Gambling can be a little overwhelming for new players. From the range of online casinos available to the numerous confusing terms used both in games and on casino websites or reviews. So to help, we’ve decided to help you understand the language of gambling by compiling a short list of some of the most important gambling terms you’ll come across as a player.
Wagering
Upon visiting various casino sites you’ll find that wagering is a term used frequently, particularly when it comes to casino bonuses and promotions. The term states the number of times you’re required to wager a bonus before it can be withdrawn. For example, an online casino offering players a bonus of £100 with wagering of 5x means the bonus must be wagered five times before it becomes available for withdrawal.
When registering at an online casino and claiming a welcome bonus, it’s important to check the wagering requirements. Some online casinos have high wagering, others low wagering and some no wagering at all. Head over to sister-sites.co.uk to find online casinos from each category.
Ante, Big & Small Blinds
Ante is a term most often used in poker games. Its the minimum bet that all players are required to place into a pot before the actual betting begins and before cards are dealt. This bet is generally followed by the Big Blind and Small Blind, forced bets placed before cards are dealt that are considered to be the first official round of betting.
Similarly, there are Ante-Post bets that can be made on sportsbooks. These bets generally long-term wagers on the outcome of special event or season of games and can be referred to as Futures betting. Some examples of Ante-Post bets include wagering on the winner of the next English Premier League before it starts or winners of other major sports events.
Deck
A deck is a set of playing cards which differ depending on the card game you’re playing. For example, you’ll find a deck of 52 cards in most poker games such as Hold’em and Omaha, although some games may use a deck of 53 or 54 cards.
Hands
There are numerous poker terms you should familiarise yourself with before playing. One of the most important terms is Hand which refers to the player’s cards and the five-card combination ranks. For example, one hand is a Full House which is a card combination consisting of three of a kind and a pair.
Other terms include Dead Hand which is a hand that is not playable, a Flush which is a hand of five cards of the same suit, Four Of A Kind which is four cards of the same rank, a Straight which is five cards in a sequence but are not of the same suit, Two Pairs which is a hand featuring two different pairs, and so many others.
Poker Terms
Additional poker terms which are worth understanding include Buy-in which is the minimum amount of money required to enter a game, Deal which means to give players cards, Fold which means to give up and losing your bet, and Raise which means to wager more than the minimum required.
There are dozens of other poker terms that are important to learn, but we believe these to be some of the most important. Note, it’s a good idea to practice playing poker and get accustomed to the rules before wagering any real money.
RTP
RTP is a term known as the Return to Player percentage on casino games. This term measures the percentage of stakes that are returned to players over a long period of playtime. Games with a higher RTP rate will generally pay out more however this doesn’t mean that you are guaranteed to win since the rates are calculated over long periods and include stakes made from multiple players, not just one.
House & House Edge
The House is a term used at both online and brick-and-mortar casinos. The House generally refers to whoever is hosting the game and you are playing against, such as the casino. What’s more, the House Edge is the opposite of the RTP and refers to the advantage the casino has over the player in certain games.