Casino & Poker game expressions
Action
The amount of money wagered (put into action) by a player during an entire
playing session
Bankroll
A player’s total gambling money. Barred Same as Banned. Not allowed to enter the
casino premises permanently.
Betting limits
The minimum and maximum amounts of money that a player can wager on one bet.
Bump To raise. Burn Cards
Remove cards from the top of the deck, not to be dealt, and place them in the
discard tray after a shuffle and cut.
Capping
Referred to capping of bets. Placing extra chips on top of initial bet after the
deal has begun. It is a serious form of cheating by a player.
Card Counting
Used in blackjack game. Recording (in memory) played cards (usually high cards)
so as to establish a conditional probability advantage on the remaining cards
against the dealer.
Card Sharp
A person who is an expert at cards.
Cashier’s Cage
The casino cash desk for cashing in the chips.
Cold
A player on a losing streak, or a slot machine that is not paying out.
Color up
When a player exchanges smaller denomination chips for larger denomination
chips.
Croupier
French word for Dealer, used in the games of baccarat and roulette.
Dime Bet
A $1000 wager.
Dollar Bet
A $100 wager.
Down Card
A face down card.
Edge
An advantage over an opponent.
Eye in the Sky
Slang for video surveillance cameras used by casinos, usually placed on the
ceiling above the gaming area.
Face Cards
The Jack, Queen, and King of any suit of cards.
Flat Top
A slot machine whose jackpot is always a fixed amount, as opposed to a
progressive.
High Roller
A player that wagers big bets.
Hot
A player who is on a winning streak, or a slot machine that is paying out.
House Edge
The casino in-built advantage, usually gained by paying less than the odds.
Load up
To play the maximum number of coins per spin that a slot machine or video game
will allow.
Loose
Referred to slot machines that have a generous payout.
Mechanic
Slang meaning a dealer who cheats.
Odds
Ratio of probabilities.
Overlay
A good bet where the player has an edge over the casino.
Payoff
The return or payback the player receives for his or her wager.
Pit
An area of a casino in which a group of table games are arranged, where the
center area is restricted to dealers and other casino personnel.
Pit Boss
A supervisor who oversees a gaming area. Usually supervises more than one table
at the same time.
Press a Bet
Adding the winnings over the current bet to 'let it ride'.
Probability
A mathematical calculation that establishes the likelihood that an event will
occur.
Push
A tie hand between a dealer and a player.
Rated
Determination by the casino that a player's skill level is above average or on a
professional level. A player's rating may be stored on computer and referred to
the pit.
RFB
Comped with free Room, Food, and Beverages.
Session
A period of play at any gambling game.
Shoe
Device, usually a wooden box, used for holding and dispensing playing cards to
be dealt.
Shuffle Up
Premature shuffling of playing cards by the dealer.
Spooking
Used in blackjack game. The act of standing behind the dealer to peak at the
hole card and then secretly convey the information to a partner player sitting
at the table. An illegal form of cheating.
Tell Play
Observing the dealer's body language and expressions to determine his hand of
cards.
Toke
A tip given to the dealer in the form of money or chips.
Underlay
A bad or unfavorable bet.
Vigorish (Vig.)
The casino edge or commission taken by the house.
VIP
A Very Important Person. Usually a big bettor or a high roller.
Upcard
The face up card of the dealer's initial hand in blackjack.
