When computing was in its infancy, experts tended to be divided in their opinions of the future of the technology that was emerging. Some thought that computers would never be practical or useful enough to warrant having them in homes, and others were convinced that almost anything could be outsourced to a computer as the technology developed.
Over the last few decades, we have indeed seen computers used for everything from managing the international stock exchange to providing a wide variety of entertainment options. One of the biggest areas of growth has been in the realm of online gaming, which has gone from a niche hobby to a global phenomenon in the last few decades.
One of the reasons that gaming has caught on in the way it has is the sheer variety of games available, from hyper-realistic adventures to digital versions of traditional games such as casino games. For many people, actually going to a bricks and mortar casino isn’t always practical, so the ability to play casino games from the comfort of their own homes, or even on the go, has been welcomed by millions of gamers.
However, it’s not just experienced casino goers that appreciate the chance to play online casino games – many gamers are attracted by the gameplay and the chance to win some cash when they beat the odds. For those that are new to the world of casino gaming, there is a specific vocabulary that goes along with the games.
Poker
As one of the most complex casino games, there is a lot of terminology used to refer to the various elements of the game. Using the right words is an important part of playing, so it’s vital to learn what they all mean, including:
- Texas hold ’em – This is one of the most common styles of poker play online: two cards are dealt, face down, to each player and five community cards are dealt face up
- Pocket cards – the cards that make up each individual player’s hand
- Community cards – cards dealt face-up for players to use when making their hand
- The flop – the first three community cards dealt in Texas hold ‘em
- The turn – the fourth community card dealt in Texas hold ‘em
- The river – the fifth and final community card dealt in Texas hold ‘em
- Full house – a hand that comprises a pair and three of a kind
- Flush – a hand that comprises five cards of the same suit
- Straight flush – a hand that comprises five cards of the same suit in sequential order
- Royal flush – a hand that comprises a straight flush with an ace as the highest card
In order to beat the odds, you need to understand the way the game works and being familiar with the terminology used is a large part of that in poker.
Roulette
The actual gameplay in roulette may be very simple, but it’s the variety of bets available that can be confusing. Beyond placing a bet on red or black, the terminology surrounding roulette tends to focus on the ‘layout’ which is the cloth-covered area on the roulette table where bets are placed and bets are described in terms of their placement on this cloth:
- Straight up – a bet on a single number, made by placing chips on that number on the layout
- Street – a bet placed on a group of three numbers, with odds of 11-1, made by placing chips on the edge of that row
- Inside bets – the inner section of the layout is where the numbers are printed so bets placed in this area cover individual or small groups of numbers at relatively high odds
- Outside bets – the outer area of the layout is dedicated to larger sections of the roulette wheel at lower odds, including even money bets such as red/black or even/odd
- Split bet – a bet placed on two adjacent numbers that usually pays out at 17-1
- Column bet – this is a popular choice among roulette players as you can bet on a column of numbers with a payout of 2-1
General terminology
There are some terms that are used in a variety of games, so
- The house – this is the term used to describe the casino
- Bankroll – this is the funds you have set aside to play with
- Croupier – the dealer at table games, including games such as live blackjack or poker
- Face cards – the jacks, queens and kings in a deck of cards
- Action – taking part in a casino game or placing a bet
Understanding the terminology used in casino games will help you understand more about the games and the options available when it comes to placing bets and understanding the odds. For players that aren’t experienced in how casinos work, knowing the language that’s used is one of the easiest ways to get a feel for the various games and familiarise yourself with the way various games work.
Not knowing the terminology can also cause you to miss opportunities that might result in a win, simply by not understanding the options available or the potential to place a winning bet when you’re in a good position. Gaming online allows you to familiarise yourself with the slang without the intimidating aspect of playing in front of others and can help you to develop the confidence you need to become a seasoned player.
