Gambling Terms and Slang – Meanings Plus How to Use

Learning gambling terms and slang is key to becoming comfortable when you wager. So you want to learn more?

As you venture into the gambling world, you’re likely to encounter many unfamiliar gambling terms. This comprehensive guide aims to demystify some of the most common gambling terms and equip you with the knowledge to confidently strut your stuff, whether at a physical casino or playing online.

Gambling Terms Related to Betting and Odds

• Action: A general gambling term which refers to the amount of money wagered. For instance, having action on a game means you have placed a bet on it.
• Odds: This term refers to the likelihood of a specific outcome happening. For instance, the odds of flipping a coin to heads are 50/50.
• Spread or Point Spread: Mainly used in games like football and basketball, it’s designed to level the playing field between two teams of differing abilities.
• Over/Under: A bet based on the total points scored in a game by both teams combined.
• Even Money: A bet where you stand to win the same amount you wagered. If you bet $10 at even money, you win $10 profit.
• Vigorish (Vig) or Juice: The commission a bookmaker charges for a bet.

Gambling Terms Related to Casino Games

• Croupier: Another term for the dealer, used in games like roulette and baccarat.
• Pit Boss: The casino employee who oversees the dealers and games in the pit.
• Double Down: A term used in Blackjack where a player doubles their original bet in exchange for exactly one more card.
• Split: In Blackjack, a player can split their hand into two separate hands if they are dealt two cards of the same value.
• Hit and Stand: Terms used in Blackjack; to hit means to take another card, while to stand means to hold with your current hand.
• Banker and Player: Terms used in baccarat to denote the two main bets of the game.

Poker-Specific Gambling Terms

• Bluff: When a player makes a bet or raises with a weak hand, hoping to make their opponents fold superior hands.
• Flop, Turn, and River: Terms used in poker to describe the sequence of community cards dealt.
• Pot: The total amount of money players wager during a single hand or game.
• All-in: When a player bets all their remaining chips.

Winning Terms

• Jackpot: The highest possible prize in a gambling game. “Winning the jackpot in a slot machine game is like hitting the lottery.”
• Hot Streak: When a gambler is experiencing a series of wins. Jack was on a hot streak at the blackjack table, winning five hands in a row.
• Clean up: To win a large sum of money. “Sarah cleaned up after a night at the poker table and left the casino with hefty earnings.”
• Up the Ante: Increasing the stakes or the betting amount. “Jim decided to up the ante in poker, making the game more exciting for everyone.”
• Break the Bank: To win all the money available in a gambling game. “Andy was thrilled when he broke the bank at the roulette table.”
• Cash Out: When a player decides to withdraw their winnings. “After a successful round of slots, it’s always wise to cash out while you’re ahead.”

Losing Terms

• Bust: When a player loses everything or when the total in Blackjack exceeds 21. “Despite his best efforts, Mark went bust after several poor bets.”
• Chase your losses: The act of betting more in an attempt to recover what has been lost. “Chasing your losses is never a good strategy; it usually leads to more significant losses.”
• Cold Streak: When a gambler is experiencing a series of losses. “Despite his cold streak, Tim remained hopeful that his luck would turn around.”
• Snake Eyes: In craps, rolling two (each die showing one dot). “Snake eyes are usually a losing roll in most dice games.”

When Things Are Going Well

• On a Roll: Experiencing a series of successes. “Jenny was on a roll with three straight wins at the poker table.”
• Lady Luck: Refers to luck, often in the context of a person’s luck changing for the better. “Lady Luck was clearly on Robert’s side as he continued to win at roulette.”
• Hot Hand: Similar to a hot streak, it refers to a player who’s had a run of good luck. “Don’t bet against John; he’s got a hot hand tonight.”

When Things Are Going Badly

• Tilt: When a player is not thinking clearly due to emotional distress, usually following a big loss. “After losing a big hand, Mike went on tilt and began making reckless bets.”
• Down to the Felt: To be completely out of money. After a long night at the craps table, “Harry was down to the felt.”
• Long Shot: A bet that has a very low probability of winning. “Betting on number 13 in roulette is considered a long shot.”
• Underdog: The participant expected to lose a contest or struggle. “The smaller poker stack always starts as the underdog.”

Understanding gambling terms will enhance your confidence at the gambling table and enrich your overall gambling experience. Always remember gambling should be fun and is best enjoyed when played responsibly.

Remember: the house always has the edge, so gamble responsibly and only with money you can afford to lose.

In closing, while the thrill of gambling often lies in the risk and potential for reward, knowledge of these gambling terms can give you an added advantage and make your casino adventure even more enjoyable. So next time you step