Action – When playing at a table, money being “put into action” means placing a wager. Action is used to describe the total wagered during a session of play.

Active Player – A poker term meaning a person still playing in the current game.

Ante – A bet needed to begin playing in certain card games such as Casino Stud Poker. Often required before receiving cards.

Baccarat – Game using six or eight decks of playing cards. Some versions require skill such as Chemin De Fer, others like Punto Banco are games of chance.

Bankroll – This is the total amount of money that a casino player has to back their wagers. Also may refer to amount of funds players set aside specifically for gambling. Some players further divide by weeks, days or even specific categories such as a poker bankroll versus a baccarat bankroll. Also called roll or wad.

Bingo – Prize game utilizing numbers and letters where players attempt to spell out the word BINGO. Traditionally played in halls, game varies from place to place.

Break-Even Point – The point where bets made end up equal to the payoffs received in return.

Buy in – When cash is converted into chips, also the amount of money paid to buy casino chips at table games such as roulette, poker, blackjack or craps.

Call – A poker term which indicates a player intends to match the current wager.

Card Sharp – An expert highly skilled in card games.

Casino – At first, the term casino was used to describe places that hosted both bands and dancing for public enjoyment. The name gradually came to mean an establishment catering to gambling.

Deal – The passing out of cards at a table during the game.

Face Cards – These are Jacks, Kings and Queens.

Flop – Used to describe the three cards dealt face up on the table in poker games such as Omaha and Texas Hold ‘em.

Hand – The cards a person holds for use during a game.

High Roller – A person who places large wagers.

Jackpot – A large win, typically at a slot machine..

Odds – Ratio indicating the probability of a win, set by the casino. Also, a fraction used to multiply a stake that is added to a bettor’s prize money if they win.

Payout – This is the amount paid to a winner in a casino game.

Poker – A type of card games that generally feature rounds and the ranking of hands. Played in casinos, private homes or online. Varieties include 7 Card Stud, Omaha, Lowball, Texas Hold ‘em, etc. 

Shuffling – The mixing of cards in a deck or shoe, often done a certain way that is traditional for the game the cards are being shuffled for. 

Stud Poker – Of the two primary kinds of poker games, this is one of the most popular. As opposed to Draw Poker, this style utilizes one card face up and other cards face down in what is called the hole.

Suit – Clubs, Hearts, Diamonds or Spades are each considered a suit.

Token – Chips used to represent money inside a gambling establishment.

Wild Card – A card, such as the Joker, which can be used to represent any card the player chooses.