Banko

Banko is a term with multiple meanings across languages and contexts. The most widely referenced use in English-language gambling circles refers to a card game popular in the Philippines and among Filipino communities, often spelled banco or banko. In this game, players place bets on various possible outcomes of a hand that is opposed by the house, which serves as the bank. Variants and local rules vary by venue, influencing betting options and dealing methods. The game is related in spirit to other banker-versus-player wagering games, though its exact mechanics differ by region.

Beyond gambling, banko can also appear as a proper name in some language communities, used as a surname or as a geographic or household toponym. The spelling banco is more common in many European languages and often denotes the word for bank in compound forms or place names. Etymologically, banko is likely a regional variant or loanword related to banco in other languages, with origins that are language- and region-specific.

In contemporary usage, banko may show up in cultural references, media, or business names, and as a transliteration of local terms for desks, counters, or benches depending on the language. Because meanings are highly context-dependent, the sense of banko can vary significantly between communities and usage domains.