Las Vegas Lingo

Every part of the world has its own language and Las Vegas is no exception. Here are some hints to make the local lingo more understandable.

Dark

No show; as in Dark Sundays means no shows on Sunday.

Tip

Same as a toke.

Toke

Same as a gratuity.

Comp

Short for free or complimentary.

RFB comp

The casino is impressed with a credit rating and has ordered that a customer be given free room, food and beverage (RFB) during a hotel stay.

In red

A comped customer's name usually appears "in red" on a maitre d's reservation chart.

High roller

A customer with the reputation of wagering large sums of money in the casino.

Marker

An IOU owed the casino by a gambler allowed by the hotel to play on credit.

Coupons

Redeemable for nearly everything from a free meal to a free pull on a slot machine. (Ask the hotel whether it has a coupon book.)

Shooter

A gambler who is rolling the dice on a craps table.

Shoe

A container from which several decks of cards are dealt on the Baccarat and blackjack tables which prevents the dealer from holding cards.

Stickman

The dealer who moves the dice around on a craps table with a hook-shaped stick.

Drop box

A locked box located on live gambling tables where dealers deposit paper money.

Boxman

The craps table dealer who sits over the drop box and supervises bets and payoffs.

Pit boss

A casino boss who oversees numerous table dealers.

Limit

The least or maximum bet accepted at a gambling table.

Spoon

One device used by slot machine cheaters.

Hit me

A phrase used by blackjack players who want another card from the dealer. Usually used in connection with a hand signal.

Eye in the sky

A one-way mirror surveillance in the casino area. Be sure to smile! Mirrors or dark glass that circles casino ceilings conceals people who are assigned to watch the casino action to prevent cheating by players or dealers. There are also cameras behind the decorative looking glass.