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.


Mastering this slang ensures you know exactly what is happening during fast-paced games.

Slang Related to Bankrolls and Bets

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

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'.

Slang WordContextMeaningEye in the SkySecurityThe network of cameras watching the floorEdgeMathematicsThe casino's statistical advantage

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