Gambling Idioms
Posted By admin On 29/07/22Playing 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.
Gambling Idioms
Sports Gambling Idioms
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/