Gambling Terms P to R

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

P

Parlay

In gambling, a “parlay” is a type of bet that links two or more individual wagers into a single bet. The key feature of a parlay is that all the linked bets must win for the parlay to pay out. This makes it more challenging than placing each bet separately, but the potential rewards are significantly higher. The more bets included in a parlay, the greater the payout, due to the compounding odds.

Parlays are popular because they offer the chance for a large payout from a relatively small wager. They are commonly used in sports betting, where bettors may combine multiple game outcomes into one bet. However, the risk is also higher, as losing just one of the individual bets means losing the entire parlay.

Pass Line

In craps, the “Pass Line” is one of the most fundamental bets in the game. It’s a bet placed before the “come-out roll,” which is the first roll of a new round. If the come-out roll results in a 7 or 11, the Pass Line bet wins. If it results in a 2, 3, or 12, it loses, which is known as “crapping out.” Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) establishes the “point.”

Once the point is set, the objective is for the shooter to roll the point number again before rolling a 7. If they roll the point before a 7, the Pass Line bet wins; if a 7 comes first, the Pass Line bet loses. The Pass Line bet is popular for its simplicity and favorable odds, making it a common choice for both novice and experienced players.

Payline

In slot machines, a “Payline” is a line on which symbols must land in a specific pattern to result in a winning combination. Traditionally, slot machines had a single payline running across the middle of the reels. However, modern slots often feature multiple paylines, which can be straight, zigzag, or even take on various shapes across the reels.

The number of paylines varies from machine to machine, with some offering 20, 50, or even more than 100 paylines. Players usually have the option to choose how many paylines they want to bet on per spin. A winning combination on an active payline triggers a payout based on the machine’s payout table.

The introduction of multiple paylines has added complexity and more exciting possibilities to slot games, as players can win on multiple lines in a single spin. However, it’s important to remember that betting on more paylines increases the size of the bet.

Payoff

In gambling, a “payoff” refers to the amount of money or prize a player receives when they win a bet or game. The payoff is usually determined by the odds of the bet and the amount wagered. For example, in a simple bet with even odds, a winning $10 bet would typically result in a $10 payoff, totaling $20 returned to the player (the original bet plus the winnings).

Payoffs vary widely depending on the type of game or bet. In games like slots, the payoff can be a multiple of the bet based on the winning combination hit. In sports betting, payoffs are calculated based on the odds attached to the specific bet. The term is also used in lotteries or other gambling games to describe the winnings.

The concept of a payoff is central to gambling, as it represents the reward that players seek in exchange for the risk of their wager. Understanding how payoffs are calculated and what they represent helps gamblers make informed decisions about their bets.

Payout Percentage

The term “Payout Percentage,” in gambling, refers to the average amount of money that a gambling game or machine is programmed to return to players over time. This percentage is calculated based on the total amount of money wagered on the game or machine.

For example, if a slot machine has a payout percentage of 95%, it means that, on average, it returns $95 for every $100 wagered. The remaining 5% represents the house edge or the profit margin for the casino.

Payout percentages are particularly important in slot machines and video poker. In table games, the percentage might vary more based on the skill and strategy of the players. It’s a key factor for players to consider, as it indicates how “generous” a game might be. However, it’s important to remember that this is an average figure calculated over a long period and across many players, so individual session outcomes can vary widely.

Playthrough Requirement

In the context of casinos, particularly online casinos, a “Playthrough Requirement” refers to a condition attached to bonuses and promotions, dictating how much a player must wager before being able to withdraw winnings earned from the bonus money. Also known as wagering requirements or rollover requirements, these are expressed as a multiple of the bonus amount or the bonus plus the deposit amount.

For example, if a casino offers a $100 bonus with a 10x playthrough requirement, the player must wager $1,000 ($100 bonus x 10) before they can withdraw any winnings earned with the bonus money. If the requirement includes both the bonus and the deposit, and the player deposited $100 to get the $100 bonus, they would need to wager $2,000.

Playthrough requirements are a way for casinos to prevent immediate cash-outs of bonus funds, ensuring that players engage with the games. It’s essential for players to understand these requirements to evaluate the true value of a bonus and decide how much they are willing to wager.

Point

In craps, the term “Point” refers to a number established by the come-out roll (the first roll in a round of betting) if that roll ends up being a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. This number becomes the point for that particular game.

Here’s how it works:

1. Come-Out Roll: The shooter (the person rolling the dice) makes a come-out roll. If the dice land on 2, 3, or 12, it’s called “crapping out,” and the round ends. If the roll is a 7 or 11, it’s a “natural,” and the shooter wins. However, if the roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, this number becomes the “point.”
2. Subsequent Rolls: Once the point is established, the shooter continues to roll the dice. The goal now is to roll the point number again before rolling a 7.
3. Winning or Losing: If the shooter rolls the point number before a 7, they win. If they roll a 7 before the point number, they lose, and the round ends.

The concept of the point is crucial in craps, as many bets depend on whether the point is made or not. It adds a layer of strategy and excitement to the game, as players anticipate the shooter rolling the point number again.

Pokies

“Pokies” is a term popularly used in Australia and New Zealand to refer to slot machines. This term is a short form of “poker machines,” though it encompasses a wide range of gambling machines, not just those related to poker.

Pokies operate similarly to slot machines found in casinos around the world. They feature various reels, symbols, and paylines, and players win by landing specific combinations of symbols. Pokies can be found in casinos, pubs, and clubs in Australia and New Zealand and are a common form of gambling entertainment in these regions.

Despite the different name, the fundamental gameplay and rules of pokies are essentially the same as those of classic slot machines.

Postage Stamp

In bingo, the term “Postage Stamp” refers to a pattern that players must cover on their bingo cards to win. This pattern resembles a postage stamp, consisting of a square of four numbers located in one of the corners of the bingo card. To win, players must mark off all four numbers in this square, forming the postage stamp pattern.

The Postage Stamp pattern adds variety to bingo games, offering an alternative to the traditional line or full-card (coverall) patterns. It’s one of many pattern variations used in bingo to keep the game engaging and challenging for players. The simplicity and small size of the Postage Stamp pattern often make it a quick and exciting part of bingo games.

Pot Limit

In gambling, particularly in poker, “Pot Limit” is a form of betting structure that restricts the maximum bet or raise a player can make to the current size of the pot. This rule includes the total amount of the bets on the table, including any call the player would need to make before raising.

Here’s how it works:

1. Betting Limit: A player can bet or raise any amount up to the size of the total pot at that moment.
2. Calculating the Maximum Bet: To calculate the maximum amount a player can bet, you add the amount they would need to call before raising to the existing pot. For instance, if the pot is $100 and the player needs to call a $10 bet to raise, the maximum they can raise is $110, making the total bet $120.

Pot Limit games balance the freedom of No Limit games, where players can bet all their chips at any time, and the restriction of Limit games, which have fixed bet sizes. This structure allows for significant betting and strategic play without the risk of players losing their entire stack in a single hand. Pot Limit Omaha is one of the most popular pot limit games.

Press a Bet

“Press a Bet” in gambling is a strategy where a player increases their bet after a win, usually in a game of chance like craps or roulette. This approach is commonly used by players who are on a winning streak and want to capitalize on their good fortune by incrementally increasing their stakes.

In craps, for instance, if a player wins a bet, they might choose to “press the bet” by doubling their wager on the next roll. This means they’re reinvesting their winnings in hopes of winning even more. The same concept can be applied in other gambling games where successive bets are independent, like roulette or blackjack.

Pressing a bet is a way to potentially maximize profits during a lucky streak, but it also increases the risk. If the player loses after pressing their bet, they’ll lose more than if they had maintained a consistent bet size. As such, it’s a strategy that balances potential reward against the increased risk of a larger wager.

Progressive Jackpot

A “Progressive Jackpot” in the context of slot machines is a type of jackpot that increases each time the game is played, but the jackpot is not won. A small percentage of each bet made by players contributes to the jackpot, allowing it to grow progressively larger over time until someone wins it.

Progressive jackpots can be found in individual slot machines or linked across a network of machines, which can be within a single casino or across multiple casinos. The latter type, known as a network progressive jackpot, tends to accumulate larger amounts due to the higher number of players contributing to it.

When a player hits the winning combination required for the jackpot, they win the entire accumulated amount. After the jackpot is won, it resets to a predetermined minimum level and starts growing again.

Progressive jackpots are particularly popular because they offer the chance for a significant win, often reaching life-changing sums of money. However, the odds of winning a progressive jackpot are typically much lower than those of winning smaller prizes.

Punto

In the game of Baccarat, “Punto” refers to the player. Baccarat is typically played with two main bets: Punto (Player) and Banco (Banker). When a player bets on Punto, they are betting that the player’s hand will win the round by having a card value closer to 9 than the banker’s hand.

The game involves two hands dealt from a shoe of multiple decks of cards: one hand for the player (Punto) and one for the banker (Banco). After the hands are dealt, their values are compared, and the one closest to a total value of 9 is declared the winner.

Betting on Punto offers even odds, minus a small house edge. It’s important to note that betting on Punto doesn’t mean the bettor is participating as a player in the game; rather, they are simply betting on the outcome they believe will win – in this case, the player’s hand over the banker’s.

Punto Banco

“Punto Banco” is a popular variation of the card game Baccarat, widely played in casinos. In this game, “Punto” stands for the player and “Banco” for the banker. Punto Banco is a game of chance, with the outcomes being either a player win, a banker win, or a tie.

The game’s rules are quite straightforward:

1. Card Values: Cards 2 through 9 are worth their face value, aces are worth 1 point, and 10s, jacks, queens, and kings have no value (0 points).
2. Objective: The aim is to bet on the hand (Punto or Banco) that will have a total point value closest to 9, which is the best possible score.
3. Gameplay: Each round (also known as a coup) involves dealing two cards each to the player (Punto) and the banker (Banco). Depending on the cards’ total, a third card may be dealt to either or both.
4. Betting: Before the cards are dealt, players bet on whether the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or if both hands will tie.
5. Outcome: The hand with a total closest to 9 wins. If both have the same total, it’s a tie.

Punto Banco is distinct from other Baccarat versions in that it strictly adheres to the rules of play; there are no optional plays or decisions for players. The casino banks the game at all times, and the players are simply betting on the outcome they think is most likely. This makes Punto Banco a game of pure chance, with no skill or strategy involved in the gameplay.

Push

In blackjack, a “Push” refers to a tie between the player and the dealer. This situation occurs when both the player and the dealer end up with the same total value of their cards, and neither goes over 21. When a push happens, the player’s bet is returned, and no money changes hands.

For example, if a player is dealt a total of 20 and the dealer also ends up with a total of 20, the result is a push. The player doesn’t win or lose and gets to keep their original bet. A push can occur with any identical value, not just on a natural blackjack (an ace and a 10-value card).

The concept of a push is important because it preserves the initial bet of the player in a situation where neither party has a winning hand. This rule is one of the aspects that makes blackjack a relatively player-friendly casino game, as it reduces the chances of losing a bet to only those situations where the dealer has a better hand, excluding ties.

Q

Quarter Bet

In roulette, a “Quarter Bet,” also known as a “Corner Bet,” is a type of wager where a player bets on four numbers at once. This bet is placed by putting chips on the corner where the four numbers meet on the roulette table layout.

For instance, if a player wants to bet on the numbers 8, 9, 11, and 12, they would place their chips on the corner shared by these four numbers. If the roulette ball lands on any of these four numbers, the player wins the bet.

The payout for a Quarter Bet is typically 8 to 1. This means that if the bet wins, the player receives their original bet back, plus eight times the bet amount as winnings. This type of bet offers a higher chance of winning compared to a straight bet on a single number, but a lower payout due to the increased odds of winning. Quarter Bets are a popular choice for players looking to balance risk and reward, providing a moderate chance of winning with a reasonably attractive payout.

R

Rail

In the context of a casino, the term “Rail” refers to the area that separates spectators from the gaming area. This area is typically found in games like poker, where there’s a space for players actively participating in the game and a separate area for those watching.

The rail serves several purposes:

1. Boundary: It creates a physical boundary between the playing area and the spectating area, ensuring that only players involved in the game are at the table.
2. Security: It helps maintain the integrity of the game by preventing unauthorized interference from spectators.
3. Viewing Area: The rail provides a designated space for people who want to watch the game without disturbing or influencing the players.

In a broader sense, being “on the rail” can also refer to players who have been eliminated from a game or tournament and are now watching the remaining action. In some cases, friends or coaches of players may be “on the rail,” offering moral support or observing the game for strategic purposes.

Random Number Generator / RNG

A Random Number Generator (RNG) in the context of slot machines is a computer program that constantly generates a sequence of random numbers. These numbers determine the outcome of each spin in a slot game. When you press the spin button, the RNG selects a random number that corresponds to a specific set of symbols on the reels.

This system ensures fairness and unpredictability in the game, as it makes it impossible to predict what will happen on any given spin. RNGs are crucial for maintaining the integrity of casino games, assuring players that the outcomes are entirely due to chance.

Re-Bet

“Re-Bet” in gambling refers to the action of placing the same bet as the previous round. This term is commonly used in games like roulette, blackjack, or craps. When you choose to re-bet, you’re effectively repeating your last wager with the same amount and on the same selection or outcome.

It’s a convenient option for players who want to maintain a consistent betting strategy or for those who feel confident about their previous bet. This feature speeds up gameplay and reduces the effort of placing the same bet manually each round.

Reels

In slot machines, “reels” refer to the vertical sections that spin when the game is played. Traditionally, these were large metal hoops in mechanical slot machines, but in modern video slots, they are represented by columns on the screen. Each reel contains a series of symbols, and the number of reels can vary, with most modern slot games featuring three, five, or even more reels.

The alignment of these symbols across the reels after a spin determines whether you win based on the game’s paylines. The reels are a fundamental aspect of slot games, contributing to their excitement and visual appeal.

Reload Bonus

A Reload Bonus in the context of a casino is a type of promotion offered to existing players. It’s similar to a welcome bonus but is given on subsequent deposits made after the initial one. This bonus often involves a percentage match of the deposit amount, enhancing the player’s bankroll. For example, a 50% reload bonus on a $100 deposit would add an extra $50 to your account.

Casinos use reload bonuses to reward loyal players and encourage continued play. The terms and conditions of these bonuses can vary, including wagering requirements and limits on the bonus amount.

Right Bettor

In the game of craps, a “Right Bettor” is a player who bets on the shooter to win. This term specifically refers to someone who wagers that the shooter will roll a winning number before rolling a losing number. The most common bet for a Right Bettor is the Pass Line bet, which wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll, or successfully rolls the point number again before rolling a 7.

Right Bettors are essentially betting with the shooter and are seen as playing the game in its traditional way. This approach is opposite to that of a “Wrong Bettor,” who bets against the shooter.

Roulette Wheel

The Roulette Wheel is a central component of the game of roulette, a popular casino game. It’s a circular wheel that is divided into numbered compartments, alternately colored red and black, with the numbers typically ranging from 1 to 36. In addition to these, there are one or two green compartments numbered 0 (and, in American roulette, 00).

The wheel is spun by the dealer, and a small ball is released onto it in the opposite direction. As the wheel slows down, the ball comes to rest in one of the numbered compartments, determining the winning number and color. The design of the roulette wheel is crucial for ensuring random outcomes in each spin, making the game fair and unpredictable.