Betting Slang That Makes ZERO Sense If You're Not From Your Country

[TaffyTipster]

Right so I was reading an American betting forum yesterday.

Someone said "I dropped a dime on the dog."

And I'm sitting here thinking what the f**k does that even mean?

Turns out a "dime" is a $1000 bet and "the dog" is the underdog.

Mad.

What betting slang from your country confuses everyone else?

 

[ParlayPrincess_88]

Wait a dime is $1000?? I thought a dime was 10 cents lol

 

[FadeThePublic]

A dime is $1000, a nickel is $500, a dollar is $100. Don't ask me why, that's just how it is.

 

[ParlayPrincess_88]

That makes NO sense! Why is a dollar $100??

 

[SharpEddie47]

It's old school gambling terminology. Also "juice" means the vig/commission, "chalk" means the favorite, "dog" is underdog.

 

[oli_sussex]

British: acca = accumulator, treble = 3-fold, punter = bettor, bookie = sportsbook.

 

[TaffyTipster]

We also say "having a flutter" which just means having a casual bet.

"Fancy a flutter on the rugby?"

 

[Klaus]

In Germany we don't really have slang for betting.

Very straightforward. "Wette" is bet. "Einsatz" is stake.

German efficiency applies to gambling terminology.

 

[ParlayPrincess_88]

Klaus that's so German lol

 

[DublinDegen]

lads in ireland we say youre "on the tear" if youre betting loads... also "sure its only a few quid" which means youre about to lose money...

 

[TaffyTipster]

"Sure its only a few quid" is universal mate.

Famous last words before a loss.

 

[FadeThePublic]

Americans also say "bad beat" for an unlucky loss and "cooler" for when you had no chance.

 

[CoachTony_Bets]

I use "sharp" and "square" all the time but I wonder if that's confusing to non-Americans?

Sharp = smart bettor, square = recreational bettor.

 

[oli_sussex]

We say "mug bet" in UK. Same as square bet.

 

[TaffyTipster]

Yeah a "mug" is someone who bets stupid.

"That's a proper mug bet mate."

 

[ParlayPrincess_88]

Okay so what's a "carpet"? I've never heard that one

 

[TaffyTipster]

Carpet is £3.

Pony is £25.

Monkey is £500.

Score is £20.

Cockle is £10.

 

[ParlayPrincess_88]

WHY?? Where do these come from??

 

[oli_sussex]

Cockney rhyming slang originally. Carpet = three. Pony = 25. No logic, just tradition.

 

[SharpEddie47]

This is fascinating. Americans have nothing like that for dollar amounts.