Gambling Lingo Quiz

by Gayle Mitchell

Gather round my gambling friends and test your knowledge about the Gambling Lingo heard often at the tables and sportsbook.

This quiz is designed to increase your gambling vocabulary with the added benefit of impressing your playing buddies.

Some of these expressions have a long history and will surely add some fun to your next casino experience. Here we go:

1. What is a Dime?
   A You are betting $1,000.
   B You are betting $100.
   C You are betting $10.

   A. You are betting $1000. Quite a bit more than B and C, yes?

2. What is the Handle?
   A Using the handle of a slot machine rather than the spin button.
   B Total amount of money bet.
   C Maximum bet at a table that the casino can Handle.

   B. Handle: Total amount of money bet at a table game or slot machine.
   

3. What is the Hold?
   A The vault in a casino.
   B Winnings held by the casino for tax purposes.
   C % of monies played that casinos keep.

   C. Hold: % of monies played that casinos keep. For example, the looser 98% slots hold two dollars while returning 98 dollars to the player.

4. What is the Barber Pole?
   A Referring to the 3 colors at a Red, White & Blue slot machine.
   B More than one denomination in a stack of chips.
   C The board that shows the history of bets at a Roulette table.

   B. Barber Pole: The colorful name used for more than one denomination in a chip stack.

5. What is a Straight Bet in Sportsbook?
   A Bet with even odds.
   B Bet for $100.
   C One wager, not a parlay.

   C. Straight Bet: One wager, not a parlay. Nothing fancy about this bet.

6. What is a Sleeper Bet?
   A Table bet made without strategy—a ‘tossed’ bet.
   B A forgotten table bet.
   C Bet with long odds that pays.

   B. Sleeper: A forgotten table bet originally wagered by the player and/or dealer.

7. Player who is a ‘Chalkeater’ does what?
   A Player who bets at Sportsbook only.
   B Player who bets only favorites.
   C Player who hangs in Sportsbook lounges to gather information from the pros.

   B. Chalkeater: A player who bets only favorites.

8. What is a ‘Circled Game’ in Sportsbook?
   A Game where the favorite will likely win—a sure bet.
   B Game where the betting line has not been established yet.
   C Game where betting limits are lowered.

   C. Circled Game: A game where betting limits are lowered, generally on account of injuries and/or weather.

9. Player who is a ‘George’ does what?
   A George is a generous tipper.
   B George is a lurker who watches a game like blackjack, aka ‘Curious George’.
   C George plays craps only.

   A. George: A generous tipper both to table dealers and to other casino employees.

10. What are the ‘Pips’?
    A Bet that surprises the player with a win.
    B Poker Player Pro who watches for ‘marks’ to sit at the table.
    C Spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds found on cards

    C. Pips: The spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds found on cards. The kings, jacks and queens sure are pretty, but the lone Ace gets the top prize, don’t you agree?

Gayle Mitchell’s website is www.GamblingTeachers.com