Gambling Idioms

Posted By admin On 29/07/22

Playing games and gambling in casinos has been a pastime of people for many centuries. In its impressive and varied history casinos have grown and expanded with the number and types of different games available growing year upon year. As the casino business has developed so has its language with many interesting terms and jargon being used to describe games, betting types and actions commonly.

If you are a complete novice at gambling, you will probably want to know what are some gambling terms and phrases mean before you head out and play at your local casino!

This article is a work in progress and we aim to cover as many terms as possible.

Gambling Idioms. A long shot: a shot in the dark: a ghost of a chance: ante up: bet the farm: bet your boots: bet your bottom dollar: card sharp: hedge your bets: I bet. Card Playing Idioms and Quizzes. IDIOM CONNECTION. (chips are used in gambling), when the winner or loser of a card game or a bet is decided.

General gambling terms

The following is a quick synopsis, in alphabetical order, of common terms you will find at a given casino. If you want a full list you can visist the gamblingsites glossary which covers terms used by online casinos in addition to land based casinos.

  • Deuce - Gambling slang terms for two (like in the game Deuces Wild). Deposit Methods - The range of payment options players have in order to fund their casino accounts. This will vary from casino to casino and will also change depending on the country of play.
  • Jun 29, 2018 - Gambling Idioms and Sayings! Common gambling idioms and phrases you should know in English with meaning, ESL picture and example sentences.
A
Automatic card shuffling. Some casinos will have this machine at the card tables which is used to shuffle the cards.
This is the initial bet required before a game will start. Typically used in card games such as poker. The term “ante” means “before” in Latin.
B
The banker manages winnings and losses. They will take the lost bets and pay winnings to the winners.
The money you have in chips that you will use for gambling. It can also be the casino’s bankroll which is used to service winners.
Your wager or stake you put at risk in order to stand a chance of winning more than your initial bet.
The minimum and maximum bet allowed for a given game.
A type of reward or incentive offered by casinos for achieving certain goals such as signing up and making a deposit.
the top card of a deck which is removed after a shuffle.
C
This is the place where cash and casino chips are stored.
When the dealer spreads the cards on the table. Its a form of shuffling.
The area where you will exchange chips for cash, typically found near the Cage.
When a player increment bet sizes in order to win back losses. This is a quick way to lose money.
The tray found near the dealer of a given game. It is a bit like a till in a shop.
Plastic styled discs used to represent real money.

Gambling Idioms

Follow someone elses bets.
A run of bad luck.
Free goods and service in return for playing. “Comp husstling” is when a player minimises losses in return for comps. And in many instances, “comp points” are used as a means to reward players.
A machine that continuously shuffles cards during game pay, typically used to discourage card counting.
An employee at the casino in charge of running a table.
A blank plastic card used to separate a deck of cards.
D
An employee at the casino in charge of running a table.
A term used to describe the percentage of a deck before it is re-shuffled.
A way to throw a dice in order to control the outcome.
The losing bets collected at the end of a game.
A tray found next to the dealer containing the discarded cards.
A card dealt face down.
E
A bet with odds of 1:1.
A game with odds of 99% will return $99 for very $100 bet in the long term.
A security camera in a casino.
F
A King, Queen or Jack.
A card dealt face down.
A card dealt face up.
Idioms
When each stake bet is the same.
G
Believing the outcome of a bet is influenced by the previous outcome.
A card dealt face down.
H
A player that places large bets at a given table. Typically Poker and Blackjack.
A player who is on a winning streak.
A table with a lot of winners on it.

Sports Gambling Idioms

A term used to describe the casino.
The built in advantage that the casino has over its players.
The rules of a specific casino.
J
A large prize typically associated to a slot machine or some type of progressive game.
M
A player that places large bets at a given table. Typically Poker and Blackjack.
The highest amount a player can bet.
The lowest amount a player can bet.
Any game where the player can play more than one hand.
Any game that can accommodate more than one playwer.
N
A players profit from his bets.
P
A slang terms used to describe the royal cards.
The amount paid out after a bet.
A designated area for a certain selection of games in a land based casino. This area is typically run by the Pit Boss.
Another way of saying “tie”.
R
A casino located at a horse racing track.
S
A card dispenser used at casinos.
Randomly mixing up cards.
A bet unrelated to the outcome of a given game. For example, the suit of the next card to be drawn.
The bet size.
A slang term used to describe a player who does not tip, as apposed to a “George”.
T
A slang term used to describe a tip to the dealer.
The profit made by a table over a specified period of time.
W
A player that plays high stakes.

If you play your cards right, you could really improve your English with this podcast. But you have to roll the dice and take a chance! Improve your gambling vocabulary and learn some gambling idioms with this episode.

Recommendation from Pilar from France.; a BBC podcast with different accents and topics. The Infinite Monkey Cage

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Vocabulary
To/a gamble
To/a bet, to place a bet, to put a bet on something, to win/lose a bet
To bet on cards, horses, football (to do the pools), dogs, the lottery, scratch cards
The casino: roulette, blackjack, craps, punto banco (baccarat), a game of chance, slot machines/one-armed bandit, croupier/dealer, poker (poker face – no emotion or reaction)
A betting shop,bookmaker/bookie = turf accountant, online
To double down (on a bet)
Double or nothing/quits
To cash in your chips

Idioms
All bets are off – what seemed certain is now unclear, agreements no longer apply
Put your money where your mouth is – take action to support your statements or opinions
Play your cards right – exploit a situation to your best advantage
Hit the jackpot – enjoy great success, get what you want
Bingo! – indicates success or a winning plan
Luck of the draw – random success/failure
Hedge your bets – back two or more possible winners
Go for broke = All or nothing
It’s in the cards – it’s inevitable, it’s going to happen
To have an ace/card up your sleeve – a hidden advantage, keep something back until the time is right
Poker face(d) – without facial expression
Stack the deck – unfairly make it harder/impossible to lose
Put your cards on the table – make your thoughts or ideas perfectly clear
Roll the dice – take a chance on something. “Let’s roll the dice and see what happens.”
No dice – refusing to accept or agree to something.
The stakes are high = There’s a lot to play for – when a lot can be either won or lost
Sweeten the pot – make a risk more appealing
Playing Russian roulette – taking overly dangerous risks
No dice – refusal to agree to do something
In for a penny, in for a pound – why not take an even bigger risk?
Don’t bet on that – don’t be so sure; you could be wrong

Proverbs
“Lucky in cards, unlucky in love.” (That’s what people say. Whether it’s true or not is another matter!)
“Quit while you’re ahead.” (Perhaps what makes the difference between a good gambler and a gambling addict.)

…and now it’s your turn to practise your English.
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On next week’s episode: A personal story during troubled times

Casino Idioms

The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’

“Dub Feral” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Gambling Idioms

“Aces High” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/