Gambling Terms Glossary From A to Z

The Top 15 Gambling Terms

1. Aggressive (Poker Term)

In poker, “aggressive” describes a style of play characterized by bold and assertive betting or raising. An aggressive player tends to take control of the action by frequently making sizable bets or raises, putting pressure on opponents and potentially forcing them to fold weaker hands.

2. All In

“All in” is a pivotal moment in gambling, particularly in poker, where a player places all their remaining chips into the pot. This move signifies a commitment to the hand, with the player betting everything they have left. It's a high-risk, high-reward maneuver that can either lead to a substantial gain or result in elimination from the game.

3. Bluff (Poker Term)

In the strategic game of poker, a “bluff” occurs when a player bets or raises with a weak or marginal hand, intending to deceive opponents into believing they have a stronger hand than they actually do. The goal of bluffing is to induce opponents to fold better hands, allowing the bluffer to win the pot without having to show their cards.

4. Check (Poker Term)

In poker, “checking” refers to the act of abstaining from betting when it's one's turn to act, thereby passing the decision-making responsibility to the next player without contributing any chips to the pot. Checking is typically done when a player believes their hand isn't strong enough to warrant a bet but still wishes to remain in the hand and see the next community card without investing additional chips.

5. Double Down (Blackjack Term)

In the game of blackjack, “double down” refers to the option for a player to double their initial bet after receiving their first two cards, with the condition that they will receive only one more card from the dealer. This strategic move is often made when a player believes their hand has a high probability of beating the dealer's hand with the addition of just one more card.

6. Blackjack

In blackjack, the winning hand is one that achieves a total card value closest to 21 without exceeding it. This is commonly known as “getting blackjack” or having a “natural.” Typically, this is accomplished with an initial two-card hand consisting of an Ace and a card with a value of 10 (10, Jack, Queen, or King). A player who achieves blackjack is usually paid out at odds of 3:2, unless the dealer also has blackjack, resulting in a push (tie) and the player's bet being returned.

7. Inside Bets

In various forms of gambling, particularly in casino games like roulette, “inside bets” refer to wagers placed on specific numbers within the betting layout. Due to their specificity, these bets typically offer higher payouts but lower odds of winning.

8. Insurance (Blackjack Term)

In games like blackjack, “insurance” is a side bet offered when the dealer's up card is an ace. Players have the option to wager an additional amount, usually half of their original bet, in anticipation of the dealer having a natural blackjack. If the dealer does indeed have a blackjack, the insurance bet pays out at 2:1, providing a form of protection against losses.

9. Jackpot

A “jackpot” in gambling refers to a large cash prize, often associated with slot machines, lotteries, or certain casino games. Jackpots can vary in size and may be fixed or progressive, with progressive jackpots growing incrementally until they are won.

10. Lines (Sports Betting Term)

In sports betting, “lines” refer to the odds or point spreads offered by bookmakers on a particular event or game. These lines determine the potential payout for a winning bet and can fluctuate based on factors such as betting volume and changes in the perceived likelihood of outcomes.

11. Odds

Odds signify the probability of a specific result happening during a gambling event. They can be expressed in various formats such as fractional, decimal, or moneyline odds, indicating the ratio of the probability of winning to the probability of losing.

12. Outside Bets

Contrary to inside bets, “outside bets” in casino games like roulette are wagers placed on broader outcomes such as red/black, even/odd, or high/low. While outside bets offer lower payouts compared to inside bets, they also have higher odds of winning.

13. Over/Under

In sports betting and other gambling activities, the term “over/under” denotes a type of bet in which participants forecast whether the total score, points, or goals in a given game or event will surpass or fall short of a predetermined number established by the bookmaker.

14. Semi-Bluff (Poker Term)

A “semi-bluff” in poker involves making a bet or raise with a hand that is not yet strong enough to win at showdown but has the potential to improve significantly with additional community cards. Unlike a pure bluff, a semi-bluff allows the player to win the pot either by inducing opponents to fold or by making a winning hand on later streets.

15. Single (Sports Betting Term)

In sports betting, a “single” refers to a straightforward bet placed on a single selection to win. It is also known as a straight-up bet and is one of the simplest and most common types of wagers in sports betting.