Black|jack [blækdʒæk]

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Basic Gameplay: Before any blackjack game starts, a wager must be placed. This is followed by the player being dealt two cards face up, while the dealer receives two cards, one face up, one face down. The first move is always down to the player, who eventually needs his combination of cards to be close to or exactly 21 in points. A player can choose to "stand", meaning he wishes not to receive any more cards and hands the turn over to the dealer. This is usually done when the point value of his two initial cards is close to or exactly 21. A player can also choose to request one (or more) cards, an action refered to as "hit", so long as he does not exceed 21, at which time the dealer automatically wins.

Once the player decides against receive a further card, it's the dealers turn. He will automatically draw cards until he has reached 17 or more, or exceeds 21. If the dealers first two cards are already 17 or more in points, he stands automatically.

At this stage, the game is finished and the side with the highest total value wins. Should the point value of the players and dealers cards be equal, the game is tied and both sides receive back their bet.

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Card Values: The points assigned to each card is equivalent to their face value. Jacks, queens and kings are valued at 10, while an ace is worth either 1 or 10 points. A combination of an ace and a 10, jack, queen or king is called a blackjack and wins the game automatically while also paying back 150% of the bet.

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Betting Options: There are multiple betting options for the player that he can choose in different situations during the game, namely insurance, double down and split.

Insurance: The idea behind a player buying insurance is to protect himself from dealer turning up a blackjack. This can be done anytime the first card of the dealer shows an ace. If a player decides to go for insurance, he will bet an additional 50% of his initial wager. Should the dealer receive a blackjack, this bet will payout at 2:1, meaning the player will win as much as he looses. However, if the dealer does not turn up a blackjack, the insurance bet is lost, with players still being able to play with their initial wager.

Double Down: Players can double down after receiving their two face cards. This will result in the initial wager being increased by 100%. However, it also means that he will only receive one more card before the dealers turn.

Split: Players are able to split if their initial 2 cards pair. Splitting them will result in the player receiving two more cards and thereby playing two hands individually. The wager on each of the two hands will be equal to the initial bet, meaning it increases by a total of 100%.

Blackjack – a hand combination that automatically wins the game, consisting of an ace and another card of value 10.

Bust – a hand that is valued at more than 21, loosing automatically.

Card Counting – a practice in which a skilled player keeps track of the cards that have already been dealt in previous games, thereby increasing his chances of winning.

Dealer – a casino employee that hands out the cards at each table.

Deck – the term used to describe the standard set of 52 cards used in blackjack.

Double Down – a rule that allows a player to double his bet while receiving only one more card.

Hand – the cards that are dealt to each player

Hit – requesting one more card on top of the cards a player already holds.

House – another word used to describe the casino.

Insurance – an additional bet that a player can choose to protect himself from a blackjack if the dealers card shows an ace.

Push – a term used to describe a draw between the dealer and the player, in which case both sides will receive their wager back.

Shuffle – the process of mixing the cards before they are dealt.

Splitting Pairs – a player has the option to split cards that are identical in value and continue playing with two sets of hands.

…that the name "blackjack" originates from a variation of the rules that has now been withdrawn? When the game was introduced in the USA, casinos offered a special 10 to 1 payout if the player's cards consisted of an ace of spades and either the jack of clubs or jack of spades.

…that, contrary to what many casinos want to make you believe, card counting is not illegal? It can however result in you being barred from the casino.

…that card counting is no longer possible in most casinos? Nowadays, cards are usually shuffled every time one of the multiple decks has been played, thereby reintroducing the exhausted cards into the game.

Rou|lette [ʀuˈlɛtə]

Roulette was invented in the 18^th century in France, with the word itself meaning "little wheel" in French. It is considered to be best-known and most popular casino game worldwide. The game is played by placing a bet on a table with a felt, consisting of numbers and symbols. This is followed by the croupier spinning a wheel in one direction and a ball in the opposite direction. After the ball looses its momentum, it falls into one of 37 (French & European roulette) or 38 (American roulette) pockets, thereby determining winning and loosing bets.
Players of roulette cannot take game decisions that will change the "house-edge", which is constant at 2,7% when playing the French and European version and 5,6% with American roulette.

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Betting Options: Players can place a bet on anyone or a combination of fields available on the roulette table. These include the 37 numbers (from 0 to 36), red or black, even or odd, dozens (from 1 to 12, 13 to 24 and 25 to 36), split (two adjoining numbers) and on the 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd column, among others. Regardless of the bet or the combination of bets, the payout percentage is always slightly below the chance of winning.

Black – describes a bet on all numbers in black that pays 1 to 1.

Column Bet – a bet on one of the three vertical columns on the roulette table that pays 2 to 1

Corner Bet – a bet on a total of four numbers that is made by placing a chip in the middle of the of the numbers.

Croupier – the casino employee that is responsible for the play on a roulette table.

Double Zero – a field found only on the American version of roulette, giving the casino an additional edge over the player.

Dozens Bet – a bet placed on either one of three dozens of numbers available (1 to 12, 13 to 24 or 25 to 36) that pays 2 to 1.

Even – a bet placed on all even numbers on the table that pays 1 to 1.

High or Low – a bet on either one of two sets of 18 numbers available (1 to 18 or 19 to 36) that pays 1 to 1.

House Edge – the mathematical advantage that the casino has over the player. With European roulette, this edge is 2,7%, while its 5,26% with the American version.

Odd – a bet placed on all odd numbers on the table that pays 1 to 1.

Parley – a term used to describe when a player repeats the same bet by leaving the winnings from the previous round on the table.

Red – describes a bet on all red numbers that pays 1 to 1.

Single Number – a bet on any one of the 37 numbers on the table that pays 1 to 35.

Street Bet – a bet on 3 numbers in one line that pays 11 to 1.

Zero – a bet on the number 0 that pays 35 to 1.

…that all of the numbers on a roulette wheel add up to 666? This is the reason behind the fact that the game is sometimes referred to as "the devil's game".

…that there is no combination of bets or betting system that allows a player to change the house edge? However, there is no shortage of people claiming that the so-called Martingale system does allow the game to be played profitably by betting on i.e. red or black and always doubling the bet after every loss.

…that the great Albert Einstein was quoted as saying: "The online way to beat roulette is to steal money from the table."

Slot Ma|chines [slɒt məʃiːn]

Slot Machines, or simply slots, were invented in the late 19^th century. In 2025, Microgaming, still one of the largest makers of casino software today, developed the first online slot. However many thousands of different types of slots there are worldwide, they are all based on spinning reels that make up a certain combination of symbols that, once stopped, determine the return of a wager. With both land-based and online casinos, slots are the most common and numerous type of game in existence. They also account for a large proportion of casino revenues.
The payout ratio of online slots vary from product to product, with anything from 95% to 98% considered to be the norm. It is safe to assume that playing online slots as opposed to land-based ones increases the chance of a positive return significantly.

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Betting Options: The sheer number of online slots and the innovative nature of the market have resulted in countless variations of the traditional slot that vary from one aspect to the other. Nowadays, players place a wager per payline, with more increasing the likelihood of hitting a winning combination. Slots with up to 50 paylines are more and more becoming the norm, as are bonus rounds and bonus games that are frequently interactive.

Hold & Respin – this option gives the player the possibility to hold one or more reels of his choice and spin the remaining reels in order to obtain a more favorable combination of symbols.

House Edge – the mathematical advantage that slot has over a player. The exact number varies from game to game, but is usually lower with online slots.

Jackpot – the biggest single payout that a player can expect to receive from playing a slot.

Max Bet – the highest bet a player can wager on a single spin.

Multiline – the term refers to any slot that offers more than a single payline.

One-Armed Bandits – a name given to real-life slots due to the lever that were found on most older machines.

Payback Ratio – essentially the opposite of the house edge, this term refers to the average ratio of winnings vs. losses when playing a slot.

Payline – one or a number of lines across the reels that determine what combination of symbols win. With online slots, the number of paylines can reach up to 100.

Progressive Jackpots – this term refers to a kind of jackpot that grows with each bet that is placed. Progressive jackpots can also be “pooled”, meaning that different (online) casinos will contribute to and offer the same jackpot. The effect is that jackpots are usually higher in value.

Reel – a term used to describe the spinning wheels on a slot machine.

Random Number Generator – also called RNG, is used to describe the algorithm that determines the combination of symbols with each play.

Scatter Symbols – a symbol that will result in a win regardless of its location.

Symbols – the term used to describe the pictures on the wheel.

Video Slots – a term used to describe the new generation of online slots that stand out due to their advanced graphics and which are known to offer different kinds of bonus rounds or mini-games within the traditional gameplay.

Wild Symbol – a symbol that essentially acts as any other symbol on the wheel, much like a joker with many card games.

…that slot machines are estimated to account for 60% of all gambling-related casino revenue worldwide?

…that the largest jackpot ever paid out to an online player totaled 11.7 million euros, with a lucky player from Norway playing a slot called "Mega Fortune" on Betsson Casino.

Bac|ca|rat [ˈbakara]

Baccarat is a card game that was invented in Italy in the 15th century. The word "Baccarat" means Zero in both French and Italian. Nowadays, the game is being offered by almost every real and online casino, with it being especially popular in Asia. Just like Blackjack, Baccarat is a card comparing game between the "player" and the "banker", with each game ending in one of three outcomes: "player", "banker" or "tie".

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Basic Gameplay: At the start of the game, the player is required to make a bet on which hand will achieve a score of 9 or closest to 9, or if the hands in play will tie. After this, both the player and the banker are dealt 2 cards face-up, with the player always going first. If the players hand value ranges between 0 and 5, he must draw a third card. If it totals more than 5, the play moves on to the banker, who has to draw another card if his card value ranges between 0 and 3. If the bankers hand is worth 7 to 9, he will stand. If the bankers cards show any value inbetween, 4 to 6, he will decide according to the players cards. After the game is finished, the player wins if he has wagered the most on the winning hand, be it the bankers or his own.

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Hand Values: In baccarat, the card values vary from other card games. Jack, Queen, King and 10 are worth 0, an Ace is worth 1, with all other cards being valued according to their face value. The total hand value is calculated by dropping the tens digit of a hand worth 11 or more. Example: the hand 6 and 8 will be worth 4, since 6 + 8 = 14 and 14 – 10 = 4. Of all combinations, the worst possible hand is 0, which is also called "baccarat". The best hand in the game is one that totals 9.

American Baccarat – a variation of the game in which only two hands, the players and bankers, are dealt, regardless of the number of people on the table. All players present may nevertheless place bets on the outcome of the game.

Baccarat – refers to both the name of the game and the worst hand in the game, which has a total value of 0.

Baccarat En Banque – the most common type of baccarat in Europe, where the banker is an employee of the casino rather than a player (unlike with chemin-de-fer).

Banker/Player Bet – a bet on either the cards of the dealer or the player. Either bet is lost if the game ends up in a tie.

Croupier – a casino employee who is responsible for dealing the cards.

Chemin-de-fer – a french variation of baccarat, meaning “railroad”, in which one of the players assumes the role of the dealer, taking the bets and dealing the cards.

Coupe – a single round of baccarat.

House Edge – the percentage value that defines the odds that the casino holds over the player. The house edge with baccarat varies depending on what bet is placed: a banker bet will result in 1.06%, a player bet in 1.24% and a tie bet in 14.36%.

Le Grande – the best possible hand in baccarat, with a total value of 9 in natural (meaning a 9 consisting of two cards).

Le Petit – the second best possible hand in baccarat, with a total value of 8 in natural (meaning a 8 consisting of two cards).

Natural – the original two cards which equal a total of either 8 or 9.

Punto – an italian word used to describe the player.

Punto Banko – the italian expression for baccarat.

Standoff – a word used to describe a tie between the player and the banker.

Tie Bet – a bet on the outcome that the hand of the player and the banker will be of equal value.

… that baccarat is the game of choice for high rollers in Las Vegas and, especially, in Macau? Single bets are oftentimes of much greater value than with any other casino game, sometimes totaling as much as $100.000.

…the house edge of baccarat is one of the lowest of any casino game? A bankers bet holds an edge of 1.06%, a value that can only be matched by very skilled blackjack players.

Craps [ˈkræps]

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Should the come-out roll be a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, than that number becomes the so-called "point". The objective now is to roll that number again before a 7. If that case, the shooter wins, any other number except the 7 will result in an additional role. Should the 7 come up, the shooter looses and a new round of craps begins. During this phase of the game, the shooter and players at the table can place different bets on the outcome of the next throw.

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Betting Options: There are a number of different betting options that allow a craps player to wager on the outcome of the game.

Pass Line Bet/ Don't Pass Line Bet: a pass-line bet means that the player bets on the numbers 7 and 11 during the come-out roll. If a 2,3 or 12 are rolled, the pass line bet looses. Don't Pass Line bets work exactly the opposite, meaning 7 and 11 looses while the numbers 2,3 and 12 win.

Come Line Bet/Don't Come Line Bet: these bets can be made only after the "point" has been established. Basically, these bets are the same as Pass and Don't Pass bets – a come line bet wins with 7 or 11 and looses with 2, 3 or 12. All other numbers establish a point, on which the bet is placed. If that point is rolled before a 7, the player wins.

Single Role Bets: like come line bets, these can only be made after a "point" has been established. As the name implies, single role bets are made on the outcome of the next dice roll and can be anything from a certain combination on numbers (for example 1 & 1, known as "snake eyes") to a "hi-lo bet" that wins when either 2 or 12 are rolled. All single role bets tend to be risky and increase the house edge, so they are not recommended for beginners.

Odds Bets: these are basically back-up bets that a player can make in order to increase the Pass Line/Don't Pass Line Bet once he has made it past the come out roll. These bets are placed on the Pass Line field and are the only bets in any casino game that do not carry a house edge. Usually, these bets are limited to two to three times the initial wager.

Any Craps – a bet on a single roll that wins if the dice show a 2, 3 or 12.

Any Seven – a bet on a single roll that wins if the dice show a 7.

Big 6 & Big 8 – a bet on the outcome that a 6 or an 8 will come before a 7.

Come Out Roll – the first role of the dice.

Craps – the name of the game as well as the name for a 2, 3 or 12 on the come out role.

Don't Pass Bet – a bet that wins in the come out roll on the numbers 2,3 and 12 and looses with 7 or 11.

Hi-Lo Bet – the name for a single roll bet on 2 and 12.

Horn Bet – a name for a bet on the numbers 2,3, 11 or 12.

Odds Bets – an additional bet on the pass or don't pass line once a point has been established. These bets carry no house edge.

Pass Bet – a bet that wins in the come out roll on the numbers 7 or 11 and looses with 2,3 or 12.

Point – or "Point Number", is the number that is established after the come out roll. This number is either 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10.

Right Bettor – the name for any player that bets on the dice passing, or winning.

Seven Out – this term is used to describe the situation where a 7 is rolled after the point has been established.

Shooter – the player who rolls the dice.

Single Role Bets – also called "One Role Bets, are bets on the outcome of the next roll of the dice.

Wrong Bettor – a name for a player that bets on the dice not passing, or loosing.

…that the so-called Odds Bet is the only wager that a player can make in any casino game that carries no house edge?

….that the dice used in casinos are always clear so that illegal dice that carry weights can be easily spotted?

…that Big-6 and Big-8 bets are sucker bets that carry a huge house-edge? This has lead some gambling authorities to ban them entirely (i.e. Atlantic City).