We are Synonymate, and our mission is to help you enhance your vocabulary by providing creative alternatives to common words and phrases – but this can be in any industry or world. Today, we’re going to be looking at the vocab useful for those among us who are finally ready to jump into the world of the casino.
We know how you feel; you’ve probably heard the stories or watched a few too many James Bond movies and now you want in. We can’t blame you. The casino is such a fun entertainment option for the masses and it gives us all a big chance to let our hair down and enjoy a few thrills – but where on Earth do we start?
Between the lingo and the strategy, it might feel like taking up a part-time job just to get started. But not if you read up on it first.
We’re not talking about learning to decipher ancient casino hieroglyphics – because who can do that? No, we’re just focusing on the handful of terms that will set you up for casino success. We’ve created the ultimate casino dictionary to help you journey through this fresh new world. Between being ‘all-in’ or hitting ‘jackpot,’ here’s everything you need to know to make sure that you don’t fall short at the table.
1. Ante
(An – tee)
This term is used to name the first bet you make before any cards are dealt, specifically relating to poker. Without your ante, the game won’t have even started. That’s why you may have come across the common phrase, “up the ante” – referring to raising your bet or intensifying the stakes in some way.
2. Blackjack
You can’t head on down to the casino without knowing the name of the most famous game there. This is the holy grail of the casino world, and any blackjack game you play will bring in plenty of fun. To succeed in a blackjack game, you need to hit (or as come as close as possible to) the number 21, without going over. This means you’re aiming for a hand of 21 points (Ace + 10-point card). Once you get this, it’s all green from there on out. Easy!
3. Bankroll
Before kicking off your casino night, you need to have a clear picture of what you want your bankroll to be. What is it? Your bankroll is the total amount of money you have set aside for your gambling adventure. It’s just like a budget, and staying within your plans is super important as a newbie or professional.
4. Chips
If you’re keen on the movies, then you’ll already know that those circle-shaped pieces of plastic are indeed the chips. You don’t use money to represent your bet in a casino; you use chips. Make sure to read up on the colors and values of each chip, and understand it all from the get-go so you can use your chips wisely!
5. House Edge
The house edge tells you what chance the house has of winning the game, and every game at the casino will have this stat attached to it – but it will differ from option to option, so look for games with an edge in your favor.
6. Hit
Deep in a game of blackjack and need another card to get that lucky 21 you’re hoping for? Say hit and tap the table! If you have a card that’s looking particularly weak, this is your chance to turn it all around. Don’t hit too much though, or you’ll end up busting yourself.
7. Stand
If you’re playing blackjack and your current hand is strong enough, then you don’t need to do anything more. Just state stand during your gameplay, and you’ll then be best placed to win. If you think your cards are good enough, trust your gut and wait it out. Sometimes, standing is the best place to be!
8. Fold
When you’re playing poker and you’re getting too close to a loss, we’d recommend throwing in the towel. ‘To fold’ means you surrender the pot and step out of the hand, acknowledging that you’ve been beaten.
9. Flush
Found yourself with a poker hand with five cards of the SAME suit? Lucky you; this is a flush! Not quite as good as a full house, a flush is still a pretty good set of cards to have.
10. All-In
Last but by no means – if you’re in this position, then you’ll usually be approaching the end of your night. When you opt to go ‘all-in,’ you’ll be betting every single one of your chips on the hand.
Remember, this is risky and it’s the ultimate gamble – which is one of the reasons it tends to be such a tense moment when you see it in the movies! Make sure you reserve this move for the times when you’re at your most confident of winning. It’s the sort of suave move that Daniel Craig’s James Bond could pull off beautifully… and so can you if you know what you’re doing!