L.A. SPEAK

For novice gamblers, a visit to Las Vegas can seem like a trip to another country. One reason is that casinos have their own colloquialisms:

cage n . the cashier.

check n . a gaming chip. “That shooter was so excited he knocked his stack of checks into his drink.”

drop n . the locked box attached to a gaming table that holds cash and markers.

eye n . camera in the ceiling that monitors the action and searches for cheating by players or employees.

handle n . the amount of money passing through the casino. “Gee, it’s slow--the day shift’s handle is down 80,000 from yesterday.”

hold n . casino profit.

hopper fill n . refilling a slot machine. “We need a thousand-dollar hopper fill at machine 203.”

lammer n . a token marked with a dollar value that tells a dealer how many chips a player can get on credit. It stays in front of the player until he receives the chips indicated by the value of the lammer, when he signs the marker for the desired amount.

marker n . an IOU signed at the table by a bettor.

on the rim adv. additional credit extended to the bettor. “According to her lammer, Hazel still has 5,000 on the rim. “

on the wood adv . said of a marker being taken back to the cage to update the account. Origin unclear. “Where’s Bubba’s marker?” “It’s on the wood. “

shorty n . a dealer working less time at a single table than other dealers on his shift. Allows casinos flexibility in scheduling. “Bob can’t take a break now unless he’s the shorty. “

toke v . to tip. “She pulled three straight blackjacks and didn’t toke me once.”