Gaming Terms
If you've been a frequent visitor to Las Vegas, for purposes of supporting the local economy, you are probably familiar with the language of the casino. Sometimes, though, you may hear a word or phrase that you haven't heard before. Either way, check out the list below. American Wheel: A roulette wheel that has both a zero and a double zero. European wheels have just a zero (making the odds much better). You are unlikely to find a European wheel in Las Vegas. Bad Beat: In poker, when a player is beat by an inferior starting hand. For example, a player starting with two aces, is beaten by a player who started with lesser cards. Black Chip: A $100 chip. This is universal. $1.00 chips are often different colors at different casinos. I've seen white, blue, gray and a sort of tan color. White and blue seem to be the most common. Brush: The man or woman in a poker room who greets you, and signs you up for a game. This same person will clean empty tables or empty places at a table. Hence: Brush. Cage: The place where the money is kept. Outside of the casino world this would be a cashier. Where you go to exchange your chips for cash. Checks: Casino term for Chips Cocked Dice: Dice that are tilted against the side of the table, or otherwise not laying flat on the felt. Comp: Freebee given by the casino to a player. Even at low limits, you can usually get a comp. Don't be afraid to ask. Cut Card: In poker, the plastic or metal card the dealer places on the bottom of the deck to prevent anyone from seeing the bottom card. Deuce: Not a bus, but, in gaming terms, any 2 in a deck of cards. Drop: The money taken out of a game. especially poker, that goes to the house. If taken in cash, it is dropped down a slot in the table to a box below. If taken in chips, it goes down a tube. First Base: In Blackjack, the first seat to the left of the dealer. Form: Daily Racing Form. The newspaper used by those handicapping thoroughbred horses to gather their information. Greens: $25.00 chips. Also called quarters. High Roller: Someone who spends $2,000,000 in 4 days to get a $30,000 plane ride, 4 nights in a $10,000 a night suite, $2000 worth of food and some free show tickets. Nickel: Gaming term for $5.00 chips. Are you starting to see a pattern here? Nuts: In poker, the best possible hand. The expression is starting to find its way into everyday speech. Pip: The name for one of the spots on a die. Prop or Prop Player: A player, employed by a casino, but using his own money, to play a game. Often used to get a game going. Push: A tie, where neither party wins anything. In poker, this can result in a small loss, as the drop is taken out in any case. Rack: A plastic tray that holds 100 chips in 5 stacks of 20. One does not ask for $100 in $1.00 chips. One asks for a rack of Blue (or White), which are the usual colors of $1.00 chips. A rack of black is $10,000. Rake The amount taken out of a poker pot. Usually limited to 10%. In higher limit cash games, the charge is often by the hour, rather than a cut of the pot. Ring Game: In poker, a cash game, as opposed to a tournament. Not heard much any more. Stiff: Winning player who never tokes the dealer (see below). Tap Out: Go broke. Lose all your money. Tilt: Going "on Tilt" indicates a player who, for emotional reasons, is playing in a stupid manner. Often happens after a Bad Beat. Toke: Possibly not what you thought of first. In gaming terms, it's a tip for the dealer, generally paid after a win. It is customary, when winning, to give a little something to the dealer. At all but the very lowest limits, $1.00 would be the minimum. The dealers base base pay is very low, and they depend on the tokes for their livelihood. At the table games, dealers usually divide up their tips, while in the poker room, the custom is for each dealer to keep his own. Turkey: A player who is rude to the dealer. Vig, Vigorish: The amount taken out of the game by the house. Good Luck!
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