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.


Learning this terminology will not only make you sound like a pro but also help you avoid costly misunderstandings.

Slang Related to Bankrolls and Bets

A 'bankroll' is the total amount of money you have specifically set aside for your gambling session.


A 'high roller' or 'whale' is a VIP gambler who wagers tens of thousands of dollars per hand.

'Toke' is the casino slang for a tip given to the dealer'Color up' means exchanging your small denomination chips for larger ones before leaving'Comp' refers to free gifts, rooms, or meals given by the casino to reward your play
Slang Used at the Tables and Slots

In Blackjack, 'busting' means your card total has exceeded 21, resulting in an automatic loss.


At the craps table, rolling a seven after the point is established is known as 'sevening out'.

TermGameDefinitionShoeBlackjack/BaccaratThe box that holds the decks of cardsPit BossAll Table GamesThe supervisor monitoring a group of tables

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