The mathematical advantage that the casino or house has over players in its various games.

House Rules

Rules that are specific to a particular casino, its games and processes.

Instant Play Casino

A type of online casino that doesn't require you to download software as its games are designed in Flash or HTML5 and thus browser-based.

Insurance

Insurance on a bet in blackjack should the dealer have a face up card that's an Ace.

IVT

Interactive Video Terminals

Jackpot

A sizeable win on an online or land-based slot machine.

Joker

An extra card in a 52-card deck, often used as a bonus or wild card.

Keno

A lottery-type game played with a card of 80 numbers; players attempt to predict which of 20 numbered balls will be drawn.

Kicker

An odd high card in a draw poker hand that doesn't contribute to a straight or a flush, such as an Ace or King.

Leaderboard

this shows the top players / winners for a game or promotion over a given period.

Let It Ride

A casino card game based on Poker but played against the House instead of other players.

Limits

The minimum and maximum amounts that can be wagered on a single bet in table games.

Live Chat

Real time texting facility you can use to contact casino customer support.

Live Dealer Games

Online casino games played in real time against human dealers over the internet via a live video stream.

Lobby

The area in online casinos where all of their games are listed for you to choose from.

Loose

A slot game that pays out regularly and generously. The opposite of 'Tight.'

Loyalty Scheme

A VIP or rewards scheme offered by online casinos to reward players for regularly depositing and playing.

Marker

An IOU from a player to facilitate the 'borrowing' of credit from a land casino.

Martingale

A well-known betting system based on the premise that you should double-up after every loss, the theory being you'll eventually win it all back (assuming you don't go bankrupt first).

Maximum Bet

a.k.a Max Bet, the highest bet or wager you're permitted to make on a given casino game.

Minimum Bet

a.k.a Min Bet, the lowest bet or wager you're permitted to make on a given casino game.

Mobile Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games you can play 24/7 on a mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet.

Money Management

The manner (good or bad) in which you handle your playing funds or bankroll.

Multi-Denominational

Land and online slots that accept a multitude of coin denominations or sizes.

Multi-Hand Games

Casino games where you can play more than one hand simultaneously.

Multi-Line Slots

Slot games with multiple paylines.

Multi-Player Games

Casino games where you can play against and/or alongside other players.

Multi-Deck Games

Card games played with two or more decks shuffled together.

Multiplier

A slots bonus feature that multiplies your payouts by a specified value.

MVG

Most Valued Guest, a title typically reserved for high value and loyal land casino players.

Natural

An initially dealt two-card hand of 21 points in blackjack, and a two-card total of 8 or 9 points in baccarat.

Neighbours

The numbers which are to the left or right of the winning numbers in roulette.

Net Winnings

Total payout minus your original stake or playing funds.

New Player Bonus

An online casino bonus that can only be claimed if you are first time player / depositor at a the respective casino. See Welcome Bonus.

No Deposit Bonus

A bonus you can claim and use without having to first make a deposit

Non Sticky Bonus

A type of bonus offered by online casinos that you can withdraw once you meet the respective wagering requirements.

Nudge

A feature usually found on fruit slot machines that lets you nudge one or more of its three reels to help form a winning combination.

Odds

The chances in percentage of you winning a particular casino game.

One Armed Bandit

An 'old school' slang for a land casino slot machine.

Pai Gow Poker

A two-handed poker variant played against the House as opposed to other players.

Parlay Bet

To let your winnings accrued from a previous bet to 'ride' alongside your current bet.

Pass

To fold in casino card games.

Pay Table

A table that highlights all of the possible winning combinations, payouts and features of a particular slot game.

Payback

The percentage a slot game pays out in relation to the sum wagered on it.

Payline(s)

The visible and/or invisible lines of slot games on which any and all winning combinations are determined. They are always highlighted in the slots Pay Table.

Payoff

The return or payback you stand to win based on your wager.

Payout

See Payoff.

Payout Percentage

Also known as Return to Player (RTP), is the average amount of money paid out by a casino over time as a percentage either as a whole or for individual games.

Picture Card

A face card.

Player

Anyone who participates in casino games

Pocket Cards

Cards dealt to players face down in poker.

Poker

A card game where you can bet, bully and bluff your way to victory.

Pokies

An Australian slang term for slot machines or slot games.

Pot

The total amount of bets made by all players in single hand or round of poker.

Progressive Slots

A standalone or networked land or online slot game whose maximum payout (progressive jackpot) increases incrementally until it is won.

Progressive Ticker

The continually updating indicator of the current value of a progressive jackpot.

Promotions

Refers to daily, weekly or monthly promotions offered by an online casino that can include matching reload bonuses, giveaways, competitions, exclusive offers, extra loyalty points and so on.

Punter

British slang word for gambler.

Punto Banco

European name for Baccarat.

Push

A tie hand between you and the dealer.

Rake

A percentage-based commission charged by the casino or poker room for poker games.

Rand Casinos

Land, mobile and online casinos that process payments in Rand (ZAR) which means they welcome South Africans to register for real money accounts.

Rand Online Casinos

See Rand Casinos.

Random Number Generator (RNG)

Software used by online casinos to generate 100% random game results or outcomes.

Real Money Games

Online casino games that can be played with real money. In other words, you need to make a deposit to play them.

Reels

The rotating barrels of as slot game which usually range from 3 to 5.

Reload Bonus

A type of online casino bonus offered to existing players.

River

In poker, the final card dealt in a hand of stud or hold'em.

Roulette

A casino table game with a numbered wheel and corresponding number board on which you can bet. Your aim is to predict where the ball will land after each spin.

Royal Flush (Also, Royal Straight Flush or Royal)

An Ace-high straight flush (Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten, all of the same suit); the best possible poker hand.

Royal Flush

The highest hand in poker consisting of 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace suited.

Session

A period of play at any online, land or mobile casino.

Shark

An seasoned or experienced player that targets new or weak players. The opposite of a 'Fish.'

Shoe

The container that holds up to eight shuffled decks in a land casino.

Shuffle

Randomly mixing up the order of the cards between deals.

Sic Bo

A table game with three dice where you must predict their outcome before they are rolled.

Sign Up Bonus

A type of bonus at online casinos that's offered to first time or new players.

Slots

Also known as slot games or machines, are colourful themed coin or credit operated games. They typically have 3 to 5 reels with one or more paylines that yield a variety of cash prizes depending on the respective winning combination as well as features including multipliers, free spins, scatters, bonus rounds and wilds.

Snake Eyes

Rolling a two in the game of craps.

Soft Hand

Any hand in blackjack which contains an Ace counted as 11 (as opposed to 1).

South African Casinos

In the case of land casinos, this refers to casinos based in South Africa. In the case of virtual or online casinos, it refers to casinos that allow South Africans to sign up and in most cases deposit, play and cash out in Rand (ZAR).

South African-friendly Casinos

These are typically offshore-based online and mobile casinos that welcome players from South Africa and usually have ZAR (Rand) as one of their accepted currencies.

Spin

The turning of slots reels until they stop revealing a winning combination or not.

Split Hand

When dealt a pair in blackjack, you have the option of splitting them to form two separate hands.

Stack

The total amount of chips you have at any given time.

Stacked Wilds

A slots bonus feature where wild symbols are positioned on top of each other on the reels for extra payouts.

Stake

The total amount you bet on one hand, round, deal or spin.

Sticky Bonus

A type of online casino bonus you cannot withdraw, but must play out in its entirety.

Streak

A run or period of winning or losing hands.

Suit

The four types of card symbols - Spades, Diamonds, Hearts and Clubs.

Surrender

A decision to fold your hand and receive half your wager back.

Symbols

The images on the reels of slots.

System

Any mathematically based betting or wagering method.

Table Games

Casino games including blackjack, craps, roulette and baccarat played on a table and operated and controlled by a dealer or croupier.

Table Limits

The minimum and maximum amounts you can place on a specific bets while playing table games.

Terms and Conditions

Every single online casino comes with its own set of terms and conditions which you must always read before you agree to them. All casino bonus offers also come with their own T&Cs.

Ticket

Nickname for a keno or bingo card.

Tie

Another term for 'Push.'

Tight

slot game that pays out infrequently and ungenerously. The opposite of 'Loose.'

Tilt

To play or gamble wildly or recklessly.

Tournament

A competition between a multitude of players over a period of time for cash, prizes or entries into other tournaments.

Up Card

A card dealt face up.

Video Poker

A video poker and slots hybrid

Video Slots

A slot machine comprising a video screen where reels are generated as a picture.

VIP

Acronym for a Very Important Person, or players granted exclusive access to higher limit games and/or better bonuses and perks.

VLT

Video Lottery Terminal.

Wager

A bet.

Wagering Requirements

The number of times a bonus must be wagered or played-through at an online casino (as per the bonus terms and conditions) before it can be unlocked and/or withdrawn.

Web Wallet

a.k.a. electronic wallet or ewallet, a fast, convenient and secure payment methods ideal for making payments in and out of your South African online casino accounts.

Welcome Bonus

A new player bonus offer usually percentage-based. It is also known as a matching bonus, a match bonus, a new player bonus and a sign up bonus.

Whale

A player with a lot of playing funds who makes extremely big bets and wagers.

Wheel

The central object of the game of roulette, which is numbered from 1 to 36 with a single zero (0) if European roulette and a single and double zero (00) if American roulette.

Wild Card

A joker or other card that can be used as any other card to complete your hand in card games.

Wild Multiplier

A wild symbol which substitutes for others in land and online slots to create winning combinations with a generous multiplier.

Wild

A symbol in a slot game that substitutes for all other symbols except scatters.

Win Rate

The average amount you are winning per hour.

Winning Combinations

The number of ways to win playing slots as highlighted on the respective pay table.

Zero

One of the numbers on the roulette wheel which stands out being the only number that is green (all other numbers are black or red).

European and French roulette games have a single zero 90) on their wheels and number boards while American roulette games have both a single (0) and a double zero (00) on their wheels and number boards.