Top 29 Slang For Gambling – Meaning & Usage

From high-stakes poker games to thrilling slot machines, the world of gambling is filled with excitement and its own unique vocabulary. If you’ve ever found yourself feeling a bit lost in the midst of a casino or a friendly card game, fear not! We’ve got you covered with our list of top slang for gambling. Get ready to impress your friends and sound like a seasoned gambler as we break down the lingo of this thrilling world.

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1. Action

In the context of gambling, “action” refers to the act of placing bets or participating in wagering activities. It can also refer to the total amount of money being wagered.

For example, a sports bettor might say, “I’m looking for some action on tonight’s game.”
A poker player might ask, “Is there any action at this table?” to inquire about the level of betting happening.
A casino enthusiast might exclaim, “I love the action on the craps table!”

2. Bankroll

A “bankroll” is the total amount of money a gambler has set aside for betting purposes. It represents the funds available for wagering.

For instance, a high roller might say, “I have a huge bankroll for this trip to Las Vegas.”
A poker player might discuss their bankroll management by stating, “I never risk more than 10% of my bankroll on a single hand.”
A gambler might lament, “I lost my entire bankroll in one night of bad luck.”

3. Bookie

A “bookie” is a person or organization that accepts and pays off bets on gambling events. They often set the odds and take a percentage of the wagers as their profit.

For example, a sports bettor might say, “I placed my bet with a local bookie.”
Someone discussing illegal gambling might mention, “The bookie got busted by the police.”
A person might ask, “Do you know any reliable online bookies for sports betting?”

4. Capper

A “capper” is someone who provides tips or predictions on the outcome of gambling events. They often claim to have inside information or expertise in a particular area.

For instance, a sports bettor might say, “I follow this capper’s picks for NBA games.”
A person discussing horse racing might ask, “Do you know any good cappers for picking winners?”
Someone might warn, “Be careful with cappers, as many of them are just trying to sell their picks.”

5. Chalk

In gambling, “chalk” refers to the team or player that is considered the favorite to win a particular event. It can also be used as a verb to mean placing bets on the favorites.

For example, a sports bettor might say, “I’m betting on the chalk in this game.”
A person discussing odds might mention, “The chalk has a heavy advantage in this matchup.”
A gambler might exclaim, “I went all in on the chalk and came out a winner!”

6. Degenerate

This term refers to someone who has a strong and uncontrollable urge to gamble. It is often used to describe individuals who have developed a gambling addiction.

For example, “He lost everything because he couldn’t stop gambling. He’s a degenerate.”
In a discussion about the dangers of gambling, someone might say, “Beware of becoming a degenerate gambler.”
A person might self-identify as a degenerate gambler and seek support by saying, “I need help. I’m a degenerate and I can’t stop.”

7. Fade

This term is used to describe a betting strategy where a person bets against the majority or popular opinion. The idea behind fading is to take advantage of the public’s tendency to bet on favorites, which can create value for those betting against the crowd.

For instance, “I’m fading the public and betting on the underdog.”
A sports bettor might analyze the betting trends and say, “I think it’s a good idea to fade the public in this game.”
Someone discussing their betting strategy might say, “I’ve had success by consistently fading the public and going against the popular picks.”

8. Grind

In the context of gambling, “grind” refers to the act of placing small bets consistently over a long period of time. It often involves steadily working towards a goal or accumulating winnings through careful and patient betting.

For example, “I’m just grinding it out, making small bets and slowly building my bankroll.”
A poker player might say, “I’m grinding the low-stakes tables to practice and improve my skills.”
Someone discussing their gambling strategy might say, “I prefer the grind approach because it reduces the risk of big losses.”

9. High roller

This term is used to describe a person who consistently bets or gambles large amounts of money. High rollers are often associated with luxurious casinos and VIP treatment.

For instance, “He’s a high roller who always bets big and lives a lavish lifestyle.”
In a discussion about casino culture, someone might say, “High rollers are often comped with free hotel rooms and other perks.”
A person might aspire to be a high roller and say, “I’m working on my bankroll so I can become a high roller at the craps table.”

10. Juice

In gambling, “juice” refers to the commission or vigorish charged by a bookmaker or casino for accepting a bet. It is the fee or cut taken by the house from the winnings of a bet.

For example, “The juice on that bet is 10%, so you’ll need to win more than that to make a profit.”
A sports bettor might discuss the juice and say, “I always look for books with low juice to maximize my winnings.”
Someone explaining the concept of juice might say, “The house always has an edge because of the juice they charge on bets.”

11. Longshot

A longshot refers to a bet or wager that has a very low probability of winning but offers a high potential payout if it does. It is often used to describe an underdog in a sports event or a horse with low odds in a race.

For example, “I placed a bet on the longshot to win the race, even though the odds were against it.”
In a discussion about sports betting, someone might say, “I like taking a chance on longshots because the potential payout is so high.”
A gambler might share their experience, “I once bet on a longshot in a poker tournament and ended up winning the whole thing!”

12. Parlay

To parlay is to use your initial winnings from a bet to place additional bets, with the goal of increasing your overall winnings. It involves reinvesting your profits into new bets, often on different games or events.

For instance, “I started with a small bet and parlayed my winnings into a much larger sum.”
In a conversation about gambling strategies, someone might say, “Parlaying your winnings can be risky, but it can also lead to big rewards.”
A gambler might share their successful parlay, “I hit a winning streak and was able to parlay my initial bet into a huge payday!”

13. Sharp

A sharp is a term used to describe someone who is highly skilled and knowledgeable in sports betting or gambling. It refers to an expert bettor who is able to consistently make accurate predictions and win bets.

For example, “He’s known as a sharp in the sports betting community because he has a track record of picking winners.”
In a discussion about gambling, someone might say, “Sharps are able to identify value bets that the average bettor might overlook.”
A gambler might seek advice from a sharp, “Do you have any tips or strategies for becoming a sharp in sports betting?”

14. Square

A square is a term used to describe an inexperienced or amateur bettor who is not knowledgeable about sports betting or gambling. It refers to someone who is likely to make naive or uninformed bets.

For instance, “He’s a square when it comes to gambling. He doesn’t understand the odds or how to make smart bets.”
In a conversation about betting strategies, someone might say, “Squares often rely on luck rather than analyzing the odds and making informed decisions.”
A gambler might share their experience with squares, “I love betting against squares because they often make predictable and easy-to-exploit mistakes.”

15. Vig

Vig is short for vigorish, which refers to the commission or fee charged by a bookmaker or casino for accepting a bet. It is typically a percentage of the total amount wagered and is how the house makes its profit.

For example, “The vig on this bet is 10%, so if you win, you’ll receive 90% of your total winnings.”
In a discussion about sports betting, someone might say, “It’s important to consider the vig when calculating the potential payout of a bet.”
A gambler might complain about the vig, “The high vig on this game makes it difficult to find value in the betting lines.”

16. Whale

A “whale” is a term used to describe a high roller or a big spender at a casino. It refers to someone who bets large amounts of money and is often treated with special privileges by the casino.

For example, “The whale at the blackjack table just placed a $100,000 bet.”
In a discussion about casino gambling, someone might say, “Whales are the lifeblood of the casino industry.”
A casino host might say, “We’re rolling out the red carpet for our whales tonight.”

17. Cardsharp

A “cardsharp” or “card shark” is a person who is highly skilled at card games, especially in cheating or manipulating the outcome in their favor. It is often used to describe someone who is an expert at poker or other card-based gambling games.

For instance, “Watch out for that guy, he’s a notorious cardsharp.”
In a conversation about poker strategy, someone might say, “To be a successful card shark, you need to master the art of bluffing.”
A player might accuse another of cheating, saying, “I think he’s a cardsharp, he always seems to know what cards I have.”

18. Fish

In gambling slang, a “fish” refers to a novice or inexperienced player who is easy to beat. It is often used to describe someone who is not skilled or knowledgeable about the game.

For example, “I sat down at the poker table and immediately spotted a fish.”
In a discussion about poker, someone might say, “Don’t be a fish, learn the basics before playing with experienced players.”
A player might mockingly say, “Looks like we’ve got a fish on our hands, time to take their money.”

19. Jackpot

A “jackpot” is a term used to describe a large prize or payout in a gambling game, often associated with slot machines or lottery games. It signifies a significant win that is above the usual payouts.

For instance, “I hit the jackpot on that slot machine and won $10,000!”
In a conversation about winning the lottery, someone might say, “Imagine winning the jackpot and becoming an instant millionaire.”
A player might exclaim, “I’ve been playing for hours and finally hit the jackpot!”

20. Pit boss

A “pit boss” is a casino employee who oversees a specific section or “pit” of the casino floor. They are responsible for managing the games and ensuring fair play, as well as resolving any disputes or issues that may arise.

For example, “I asked the pit boss for a comped meal and he approved it.”
In a discussion about casino operations, someone might say, “The pit boss has the final say on any disputes between players and dealers.”
A dealer might report a problem to the pit boss, saying, “I need you to handle this situation, there’s a player causing a disturbance.”

21. Chasing

Chasing is the act of continuing to gamble in an attempt to win back money that has been lost. It often occurs when a gambler is on a losing streak and becomes desperate to turn their luck around.

For example, a person might say, “I lost $500 at the casino last night, so I started chasing my losses and ended up losing even more.”
In a discussion about responsible gambling, someone might advise, “Don’t fall into the trap of chasing your losses. Set a limit and stick to it.”
A gambler might confess, “I know I shouldn’t chase, but sometimes I just can’t help myself.”

22. Underdog

In gambling, the underdog refers to the team or player that is expected to lose. Betting on the underdog can be more lucrative because the odds are usually higher, but it is also riskier.

For instance, in a sports betting context, someone might say, “I put money on the underdog because I think they have a chance to pull off an upset.”
A fan might cheer, “I love rooting for the underdog. It’s always exciting when they come out on top.”
In a discussion about betting strategies, someone might advise, “If you’re looking for big payouts, consider placing bets on the underdogs.”

23. Junket

A junket is a trip or outing organized by a casino for its customers, often as a reward for high rollers or loyal players. It may include transportation, accommodations, and entertainment.

For example, a person might say, “I received an invitation to a weekend junket in Las Vegas, all expenses paid.”
A gambler might reminisce, “I went on a junket to Macau and had the time of my life.”
In a discussion about casino perks, someone might mention, “Junkets are a way for casinos to show appreciation to their VIP customers.”

24. Long shot

A long shot is a bet with very low odds of winning but a high potential payout. It is often used to describe a risky or improbable wager that could result in a big win.

For instance, a person might say, “I placed a long shot bet on the underdog to win the championship, and if they do, I’ll win a lot of money.”
In a discussion about betting strategies, someone might caution, “Long shots can be tempting, but they rarely pay off. It’s important to consider the odds.”
A gambler might boast, “I hit a long shot last night and walked away with a huge pile of cash.”

25. Snake eyes

Snake eyes is a term used in dice games, particularly in craps, to describe rolling two ones. It is considered an unlucky roll and often results in a loss for the player.

For example, a person might say, “I rolled snake eyes three times in a row and lost all my bets.”
In a discussion about craps, someone might explain, “If you roll snake eyes on the come-out roll, it’s an automatic loss.”
A gambler might joke, “I must be cursed with snake eyes because I can never seem to win at craps.”

26. Tilt

When a gambler becomes emotionally overwhelmed and starts making irrational decisions due to a series of losses or bad luck. The term “tilt” is often used in poker and other competitive gambling games.

For example, a player might say, “I went on tilt after losing three hands in a row.”
In a discussion about gambling strategies, someone might advise, “Don’t let yourself go on tilt, it can lead to even bigger losses.”
A professional poker player might share, “I’ve learned to recognize the signs of tilt and take a break when I start feeling frustrated.”

27. Marker

A marker is a form of casino credit that allows a player to borrow money to continue gambling. It is typically used in high-stakes games or by VIP players.

For instance, a gambler might say, “Can you spot me a marker? I’m running low on cash.”
In a discussion about responsible gambling, someone might warn, “Be careful with markers, it’s easy to lose track of how much you owe.”
A casino employee might explain, “To obtain a marker, you need to establish credit with the casino and fill out the necessary paperwork.”

28. Railbird

A railbird is someone who watches a gambling event, such as a poker game or horse race, from the sidelines. The term originated from the practice of spectators standing along the railing or “rail” to get a better view.

For example, a poker player might say, “There were a lot of railbirds watching the final table.”
In a discussion about the atmosphere of a casino, someone might comment, “The railbirds add to the excitement and energy of the room.”
A fan of horse racing might say, “I love being a railbird and cheering on my favorite horse.”

29. Whizgig

A whizgig is a slang term used to describe a gambler who is exceptionally lucky or skilled. It is often used in a positive or admiring context.

For instance, a gambler might say, “That guy is a real whizgig, he always seems to win.”
In a discussion about gambling strategies, someone might ask, “How can I become a whizgig like you?”
A casino employee might comment, “We have a few regular whizgigs who always seem to have a winning streak.”