Some gambling terms that have rubbed off into everyday use!

sportsgold 100x100By Sharon Kaplan

August 15, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Gambling sponsored - Money USYou may or may not know that gambling has become one of the biggest and most popular pastimes in the world.

Now with the internet, you can log on and play all of your favourite casino and slot machine games wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

Casino gaming online especially in Canada is taking over and has quickly become something that is very much a part of our day to day life. But how many phrases do you use in your day to day life that have their origin in gambling? Let us read on to find out more!

High roller
Used to refer to someone in a casino who plays and wins big, it has transferred into popular usage to mean someone who plays and wins big in the real life. Used to refer to those that spend large amounts of money playing at the best online slots casinos, or anything else for that matter, it has become a really popular way of describing someone who has lots of zeros after their bank balance and isn’t afraid to splash the cash in public and without much thought!

All bets are off
This phrase used in reference to betting on things like sports. When the outcome is unpredictable or it is unviable to place bets and the bookies get concerned, they reserve the right to take all bets off. This has been transferred into general usage and means that when any given situation is unpredictable or the result is impossible to gauge, it is impossible to place a hypothetical bet or prediction on the outcome any way.

Go for a spin
This phrase once referred to spinning the reels or even having a spin on the roulette wheel. Now it is often used to describe going out, going for a drive or going to do something fun!

Gambling sponsored deckShake, rattle and roll
The name of various songs, as well as meaning that someone is ready to go and do something fun,

Poker face
Not just the name of a Lady Gaga song, “poker face” refers to someone that keeps a straight face and doesn’t let on what they are saying, thinking, or doing.

Its origins come from poker and the art of bluffing and keeping a straight face so as not to give anything away in terms of what sort of hand they may or may not have.

Playing your cards close to your chest
Another phrase that has its roots in poker, this means to keep your fortunes close to yourself. It can also mean if you have a plan or an idea, you will keep it quiet so as not to give anything away.

Why don’t you try some of these in your day to day speech? Don’t wait to hit the online casino before busting out a couple of these phrases!

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2 comments to Some gambling terms that have rubbed off into everyday use!

  • Lonely Taxpayer

    Don’t forget:

    “Jackpot” winner takes all.
    “Double or Nothing” a second chance
    “Snake Eyes” a roll of 2 on the dice
    “Gramma Needs New Shoes” what mother used to say
    +
    “Winner! (Gan-Yon)” what the OLG machine says

  • Brian

    Good list. “I’m All In” is commonly used by people meaning they are fully committed, but comes from No Limit Holdem when you bet the balance of your chips.