Decoding Casino Slang: A Glossary For New Players

Walking into a casino can feel like entering a foreign country where everyone speaks a completely different language.


Before sitting down at a high-stakes table, you should familiarize yourself with these common phrases.

Basic Betting and Money Slang

Your 'bankroll' is your gaming budget, and protecting it should be your top priority.


Conversely, a 'grinder' is a player who makes small bets over a long period to slowly build a profit.

A 'marker' is basically an IOU or a line of credit extended by the casino'Action' refers to the total amount of money wagered over a specific period'Vig' or 'Vigorish' is the fee the house takes on certain bets
Game-Specific Terminology

When playing 21, the term 'bust' indicates that a hand has gone over the maximum limit and lost.


For slot machines, a 'loose' machine is one that supposedly pays out more frequently than others.

PhraseUsageExplanationHit MeBlackjackA request for another card from the dealerLet it RideGeneral BettingLeaving your winnings on the table for the next bet

While it seems overwhelming at first, you will pick up this vocabulary very quickly once you start playing.