The Ultimate Online Casino Glossary

Casino Bonuses

There are various types of bonuses available to claim at online casinos. This section provides insights into each one, ensuring you make informed choices to optimise your gaming experience.

Bonus Abuse

Bonus abuse pertains to the fraudulent exploitation of casino bonuses against their intended use. A classic instance of this misconduct involves the creation of multiple accounts to repeatedly claim the same bonus.

We strongly advise that you claim bonuses in the spirit in which they are promoted. Online casinos will carefully look for any discrepancies within your play and will withhold any winnings which violate the T&Cs.

Bonus Cash

Bonus cash is a credit applied to your online casino account that can be used to play games for free. However, it cannot be withdrawn as real money before the wagering requirements have been fulfilled.

Cashback Bonus

Cashback bonuses are designed to cushion the blow during a losing streak. These bonuses entitle you to a refund on a percentage of your losses over a defined timeframe. The refund is typically credited in the form of bonus money.

Consider a 10% cashback bonus spread over 7 days. If you lose USD100 within this period, you will receive a USD10 bonus as compensation. Note that you’ll usually need to lose a minimum amount before the cashback can be claimed and that a maximum cap will also be applied.

Deposit Match Bonus

Also known as a reload bonus, this incentive involves matching a portion of your deposit by a specified percentage, such as 50% or 100%, in additional bonus funds. These offers will come with a limit, capping the maximum bonus you can obtain.

A common example would be a 100% deposit match up to USD100. If you deposit USD50, you'll receive an extra USD50 in bonus funds. Note that if your deposit exceeds the USD100 cap, you'll still only receive USD100.

Free Spins

Free spins offer the chance to play online slot games without using your own funds. These spins are typically awarded in batches, commonly ranging from 10 to 100, and are often credited on a specific game chosen by the casino.

Free spins may also be referred to as ‘cash spins’, signifying that anything you win is credited as real money. On the other hand, ‘bonus spins’ imply that wagering requirements will be attached.

No Deposit Bonus

No deposit bonuses are usually offered to new players as a risk-free means to explore the casino. These bonuses serve as enticing sign-up rewards when you create a new account, granting either bonus cash or free spins.

Every no deposit bonus featured at NoDepositFriend.com provides the chance to win real money. However, because some provide a better chance of doing so than others, our no deposit bonus comparison guide will help you pick out the most favourable deals.

No Wagering Bonuses

This bonus is granted without the burden of wagering requirements. With no wager free spins any winnings are credited as real cash, making them immediately available for withdrawal.

While these bonuses are harder to come by, they are considered to be the best online casino deals.

Refer-A-Friend Bonus

If you refer a friend to a specific online casino and they sign up, you may receive a bonus as a token of appreciation. Typically credited as free spins or bonus cash, the bonus is awarded once your friend makes a real money deposit or places a wager.

Sticky Bonus

A 'sticky bonus' is a type of bonus you cannot withdraw, even after you've fulfilled the wagering requirements. To cash out a profit, you'll need to exceed the bonus value through your winnings.

For example, you claim a 100% sticky bonus with a USD100 deposit, giving you a starting balance of USD200. If you go on to win USD300 (taking your balance to USD500) and decide to withdraw, the ‘sticky’ USD100 will be forfeited, meaning only USD400 can be cashed out.

In contrast, non-sticky bonuses can be withdrawn entirely. This makes them much-preferred by casino players.

Super Spins

Super spins, occasionally referred to as ‘mega spins’, represent a unique class of free spins that hold a relatively high value. While regular free spins are often awarded at the lowest denomination (usually USD0.10 or USD0.20), super spins will be worth USD1 or more.

These super spins are relatively scarce and are typically granted in specific circumstances. You usually have to make a substantial deposit or be invited to join the casino’s VIP loyalty program.

Welcome Bonus

Online casinos reward new players with various types of welcome bonuses, also referred to as sign-up bonuses. When you create a new account, you are typically rewarded with either bonus cash, free spins, or in some cases, both of these incentives together.

Slot Game Mechanics

As you start to explore online slots, you'll encounter an array of diverse game mechanics. From classic three-reel setups to the latest Megaways and Cluster Pays releases, each style brings its own unique flavour to the reels. These include:

Autoplay

The majority of online slots incorporate an Autoplay function which automates gameplay, thus eliminating the need for manually clicking the 'spin' button. You can set the number of spins and then just kick back and watch them play out.

This feature can be stopped upon reaching a specified loss limit, ensuring you don't wager more than you’re prepared to lose.

Bonus Rounds

Video slots come loaded with a range of bonus features that can be activated during any spin from the base game. These bonus rounds bring all sorts of special elements into the mix, like in-game free spins, boosted multipliers, expanding reels, and so much more.

Gamble Feature

Certain slots, such as those created by Play'n GO, introduce a 'gamble' feature that activates following a successful spin. This offers you the chance to double your winnings in a secondary game of chance. However, if you make an incorrect guess, all your current winnings will be lost.

Paylines

Paylines determine winning combinations on the reels of a slot game. When you align a sequence of matching symbols along a payline, usually from left to right, you'll receive prizes based on the value of the symbols landed.

Pick and Win

During 'pick and win' bonus rounds, you're presented with various options represented by different symbols or characters. You’ll need to select a specified number of these items, revealing prizes hidden beneath.

Random Number Generator (RNG)

A random number generator (RNG) is a computer algorithm that generates outcomes that are both unpredictable and random in all non-live casino games. They ensure fairness by producing numbers that are impossible to predict over an extensive series of game rounds.

Return-to-Player (RTP)

RTP is a metric that represents the average amount of wagered money that players can anticipate receiving back over extended gameplay. It is expressed as a percentage, generally falling within the range of 90% to 98%.

Keep in mind that this is the theoretical payout, calculated by game developers over a huge amount of simulated spins or game rounds. Just because a slot has a certain RTP rate, this doesn’t mean you're guaranteed that percentage back each time you play.

Scatter Symbols

Scatter symbols have a distinct appearance compared to regular symbols, often showcased by the word ‘BONUS’. When Scatter symbols, typically three or more, appear on the reels of a slot, this will trigger the game’s high-paying bonus features.

Volatility

Volatility, also known as ‘variance’, is a metric that gauges the risk and reward of an online slot game. It essentially describes the interplay between the frequency of wins and the size of the payouts.

For example, you are more likely to hit a winning combination on low volatility slots, although the returns will come at a moderate level. High volatility slots won’t pay out as often but award higher amounts when they do.

Wild Symbols

Wild symbols are a widespread feature of online slot games. In a similar fashion to jokers in a pack of playing cards, they substitute for other symbols (with the exception of Scatters) to assist in the formation of winning combinations.

Win Both Ways

In 'Win Both Ways' slots, not only do winning combinations form from the leftmost reel to the right, they also do so from right to left. This unique feature effectively doubles the opportunity to create winning combinations in a slot, as found with the popular release Starburst.

Blackjack Terminology

Blackjack uses a distinctive vocabulary which is a great tool for comprehending gameplay and decision-making. Here, we look at the different player actions you can make, along with the standard side bets at your disposal.

21+3 (side bet)

The 21+3 side bet combines your first two cards with the dealer's upcard to create a Texas Hold'em poker hand. The payout you receive is determined by the strength of this poker hand, with higher-ranking hands awarding more significant payouts.

American Blackjack

American Blackjack is based on standard rules but allows you to double down after being dealt any initial two-card hand. The dealer also checks for ‘blackjack’ upon receiving a 10-value or Ace as their first card. If a ‘blackjack’ has been dealt, they instantly reveal this to all players.

Blackjack

This hand carries the game’s namesake. If you’re dealt a total of 21 on the first two cards (an Ace and a 10-value card), it’s called a "natural" or "blackjack". You’ll win immediately unless the dealer also has one, in which case the hand ties.

A blackjack pays out one-and-a-half times your bet or 3:2.

Bust

If your hand value exceeds 21, this results in a 'bust' and an automatic loss. Dealers can also go bust because they are forced to draw cards until they reach a value of 17 or higher.

Bust It (side bet)

The 'Bust It' side bet lets you bet on the occurrence of the dealer going bust (exceeding 21). Payouts will increase based on the number of cards in the dealer's hand, ranging from 3/1 up to 2000/1.

Double Down

You can double your initial bet after being dealt the first two cards. However, only one more card is dealt. Typically, this is done upon receiving a total of 9, 10 or 11 after the initial deal.

Hit

After the initial deal, you need to 'hit' in order to receive another card. You can keep hitting until you decide to ‘stand’ or go bust. The aim is to reach as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it.

Insurance

Insurance is an optional side bet that safeguards against the dealer having a 'blackjack' (an Ace plus a 10-value card). The cost amounts to half your original bet and pays out at 2:1.

Perfect Pairs (side bet)

You make an additional bet on your initial two cards having the same value. Payouts vary based on the type of pair dealt: mixed pair (7/1), coloured pair (15/1), or perfect pair (30/1).

Pontoon

Pontoon employs the same scoring as standard Blackjack, but the dealer's cards remain hidden until players complete their actions. The 'five-card trick' is also in play, meaning drawing five cards without exceeding 21 beats all regular hands.

Push

When your hand matches the dealer's total at the game's end, it's a 'push.' This happens with a score of 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or by both hitting a 'blackjack’. Your stake is returned without profit.

Side Bet

A side bet in blackjack is an additional wager that you can make alongside the main blackjack bet. These bets are separate from the primary game and offer the chance for big multiplier wins.

Stand

To keep your current score and decline additional cards, choose 'stand' from the on-screen menu.

Split

When you receive a pair of cards with identical values (regardless of colour or suit), you have the option to split them into two separate hands. Each hand is played independently, following the same rules as a regular game, giving you the chance to double your winnings.