Player Protection: Absage
The croupier's well-known "rien ne va plus" ("no more bets"). From the moment of this announcement on no more bets may be placed.
GLOSSARY OF THE GAME WORLD
THE CASINO WORLD IN A NUTSHELL
Here you will find the technical terms for all casino games offered.
Search in the casino glossary for keywords and terms and find the corresponding explanation at the push of a button.
First select a game or all casino games and then enter the keyword you are looking for:
Add-on
Option in certain tournament formats to purchase additional tournament chips for a fee at a predetermined time (often during the first break). Add-ons are usually available regardless of current stack size and can significantly influence strategy, as they affect stack dynamics and the tournament phase.
Alignieren
Arrangement of chips on the table by value.
All wins paid on lit lines
All wins are paid out on selected lit lines.
#hit#payline#pays only when lit#slot machine#winAll-in
The act of wagering all available chips. If a stack does not cover a bet fully, a main pot and, if needed, side pots are created; the all‑in player can only win the portion of the pot they contributed to.
Annoncieren
The announcement of a game (e.g. "Zero et les deux voisins") and passing of the chips to the croupier. The croupier will then place the chips according to the player's wishes.
Ante
Mandatory minimum contribution before the cards are dealt, increasing the starting pot and encouraging more active play. Some formats use a “Big Blind Ante,” where the big blind posts the entire table’s ante to streamline gameplay.
Ante Box
Playing area in Tropical Stud Poker layout.
Ass
Card worth 1 or 11
Ass-König
Minimum value of dealer’s hand permitting a comparison
Aussteigen
Retire from round on payment of the ante.
Austauschkarte
Card given to patron in exchange for one of the originally dealt cards on payment of the amount of the ante.
Bad Beat
A situation where a strong hand, despite being ahead, loses to an unlikely draw or weaker initial holding.
Bank
Casino or croupier being played against.
Begrüßungsjetons
Chips which were purchased at a discount and cannot be exchanged back into cash.
Bet
The first wager in a betting round if no bet has been made previously. A bet can serve value extraction, information gathering, or strategic pressure (bluff/semi-bluff).
Bet box
Playing area in Tropical Stud Poker layout in which the ante is placed.
Big Blind
The larger of the two forced bets posted before the cards are dealt. It typically sets the baseline bet size and influences minimum raise amounts.
#blindsBlack Jack
21 with the first two cards (an ace and a 10 or face card). Payouts are made 3:2. Exception Even Money, Stand off.
Blinds
Small Blind and Big Blind - mandatory bets posted before each hand to seed the pot and maintain game flow.
Bluff
A bet or raise made with a hand unlikely to be best, aiming to force opponents to fold.
Board
The five community cards placed face up in the center of the table in Hold’em or Omaha.
#common (community) cards#river card#turn cardBomb Pot
A special hand where all players post a fixed amount before the deal. Often, the preflop betting round is skipped, and the flop (or multiple boards in variants) is dealt immediately, creating larger pots and higher variance.
Boxen
Areas where bets are placed.
Boxeninhaber
The main player on a box, who makes the decisions for all of the guests playing on the box (generally the guest sitting in front of the respective box)
Bubble
The tournament phase just before reaching the paid places. Payout structure and stack distribution heavily affect risk tolerance; decisions are often ICM-driven.
Burn
To discard the top card from the deck, face down. This is done between each betting round before putting out the next community card(s). It is security against any player recognizing or glimpsing the next card to be used on the board.
Bust
Card value over 21
Button Straddle
Spezielle Form des Straddles, bei der der freiwillige Zusatzeinsatz vom Spieler auf dem Dealer Button geleistet wird. Der Einsatz erfolgt vor dem Austeilen der Karten und beträgt üblicherweise das Doppelte des Big Blinds. Die Preflop-Setzreihenfolge beginnt links vom Button, wodurch sich die Positionsdynamik gegenüber dem klassischen UTG-Straddle verschiebt.
A straddle placed from the dealer button before the cards are dealt, usually twice the big blind. Preflop action begins left of the button, shifting positional dynamics relative to the UTG straddle.
Buy-in
Amount required by patron to join in a game or to play a tournament.
Cagnotte
It is an international custom to leave a small part of your winnings - as much as you feel is appropriate - for the casino staff. The wages for the casino staff are paid from the so-called "Cagnotte" according to statutory provisions. This is not a personal tip for the croupier.
Cagnotte Box
Box for received tips
Call Attendant
Call casino attendant
Cancel credit
Payout of the credit balance
#cash meter#cash out#collect#credit#winner paid#wins paid by attendantCard
Said by player when he/she wants another card
Carre
Carre Place a bet on the table with four cards of the same kind at the same time.
Cash Box
Box for the cash.
Cash Game
Poker format where chips have real monetary value and players can enter or leave at any time.
Chance
In Roulette there are several ways to win. Even money chances which payout 1 to 1, and multiple chances which payout multiples of the original bet.
Check-Raise
A tactic where a player checks first and then raises after an opponent bets.
Cheval
French: Horse. The possibility of placing a single bet simultaneously on two neighbouring numbers on the tableau.
Chip
coin
Chiptray
Depression in the table in front of the dealer containing the bank chips.
Column
Multiple chance. Possibility to bet on one of the three vertical columns ("column 34", "column 35", and "column 36". Payout 2:1
Common (Community) Cards
Face-up cards shared by all players to form their best five-card hand. In Texas Hold’em, there are five: flop, turn, and river.
#board#river card#turn cardContinuation Bet (C-Bet)
A bet on the flop (or later streets) by the player who had initiative in the previous round, usually the preflop raiser.
#betCoup
A complete game from placement of the bets until all wins are paid out.
Croupier
Person who manages the game and makes the pay-outs.
Cut-Jetons
Special chips whose value is defined by the player upon purchase. They are used in American Roulette.
Dealer
The croupier's designation in poker.
Dealer Button
Marker that denotes the dealer position and dictates betting order. It moves clockwise after every hand. Postflop, the button acts last.
Deck
A card package with 52 cards.
Director
Is responsible overall for the casino and makes final decisions.
Discard rack
Rack where discarded cards are placed.
Dolly
Small metal figure with which the point is marked on the layout.
Doppel-Zero
Roulette wheels originally had a second double zero (00), and this was first dispensed with by Francois Blanc in Bad Homburg, giving this casino a major competitive advantage over the competition. It gives players a much higher chance of winning.
Double
After receiving the first two cards of a hand the player can decide to double his bet under the condition he receive only one more card. Management can limit doubling depending on the variant of the game.
Draw
An incomplete hand that needs additional cards to improve (e.g., flush draw, straight draw).
#standDrop collection
Type of fee that is withheld from the pot in poker.
Dutzend
One of the multiple chances (see). Players bet on 1-12 (Premier Douze - the first twelve numbers), on 13-24 (Douze Milieux - the middle dozen - the second twelve numbers) or 25-36 (Douze Dernier - the third twelve numbers). Payout 2:1.
Early Position
Seats near the blinds where players act first postflop, offering less information and requiring tighter play.
Einfache Chancen
Red-black, even-odd, 1st-18th - 19th - 26th. Payout ratio 1:1
Even
Term for the 18 even numbers on an American Roulette table. Payout 1:1.
Even money
1:1 pay-out on blackjack at player’s request if the dealer’s first card is an ace.
Farben
The different colours for clubs, hearts, diamonds and spades.
Flip
A situation where two (or more) players are all-in with nearly equal equity (e.g., a pair vs. two overcards).
Floorman
Casino employee who is responsible for overseeing the poker game.
Flop
The first three community cards dealt simultaneously.
Flush
Five cards of the same suit.
#drilling#high card#paar#poker#royal flush#straight#straight flush#zwei paareFreezeout
A tournament format with no rebuys or re-entries; once a player loses all chips, they are eliminated.
Freie Plätze
Open seats are filled by the floorman or croupier.
Full House
A hand with three of a kind plus a pair. Between multiple full houses, the higher triplet determines the winner.
Gegen die Bank spielen
Playing against the trend. For example, by playing the opposite of a chance that has just or frequently come up.
Geteilte Hände
Card combinations that emerge after a split.
Gewinntabelle
Table with the payout ratios.
Große Serie
Combination game that covers a certain sector of the wheel and 17 numbers (22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25). For this game 9 chips are required.
Hand
Refers either to a player’s cards or a complete round of dealing and action. In tracking contexts, it can denote a single recorded game instance.
Heads-Up
A situation with only two players, either in a specific hand or as a game format.
High Card
If a hand does not make a combination, the high card counts.
#drilling#flush#paar#poker#royal flush#straight#straight flush#zwei paareHole Cards
Private cards dealt face down. Texas Hold’em players receive two; Omaha variations use four or more.
ICM (Independent Chip Model)
A mathematical model converting tournament chips into expected monetary value based on payout structure.
Impair
Term for the 18 odd numbers on a French Roulette table. Payout 1:1.
Insurance Line
Area for insurance
ITM (In the Money)
Having reached a paid position in a tournament.
Jackpot, double progressive
Two progressive jackpots which can be won on one and the same slot machine (see Jackpot, progressive)
#jackpot#jackpot, progressive#slot machine#when lit#wins paid by attendantJackpot, progressive
Jackpot whose value grows steadily with every bet
#jackpot#slot machine#when lit#wins paid by attendantJeton
Chips
Kapitalreserve
Capital added to the tables, if necessary.
Kartenwert
Face value of a card (2-10), 10 for a picture cards and 1 or 11 for an ace.
Kaufen
Request another card from the dealer
Kessel
Roulette equipment made of high-quality wood having the 37 numbered slots situated in its centre. It runs on a ball bearing mounted shaft.
Kesselabschnitt
Certain sector of the bowl.
Kicker
A side card deciding the winner when main combinations match (e.g., both players have one pair, highest kicker wins).
Late Position
Positions such as cutoff and button, acting last postflop and offering significant informational advantage.
Layout
Printed area of the table.
Limp
Calling the big blind preflop without raising.
Manque
Term for the numbers 1-18 on a French Roulette table.
Markierte Jetons
Value chips that are marked. These are given to special guests in French Roulette.
Maximum
Maximum bet in a box.
Mehrfache Chancen
Columns, dozens (2:1), transverse simple (5:1), transverse plein (11:1), carré (8:1), cheval (17:1), plein (35:1).
Minimum
Minimum bet
Mississippi Straddle
An extended straddle variant in which any player, regardless of their position, may place a straddle. The Mississippi straddle is placed before the cards are dealt and is usually at least double the big blind. Preflop action begins to the left of the straddling player, which means that the betting order can change flexibly.
Multiway Pot
A pot involving more than two players.
Nicht qualifiziert
The dealer has a hand lower than ace-king; the ante is paid out at 1:1 and the round is over.
Nichts geht mehr
"Rien ne va plus" or "no more bets" - an announcement made by the croupier that no more bets may be placed.
No Limit
Poker format in which bets and raises up to the amount of the entire stack are possible.
#limit#pot limit#split limitNuts
The best possible hand that is possible at a given moment and with a given board configuration.
Odd
Term for the 18 odd numbers on an American Roulette table. Payout 1:1.
Only highest winner paid
Only the highest winning combination is paid.
#cash out#collect#slot machine#winner paidOrphelins
French for "orphans". Combination game in which two certain, separate sectors of the wheel are covered. For this game (1, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 31, 34) 5 chips are required.
Out of position (OOP)
A situation in which a player must act before their opponent and therefore has less information.
Paid by attendant
Win is paid by a casino attendant.
#press button#push to collect#service#wins paid by attendantPair
Term for the 18 even numbers on a French Roulette table. Payout 1:1.
Paroli
If the player wins and then leaves his stake and winnings on the same number to play again. See also "Play with the bank's money".
Passe
Term for the numbers 19-36 on a French Roulette table.
Pays only when lit
Wins are only paid on the lit lines selected.
#all wins paid on lit lines#hit#payline#when lit#winPermanence display
Electronic unit that displays the last 15 to 20 numbers which came up at a table allowing more exact observation of the game.
Permanenz
The written or electronic records of all the numbers which come up at the table listed in series. Particularly important for system players. In most casinos you can purchase the permanence as a computer printout.
Place your bets
Place your bets - the croupier's call to play the game.
Plaque
Rectangular chip of high value.
Play coins or credits before pulling handle
Insert coins or vouchers before pulling the handle (starting the game).
#handle#player#slot machinePlein
Even number in Roulette (zero to 36).
Pocket Cards
Alternative term for hole cards; describes a player's face-down private cards. In many contexts, “pocket” is also used to refer to pairs (e.g., “pocket aces”).
Pot
Total of all bets played in one hand.
Pot Limit
A version of poker in which a player may bet up to the amount of money in the pot whenever it is his turn to act.
#limit#no limit#split limitPreispool
The total amount of tournament prize money that will be shared among the winners.
Qualifiziert
The croupier has an ace and a king or higher.
Rake
Fee taken by the casino, usually from pots in cash games or as a tournament fee.
Rebuy
Option in certain tournaments to purchase more chips after losing the stack or below a threshold.
Rien ne va plus
"Rien ne va plus" or "no more bets" - announcement made by the croupier that no more bets may be placed.
River Card
Fifth and final community card. After the river, if several players are still active, the showdown follows, or the hand is concluded by folding.
#board#common (community) cards#turn cardRoyal Flush
Highest combination of cards consisting of five cards of one suit from ten to ace.
#drilling#flush#high card#paar#poker#straight#straight flush#zwei paareRun it twice
Agreement – typically in cash games – whereby, after the betting is complete (often after an all-in), the remaining community cards are dealt twice. The pot is divided into two equal parts and each run is evaluated separately.
Saalchef
The floorman is responsible for the daily administration in the casino gaming areas and is a contact person for the guests
Second Chance
Shot Clock
Time rule that limits the decision time per action. Players must act within a specified time window; optional additional time cards or time credits can be used. Shot clocks serve to speed up the game and ensure fair distribution of table time, especially in tournaments or when there is a high volume of play.
Showdown
The phase at the end of a hand in which the remaining players reveal their cards to determine the best hand. The showdown occurs after the final bet on the river or earlier if no further betting actions are possible.
Siebener Drilling
If a player has three sevens, an immediate 3:2 pay-out is made.
Slow Play
Playing a strong hand passively to induce more action from opponents.
Small Blind
The smaller forced bet placed to the left of the button.
Small Series
Combination game that covers a certain sector of the wheel and includes 12 numbers (27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33).This game requires a stake of 6 chips.
Spielrunde
A complete game from placing the bets through to paying out all of the winnings.
Split
If the first two cards are identical (e.g. two eights, but also any combination of 10 and picture card), they can be split (with an additional bet of the same amount as the original bet being placed on the second card).
Split Limit
A version of poker in which the amount of the bet is fixed for each player.
#limit#no limit#pot limitStack
Total chips a player has available
Stand off
Guest retains bet (only possible on don’t pass if the first roll is 12).
Stay
Said by player when he/she does not want a further card.
Straddle
Voluntary additional bet before the cards are dealt outside of the regular blind structure, often equal to twice the big blind and usually from under the gun position.
Straight
Run of five cards in sequence regardless of suit.
#drilling#flush#high card#paar#poker#royal flush#straight flush#zwei paareStraight Flush
Run of five cards in sequence of the same suit.
#drilling#flush#high card#paar#poker#royal flush#straight#zwei paareSuite
Banker gives up the bank prematurely.
Table Stake
Total number of chips that a player has on the table during a game. He may only use that capital for betting during a game in progress. It is allowed to add more money to the table stake between two games. As long as a player is involved in the game, he is not allowed to take any money from his table stake.
Tableau
Printed cloth, also playing area.
Teilen
If the card value of the first two cards is equal, the player can split, which means he can form a new hand with the second card by placing his original bet once more. When splitting, the combination ace/10 or ace/face produces the value 21 and not a Black Jack. If the player splits two aces then he only receives one card per ace - as long as he does not split again. Management can offer variants of the game and thereby restrict the number of hands being split (also dependent on card value).
Three-Bet / Four-Bet
Terms for raises in a betting sequence:
- 3‑bet = reraise after an open raise
- 4‑bet = raise after a 3‑bet
Time Collection
Cash game fee model where players pay based on time (e.g., hourly) instead of pot rake.
Timebank
Additional time credit available to players—in tournament structures with a shot clock—to allow them more time to make decisions in complex situations. The time bank may be limited per hand/level or managed as a rechargeable time account, depending on the rules.
#shot clockTransversale pleine
A bet on a diagonal row of three numbers (e.g. 7-8-9), payout 11:1.
Transversale simple
A bet on a diagonal row of six numbers (e.g. 7-8-9-10-11-12), payout 5:1.
Trinkgeld
Normally one chip to the value of the en Plein bet. It is also generally accepted to tip two or three chips "Pour les employés", "for the staff", as a token of appreciation for the winnings or of the service provided by the croupier. The wages for the casino staff are paid from the tips or so-called "Cagnotte" according to statutory provisions. This is not a personal tip for the croupier.
Tronc
Tips from which the wages for the casino staff are paid.
Turn Card
The forth community card that is dealt face up on the table.
#board#common (community) cards#river cardUnder the Gun (UTG)
First position to act preflop, immediately after the blinds.
Value Bet
Betting with one hand that is expected to be ahead in order to get paid by weaker hands. The goal is to maximize expected profit; the size and timing of the value bet depend on the opponent's calling range, board structure, and stack sizes.
Verdoppeln
After receiving the first two cards of a hand the player can decide to double his bet under the condition he receive only one more card. Management can limit doubling depending on the variant of the game.
Verkaufen
The player/dealer has more than 21.
Versichern
If the croupier's first card is an Ace, players may insure their bet against a possible blackjack with the bank. An insurance bet can be any amount between half and double the player's original bet wagered, in half minimum steps.
Versicherung
If the dealer’s first card is an ace and he/she makes blackjack with the second card, the insurance payout is 2:1 (see insurance).
Walk
A situation in which the big blind wins the hand because all players before him (including the small blind) fold before the flop.
Wins paid by attendant
Wins paid by attendant.
#paid by attendant#press button#push to collect#serviceZeitbank
Synonym for timebank; refers to additional decision time available, especially in online environments or tournament formats with a time limit per action.
#timebankZero / Doppel Zero
Zero game
Combination game that covers a certain sector of the wheel around the zero (0) (12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, 15). For this game 4 chips are required.
Zwei Paare
Hand containing two different pairs.
#drilling#flush#high card#paar#poker#royal flush#straight#straight flush