Casino Glossary

Bust (blackjack) - To hit a hand so that the total goes over 21, making it a losing hand.

Cashier's Cage - The place, usually in the rear of a casino, where a player may redeem casino chips for cash or make credit arrangements.

Casino Advantage - The edge the house has over the player in any game.

Credit Button (video poker) - A button that allows a player to bank coins won as credits and use the credits to play without putting in more money.

Double down - A player's option to double his original bet by turning over his first two cards and placing an amount equal to the original bet on the layout.

Draw Button (video poker) - Allows player to draw up to five new cards.

Front Money - Cash or bank checks deposited with the casino to establish credit for a player who bets against that money.

Edge - See casino advantage.

Hole Card (blackjack) - The dealer's unseen card.

Loose (slots) - A slot machine that pays off liberally and gives the house only a small advantage of the player.

Natural - 1) Blackjack: Ace and ten-value card as original hand. 2) Baccarat: An 8 or 9 dealt in the first two hands.

Nut - 1) The overhead costs of running a casino, or 2) A fixed amount that a gambler sets out to win in day.

Pit - The area inside a cluster of gaming tables.

Progressive Slots - Slots that allow you to increase the potential jackpot each time a new coin is inserted for play.

Red-Black Bet (roulette) - An outside wager on whether the next spin will be a red or black number, paid off at even money.