Casino Slang Words
Fish: Gambler who loses more than the others. Flop: In some cards games where five cards are dealt such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha, the first three cards are dealt face up. There are called flop. Fourth Street: In seven card stud poker, players have four cards on the second round of betting. Some of the standard colors for casino chips include white for $1, red for $5, green for $25, and black for $100. Checks: Common name casino workers use when referring to chips. Comps: Short for complimentary, comps are things that are given away by the casino to its customers. Depending on the level of play or average amount of wagers placed.
The 20 Most Commonly Used Casino Slang Terms
Do you want to feel like a seasoned gambler? If yes, then you will have to be familiar with casino slang. No driver can reach his destination without knowing traffic signals. Similarly, no one is supposed to beat the odds without knowing terms frequently used in gambling. People who don’t understand casino lingo are likely to be slightly scared for the first time. The reason behind their intimidation is that they don’t want to be embarrassed in front of the public.
Say no more to the state of uncertainty! This write-up is going to let you know about some of the most widely used gambling slang terms. Creating a good understanding of such casino terms gives you full confidence and freedom. You can sit at a table with self-assurance and make successful bets. Eventually, your gambling career can pick up the speed that you always wanted to achieve.
Face Cards
Face cards are Kings, Jacks, and Queens in a deck of playing cards. These are also recognized as picture cards or court cards in some regions. All of these cards are valued at 10.
Cashback
The amount of bonus money or cash paid back to players after they lose a bet. This is a fixed percentage of the total amount that a gambler lost at a casino. Casinos offer cashback as a token of appreciation.
Betting Limits
Casino Slang
The highest and smallest betting limits are by a casino are called betting limits. It can also be defined as the maximum or minimum amount that a gambler is allowed to wager on a specific game or gambling event.
Balance
It’s the amount of cash left in your account after placing a bet. Gamblers can rely on their balance for stakes and playing different games.
Classic Slots
Video slots that consist of 3 reels are referred to as classic slots. These are also called Classic Vegas Slots and Fruit Machines in many regions.
Free Spins
Spins that you don’t have to pay for are known as free spins. Casinos offer free spins as part of their promotional strategy. Generally, you can expect to receive 20 free spins at the time of registration.
Bankroll
Bankroll is the amount of cash that a gambler or gambling website has for wagering activities. In simple words, money set aside for gambling is called bankroll.
Gambling Slang Words
Card Washing
Thinking about water, detergent, and cards? It's nothing like that. In gambling, card washing happens when the dealer puts cards face down and mix up before shuffling. Modern casinos have machines to make this happen in no time.
Action
Action is one of the commonly used gambling terms. It means to act when it’s your turn while playing games such as slots, blackjack, and roulette. This term is often used during casino play.
Deposit Bonus
Unlike no-deposit casinos, you have to make a deposit to receive a bonus. This is called a deposit bonus. A gambler should register with a $2 deposit casino as it involves depositing a small amount and brings interesting deposit bonus offers. If it happens that a person loses, it won’t be a huge amount.
Card Sharp
A player who has become an expert in card games is named Card Sharp. He has in-depth knowledge and skill to dominate a card game.
Double or Nothing
Double or nothing is a betting type that brings double money in case of winning and nothing in case of loss.
Comps
Çomps are the reward points that you get over time after being a part of the casino reward club. Players can earn these points by playing games and convert into real rewards. The reward can be a free dinner or discount on a casino vacation.
High Roller
Players who possess a large bankroll are known as high rollers. They risk more money while placing bets and get bigger rewards in return. Such players receive great privilege and dedicated support at casinos.
Pit Boss
A nice well-dressed casino staff member standing next to the table is known as Pit boss. His job is to observe the game and ensure fair play. If you play blackjack, then you must see him standing near dealers.
Cage
Cage is the place where casino management keeps all the money. This is a secure area where all your earned money is kept in form of chips. Later on, chips are converted into cash for winners.
Fish
Experienced gamblers will call you ‘fish’ if you are new to the world of gambling. So don’t get confused when you hear someone calling you with that term.
Whales
We all know that whale is a big fish. In gambling, the whale is used to represent a gambler who is happy to lose millions of dollars without getting worried about anything. It's unusual to see a whale sitting at tables of regular casinos.
Overlay
The overlay is used to describe a gambling situation favorable to the gambler. For instance, you are expected to win more than you bet.
Grind
It’s a playing technique that aims at steady small gains. A grinder is a patient and calm gambler who loves winning small bets over a longer period.
Conclusion
Knowing a slang for gambling is more important than playing without knowledge. One of the core reasons behind frequent losses is the unfamiliarity with casino terms. The language used at casinos is often unclear to newcomers. Many of them start gambling without knowing much about the casino environment. This is not a healthy practice for gamblers who want to be successful in the long run. Creating an understanding of casino slang doesn't take too much time. Therefore, it is recommended to know what you hear at casinos.
Author's Bio
Susan Wallace takes interest in gambling and casinos. She has written several guides to assist new players. Her write-ups have helped many people in becoming seasoned gamblers.
Print this ArticlePlaying 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 found in the industry. In modern times the industry has enjoyed continued growth, and now you don’t even have to enter a casino to play the games with a wealth of them available to play online, either by yourself, or interacting with other players from across the globe.
If you are an avid casino game player you may be familiar with some of the terms that are used, whether specific to a particular type of game such as poker or blackjack, or more general terms used in the gambling world. However those who are new to the thrill of the casino may not be so familiar, and it is easy to get confused when these terms are used, so it’s good to familiarise yourself with them to make sure you stay on top of your game! Below we have listed some of the most common slang terms used in the casino which you can study, memorise, or print out and keep with you to use as a handy reference guide when playing. You can also visit onlinecasinobluebook.com for more casino explanation on terms and slang! Once you have studied up on your casino slang terms why not take the Lingo of the casino quiz with Ladbrokes?!
Action – this is a casino term used to describe the placing of bets by player(s) in a game. It is most commonly used in card games and is easily remembered as the betting is the ‘action’ that the players have to make to be in the game. Alternatively a dealer in a poker card game can use the term to refer to which player is now in a position to bet.
Ante: This is a very useful phrase to know when it comes to gambling! The Ante is a bet that a player must make before other players can bet, so there is always money in the pot. It is used to force action by other players and keeps the game moving. Without the anti no one would be forced to bet so hands could be played where no money is won or lost which is not the point of the game!
Bankroll: It’s a good idea before you enter a casino or start playing online to have a bankroll. This refers to the entire sum of cash that you are willing to gamble with. A top tip is to never go over this to ensure you are always gambling within your means! If you don’t do this you might be referred to as a Pigeon, Plunker or Steamer – a person who continues to chase his or her losses.
Betting Limits -a fairly self explanatory term used to describe the specific limit that a player can bet with. Slotting machines often have betting limits i.e. 10/20 cents or $1 a go, and the ‘max bet’ is the multiple of this that you can bet up to, for example there may be a betting limit of $1 and the max bet is 5 x this, so $5.
A Blind bet -another easy term to remember that you will often hear in poker games where a player bets without knowing what card will come up next.
The Cage -this is where the casino keeps all its money!
ColourUp – this refers to chips you get at a casino to use in a variety of games. If you colour up, you are asking the dealer to exchange smaller value chips for larger ones. Often people do this at the end of their games to make it easier to exchange their chips for cash!
Eye-in-the-sky – these are the surveillance cameras that keep an eye on everything going on in the casino. Although casinos have many staff members and security guards who watch over players ensuring that they spot anyone who may be cheating, or behaving inappropriately, surveillance cameras are used as an extra measure to keep everything safe and secure.
Fish – if you are new to gambling you may well be referred to as a ‘fish’. It is a cheeky (but affectionate) way of describing someone who is new to the gambling world.
Hit me – used in blackjack to indicate to the dealer that the player wants another card
Junket – if you hear this term being used then keep your eyes peeled! A junket refers to a group of big, experienced, high rolling players who have been flown in especially on a charted plane at the casinos expense.
Overlay – if you hear this word you are in for a treat! Overlay means that the gambling situation is in favour of the gambler i.e you are more than likely to receive more money than you bet, if you win.
Shill – this is an interesting one. Essentially a shill is a filler player. They are paid by the house to sit in on games to make up numbers. They are commonly used in poker games. This is also called a ‘prop’ or ‘proposition player’.
Toke -A tip for the dealer. This is customary in larger casinos, and is expected if you have done pretty well while gambling at that particular table. Often dealers make the majority of their wages this way, so it is important to remember that if you leave with a good return on your investment. You might also hear someone being referred to as a George which means they tip well, or a Stiff for someone who does not!
Whales – a fantastic term used to describe players that are so rich they can happily lose millions in the casino seemingly without a care in the world. You rarely see a Whale around a regular casino playing table, and, as with actual Whales they are a very rare breed with only around 250 in the world!
Turkey – another term that you certainly don’t want to be called in the casino, or anywhere for that matter! A Turkey refers to someone who acts unpleasantly towards the dealer, usually because they are losing or think they know the rules better!
86’d (eighty-sixed) – Let’s hope you don’t hear this term being used too often! To be 86’d means getting thrown out of the casino for underhand or undesirable behaviour!
Of course these are just some of the most commonly used slang terms you may hear while in a casino, or playing online. While there are many others, hopefully by understanding these you will have a better idea of how to play the most popular games and what to look out for to make your gambling experience an even more enjoyable and successful one.