riverboat gambler term

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The History of Riverboat Gambling

There are various areas of the world that just seem synonymous with gambling. When people hear the name Las Vegas they picture gambling of a flashy, mass entertainment proportion. Macau ’ s gambling culture brings a real Asian flavour to gambling, with many inevitably comparing it to Vegas. Monte Carlo delivers gambling connotations of wealth and prestige. Obviously, it is not just physical areas where gambling has a strong presence, with the web and mobile space being  dominated by PartyCasino  and other big names in the industry.

Another, yet somewhat less spectacular, sight that can only be associated with gambling is the steam propelled riverboat of certain states in the USA. How did these iconic vessels come to be known for hosting casinos, and what is the current status of riverboat casinos today?

On Water, But Not Land

There is a network of rivers that penetrate inland from the Gulf of Mexico up through the United States,  most famously the Mississippi River . In the 19 th  Century the rivers provided a fantastic way to transport goods from town to town up and down the bodies of water. This in turn became a popular method of passenger transport, with travellers using the boat to socialise. One of the most popular forms of entertainment was  play at online Irish casino , and therefore this pastime became highly popular aboard the vessels. 

There were also, and still are today, laws that prohibited gambling on land. However, the proprietor s  of these boats took advantage of the loophole not extending these laws to establishments on water. Even today,  riverboats are still to be found on the Mississippi  and is still considered one of the best for cruises. Certain rivers acted as state lines, so it was sometimes argued that the gamblers could not be classified as being in one state or another while steaming down a river.

Railroads and War

As mentioned, the riverboats were first and foremost a means of transportation and enjoyed such success due to it being the quickest and most reliable means of travel and delivery of goods. However, when railroads started to spread across the country, they opened up new routes that got people around in a more direct manner. The trains also cut days off travel and therefore started to overtake the riverboats in popularity.

Around the same time the  American Civil War  broke out, a period where much of the fighting was done in the Southern States which defied the laws laid out by the North. This meant that riverboat entertainment almost came to a complete end.

The Riverboats of Today

Unlike the boats of old, which used to set off on long journeys to various destinations, the vessels of now mostly remain docked and very seldom actually take to the open waters. However, one will still be able to undergo the traditional experience that thousands enjoyed before casinos became what we are familiar with today.

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How Riverboat Gambling Became Riverboat Gaming

Kevin has been involved in the gambling industry since the ‘80s. From winning tournaments to casino management, he’s ultimately done it all. Throughout the years, he’s written for various iGaming publications on topics such as the legal landscape of online casinos and strategies behind winning. His favorite game is blackjack.

Cash-strapped states across the South and Midwest in the late eighties and early nineties were desperate for a new source of cash revenue that didn’t raise taxes. Gambling seemed like an easy way out, but it was going to be a hard sell to dubious voters.

But what if they used the allure of the old riverboat gambling myths and the promise of using the riverboat casinos to keep the gambling scourge at arm’s length from impacted communities? Could they sell this new, sanitized riverboat gaming to their constituents?

The Evolution of Gaming on America’s Rivers

We will explore the history of riverboat gaming in America from the early 19th century right into the 21st. We will discuss how it morphed and was delicately managed to become a product that a broad number of people could support a few decades ago, before starting another slow decline, and we take a closer look at some of its few bright remaining stars.

• ⛴ The History of Riverboat Gambling
• ⛴ The Beginnings of Riverboat Gaming
• ⛴ A Few of the Best Riverboat Casinos Remaining
• ⛴ Conclusion

The History of Riverboat Gambling

The first steamboat to make the trip down the Ohio and then the Mississippi was aptly named New Orleans, and she made her inaugural trip in 1811. For the next 100 years, these boats would define commerce along the nation’s mighty rivers. And with commerce comes con men.

The huge sums of money that came from moving much of the fledgling nation’s goods up and down the rivers would prove to be a powerful temptation. While much of the gambling that soon developed on these long, slow trips along the river was legal, many of the men who came to play were on the wrong side of the law .

Not even two decades into the new steamboat trade and there were articles in the Eastern papers about the con men, card sharps, and confidence scams being run on every bumpkin that set foot on a boat. In 1835, the townsfolk in Vicksburg had had enough; they lynched 5 of the “professional gamblers” and burned every Faro table in town, which was stated to be in the dozens.

Much like the frontiersman who preceded them and the Wild West lawmen who would come later, these sharply dressed, supremely confident riverboat gamblers who plied their way on the steamboats of the Mississippi using only their luck and some “skills” they’d picked up along the way were the subject of many salacious headlines and stories in their day. Despite their many obvious flaws, an almost reverence was bestowed on them as archetypical American heroes.

The Beginnings Of Riverboat Gaming

The hay day of the Riverboat gambler started to fade in the 1860s during the Civil War, and then with the advent of railroads, they were soon all but forgotten. But in the early 1990s, states desperate for tax revenue and looking at the success of Las Vegas and Atlantic City decided to retest the waters of riverboat gambling.

This time, it was a way of introducing limited casino operations only along the waterways of the State’s rivers, selling it to their constituents as a diversion and pastime. Thus, the term riverboat gaming was needed . This was to be entertainment and frivolity, none of those card sharps and hustlers from the good ole days. So, a new term was coined.

Iowa led the riverboat race with the Diamond Lady in Bettendorf in April 1991. But riverboat gaming would soon come to Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana , and other states along the Mississippi and other large rivers like the Missouri and Ohio and even the Fox and Red Rivers.

Used mainly as a stalking horse for the eventual opening of land-based casinos in most of these states, many gamblers found the cramped quarters, the limited selection of slots and tables, and most egregious of all, the ability to only embark or disembark while the boat was at the pier, to be a let down from the Las Vegas style experience that they had been promised.

In Iowa, the first land-based casinos made an appearance in just three years. In every State, some accommodations were made , from no longer having to cruise the dangerous rivers to being allowed to move on to barges over the river to being able to move to land as long as you were adjacent to the river. This was a push generally called dock-side gaming, which meant that the actual return of elegant paddle wheelers with blackjack, roulette, and slot machines prowling the Mississippi again lasted less than a decade.

Dock-side gaming was far safer and allowed gamblers to come and go as they pleased , which drove casino revenues much higher. Also, the ability in some states to move either onto barges or land-based casinos adjacent to piers saw some spectacular casinos get built that could finally meet the promise of a Las Vegas experience.

A Few Of The Best Riverboat Casinos Remaining

If you are going to visit one of the grand old ladies of the river, we think that you should start with the actual riverboats that once traveled the Mississippi, and of these, the Amelia Belle is one of the most iconic .

Situated about an hour and a half outside New Orleans, deep in Cajun Country, this beautiful riverboat gambling hall has over 30,000 square feet of gaming space , 800 slots, and a dozen table games. Before she was damaged during Hurricane Katrina, she sailed up the river from the port of New Orleans several times a day in the mid-90s, but she now sits permanently in Bayou Bouef, her expedition days behind her.

Since Louisiana has kept its premise of at least gambling on a boat, even if its moored in a giant pool or cemented to the dock, longer than most other of the original riverboat casino states, it’s no wonder we can find most of the truly breathtaking and best riverboat casinos there.

Another of the must-see gambling boats sits on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana. Chosen for its 20-minute proximity to the Texas border and only two and a half hours drive from Dallas, Shreveport was once a thriving riverboat gambling town and one of the country’s premier riverboat casino locations. But the Indian tribes in Oklahoma, which sit only an hour outside of Dallas to the North, have taken some of their business.

Still, there are several other riverboats operating in Shreveport, but what we think makes the Sam’s Town Property, one of the best riverboat casinos in Louisiana , is that they’ve turned a 30,000-square-foot gaming boat into a destination resort. They have a 500+ room hotel directly adjacent and tied into the property with four restaurants including a really nice steak house and lots of other amenities. The boat itself has over 1000 slots and more than 27 table games.

One of the best riverboat casinos outside of Louisiana is the Grand Victoria in Elgin, Illinois. Built back in 1995, she was spared the dangers of cruising the Fox River in 1999, when Illinois was one of the last states to end their riverboat gaming rules that required the boats to leave their docks. Today, this 30,000-foot boat has room for 1100 slots and almost 30 tables and even sports an onboard buffet and three other restaurants. She is one of the prettier examples of the early 1990s boats that you will see as well, and it is well worth your time to get a good vantage point and take in her lines.

While both the age of riverboat gamblers and its more recent short-lived renaissance of riverboat gaming are now a thing of the past, the allure of cruising the mighty Mississippi while making your living playing cards and shooting dice will probably live on into the distant future. There is something about the water flowing past and the land slipping by out the window that just seems to call for a quick hand of poker or a spin on the roulette wheel.

It’s a call back to a time when the men and women who traveled these waterways were used to risking everything in order to follow their dreams. Get out there and check out some of those boats, wander the decks, play a hand or two of blackjack, and contemplate that river streaming by while you still have a chance to see a dying American breed , the last of the riverboat casinos.

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Riverboat gamble

Posted by ESC on January 15, 2007

In Reply to: Riverboat gamble posted by ESC on January 15, 2007

: : Does anyone know the origin of the phrase 'riverboat gamble'? It was mentioned on Channel 4 news last week and I can't seem to trace it back any further than a political discussion on Reaganomics.

: : Cheers, : : Gareth.

: "It's more than a risk, it's a riverboat gamble," said Leon E. Panetta, a Democratic member of the Iraq Study Group and former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton. : www.ndnblog.org

: "Tom Daschle has made a riverboat gamble, and he stands to lose his political shirt." www.nationalreview.com/ kudlow/kudlow010902.shtml Accessed January 15, 2007.

: I can't find it in my reference books. But I am guessing that it means the odds are stacked against you. And that in the past riverboat gambling was fixed so the house won most of the time.

Or maybe a gamble on a riverboat was risky because: "Rich and poor ships also carried the notorious 'Mississippi river gamblers' or 'river gamblers' (both terms common by the late 1840s), ranging from the professional poker players who fleeced plantation owners of their year's profits to sleight-of-hand artists and con men who preyed on the poorer innocents." From I Hear America Talking: An Illustrated History of American Words and Phrases by Stuart Berg Flexner (Von Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1976). Page 347.

Legends of America

Traveling through american history, destinations & legends since 2003., george devol – old west card sharp.

George Devol

“I don’t know just how thick my old skull is, but I do know that it is pretty thick, or it would have been cracked many years ago, for I have been struck some terrible blows on my head with iron dray-pins, pokers, clubs, stone-coal, and bowlders, which would have split any man’s skull wide open unless it was pretty thick. Doctors have often told me that my skull was nearly an inch in thickness over my forehead.”

– George Devol, Forty Years a Gambler on the Mississippi

George H. Devol was the greatest riverboat gambler in the history of the Mississippi River. He was also a con artist, a fighter, and a master at manipulating men and their money.

Born on August 1, 1829, in Marietta, Ohio, George Devol was the youngest of six children. His father was a ship carpenter and was often away from home. Though Devol had good opportunities for early education, he didn’t like school and spent most of his time playing hooky. The unmanageable boy was also prone to fighting, coming home almost daily with scratches and bruises from his numerous scuffles. When a teacher attempted to discipline him with a hardy whipping, he would turn on them, hitting them with stones that he carried in his pocket. While his father was away building boats much of the time, his mother would be forced to call in a neighbor or passerby to help with his punishment.

Devol ran away at the age of ten, serving as a cabin boy on a riverboat steamer called the Wacousta .  Evidently, Devol did a good job in this capacity as he soon took a better-paying job on a boat called Walnut Hills .

Another boat came soon after – the Cicero , where Devol learned to play “Seven-Up” and the art of bluffing. Seeing the high lifestyle of the professional gamblers on the boat, Devol was determined to follow in their footsteps, and by the time he was in his teens, he could deal seconds, palm cards, and recover the cut.

Fighting would continue to be a natural part of his life, and he soon developed skills with a gun, never hesitating to pull it.

By the time the Mexican War broke out, he was on a boat called the Tiago . Soon, Devol thought it a good idea to go to war and got a job as a barkeeper on the Corvette , bound for the Rio Grande and Mexico.

While aboard the Corvette, he met a man who taught him how to “stock a deck.” Upon reaching the Rio Grande and joining the forces, he quickly utilized his newly learned skills to swindle the other soldiers. But he grew bored with soldiering, and with his pockets filled with his ill-earned gains, he returned to New Orleans, although not for long.

At the tender age of 17, Devol’s pockets were filled with almost three thousand dollars as he headed back home to Ohio, laden with gifts for his family.

While back in Ohio, he mastered the games of Faro and Rondo.  Devol continued to hone his skills and made hundreds of thousands of dollars in the years before the Civil War .  Working the steamboats of the South, he joined in with other card sharps, including Canada Bill Jones , Bill Rollins, Big Alexander, and many others over the years.

Playing Faro

One trick that Devol liked to play was betting against ministers, who inevitably lost their meager wages to the professional gambler. However, Devol would always return their money, along with this advice: “Go and sin no more.” But to the many soldiers, paymasters, farmers, thieves, and businessmen, he was not so kind.

When the war was over, the railroads began to head west, with settlements sprouting up all along the way.  Many of these burgeoning towns, often filled with railroad workers, miners, and cowboys provided all manner of vices, including prostitution , numerous saloons , and the ever-present gambling halls. Supplying perfect opportunities for Devol’s operation, he followed the railroad expansion between Kansas City and Cheyenne in the early 1870s.

According to his account, Devol was working the Gold Room Saloon in Cheyenne when he encountered Wild Bill Hickok .  Devol tells the story that when Hickok placed a $50 bet, he lost.  He then placed another $50 bet, winning the hand that time; however, the dealer handed him back only $25.  When Wild Bill protested, the dealer stated that the house limit was $25. “But you took 50 when I lost,” said Hickok, to which the dealer responded, “Fifty goes when you lose.” The quick-tempered Hickok wasn’t about to accept those terms “sitting down” and quickly whacked the dealer on the head with his walking stick, turned over the table, and stuffed his pockets with the till.

On another occasion, when Devol was working the railroad route, he beat a railroad director out of $1,200.  This one-time winning game resulted in Devol’s profession being quickly curbed when the outraged official prohibited gambling on trains.  Further, the Pinkerton agency was hired to be on the lookout for the most notorious professional gamblers, including Devol.

In 1892, Devol published his autobiography, Forty Years a Gambler on the Mississippi , telling of his life and probably exaggerating much of it. Shortly after he published his book, the great days of railroad and riverboat gambling were over. At his new wife’s insistence, he retired from gambling for good in 1896 and spent the last years of his life selling his book.

It is estimated that Devol won over two million dollars in his forty years of gambling.  However, when he died in Hot Springs , Arkansas , in 1903, he was nearly penniless.

Reno, Nevada Gambling, 1910

©  Kathy Weiser-Alexander / Legends of America , updated November 2021.

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riverboat gambling noun

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What does the noun riverboat gambling mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun riverboat gambling . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

How common is the noun riverboat gambling ?

Where does the noun riverboat gambling come from?

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the noun riverboat gambling is in the 1950s.

OED's earliest evidence for riverboat gambling is from 1953, in the Times (London).

riverboat gambling is formed within English, by compounding.

Etymons: riverboat n. , gambling n.

Nearby entries

• riverbed, n. 1781–
• river birch, n. 1846–
• river black-oak, n. 1886–98
• river-blanched, adj. 1788
• river blindness, n. 1952–
• river boar, n. 1601
• river board, n. 1823–
• riverboat, n. 1565–
• riverboat casino, n. 1958–
• riverboat gambler, n. 1920–
• riverboat gambling, n. 1953–
• river bottom, n. 1662–
• river-boy, n. 1791–
• River Brethren, n. 1849–
• river bull, n. 1639–1709
• river bullhead, n. 1763–
• river bus, n. 1929–
• river capture, n. 1890–
• river carp, n. 1653–
• river cat, n. 1770–
• river channel, n. 1629–

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Meaning & use

Entry history for riverboat gambling, n..

Originally published as part of the entry for riverboat, n.

riverboat gambling, n. was first published in 2009.

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Citation details

Factsheet for riverboat gambling, n., browse entry.

The Meaning Behind The Song: Riverboat Gambler by Carly Simon

Carly Simon, a legendary singer-songwriter, has gifted the world with countless musical gems throughout her career. One such song that captures the attention of audiences is “Riverboat Gambler.” Released in 1974 as part of her iconic album “Hotcakes,” this melodious masterpiece resonated deeply with listeners, both then and now. Delving into the captivating story behind the song, we discover the profound meaning that Carly Simon intended to convey through her poignant lyrics.

Table of Contents

The Story Unveiled

Carly Simon paints a vivid picture with her words, transporting us to the intriguing world of a riverboat gambler. The song delves into the life of a fearless gambler, navigating through highs and lows, risks and rewards, all while channeling an aura of mystery. As the lyrics unfold, we enter the inner workings of the gambler’s mind, capturing the essence of his alluring yet tumultuous existence.

The gambler becomes a metaphor, representing the unpredictable nature of life itself. Through the song, Carly Simon explores the universal theme of taking chances and embracing the uncertainty that accompanies our choices. She skillfully intertwines the world of gambling with the complexities of human relationships, offering listeners a window into the complexities of love and chance.

The Symbolism Exposed

Within “Riverboat Gambler,” Carly Simon artfully weaves layers of symbolism, enriching the song with deeper meaning. The riverboat symbolizes the journey of life, floating down the river of fate, stopping at various ports of opportunity and challenges. It encapsulates the uncertain nature of existence, reminding us that we are all passengers on a vast river, navigating the currents and making choices along the way.

The act of gambling represents the risks we take in our personal lives, the decisions we make with uncertain outcomes. Just as the gambler places bets, we too must wager on our relationships, careers, and dreams. Sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose, but it is through these risks that we grow and learn, never knowing what lies around the bend.

Already know this song's meaning? Watch this video to see 30 popular songs where everyone gets the meaning WRONG!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what inspired carly simon to write “riverboat gambler”.

Carly Simon drew inspiration from her own life experiences and observations of the human condition. She wanted to create a song that captured the essence of living life to the fullest, embracing risks and the unknown.

2. Is “Riverboat Gambler” based on a true story?

While Carly Simon has not explicitly stated that the song is based on a specific event or person, it is likely a product of her imagination. However, the themes and emotions expressed in the song are undoubtedly relatable to many.

3. What message does Carly Simon hope to convey through “Riverboat Gambler”?

Carly Simon aims to inspire listeners to embrace the uncertainties of life and take risks. She encourages us to live boldly, recognizing that each choice carries both potential rewards and consequences.

4. How does “Riverboat Gambler” fit into Carly Simon’s discography?

“Riverboat Gambler” holds a special place within Carly Simon’s catalog of music. While it may not be as widely recognized as some of her other hits, it showcases her artistic versatility and prowess as a songwriter.

5. What makes “Riverboat Gambler” stand out among Carly Simon’s other songs?

“Riverboat Gambler” stands out due to its intricate storytelling and poetic lyrics. Carly Simon effectively combines themes of gambling, love, and life’s uncertainties in a way that captivates and engages listeners.

6. Has “Riverboat Gambler” received any accolades?

While “Riverboat Gambler” did not achieve chart-topping success upon its release, it remains a beloved song among Carly Simon’s dedicated fanbase. Its impact is witnessed through the lasting appreciation and admiration it receives.

7. Can you explain the significance of the riverboat as a symbol in the song?

The riverboat metaphor in “Riverboat Gambler” represents the journey of life. It symbolizes the unpredictability we face and the opportunities we encounter as we navigate through life’s currents and make choices.

8. How does the song’s message resonate with listeners today?

“Riverboat Gambler” continues to resonate with audiences because the themes it explores are timeless. The song’s encouragement to embrace risks, seize opportunities, and accept the uncertainty of life remains relevant in any era.

9. How has the song impacted Carly Simon’s career?

While “Riverboat Gambler” may not be one of Carly Simon’s most commercially successful songs, it showcases her talent as a wordsmith and further solidifies her status as a versatile and captivating songwriter.

10. Can you find any particular lyrical highlights in “Riverboat Gambler”?

One lyrical highlight in “Riverboat Gambler” is the line, “She smiled as if to say, fate has looked my way.” This phrase encapsulates the gambler’s mindset, acknowledging the role of luck and destiny in our lives.

11. Does “Riverboat Gambler” have a deeper meaning beyond gambling?

Yes, “Riverboat Gambler” delves into the complexities of human relationships and the choices we make in matters of the heart. It serves as a metaphorical examination of life’s uncertainties beyond the confines of the gambling world.

12. What emotions does “Riverboat Gambler” evoke in listeners?

“Riverboat Gambler” evokes a range of emotions in listeners, including curiosity, nostalgia, and a sense of reflection. The song’s introspective nature encourages personal contemplation and introspection, connecting with listeners on an emotional level.

And so, “Riverboat Gambler” by Carly Simon remains an enigmatic and captivating composition, using the world of gambling as a powerful metaphor to explore the unpredictable nature of existence. Through her poetic lyrics, Carly Simon invites us to embrace the uncertainties, take chances, and navigate the river of life with fervor and belief in the enigmatic journey that lies ahead.

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• French-English Vocabulary / Vocabulaire Français-Anglais

riverboat gambler

• Thread starter Loupsy
• Start date Dec 17, 2016

Senior Member

• Dec 17, 2016

He had the look of a riverboat gambler... J'ai trouvé "joueur à la petite semaine" dans Linguee. Dans l'Urban dictionary, j'ai trouvé "alludes to one who takes undue risk, wagering on the outcomes of inconsequential events and activities either for money or out of compulsion" J'ai même trouvé un costume! de Riverboat gambler Riverboat Gambler Costume Mais je n'ai toujours aucune idée de comment le traduire.  

A riverboat gambler was a professional gambler who worked on the (paddlewheel) riverboats on the Mississippi river. There was a "typical" look for these men; you can find it on Google if you do a search on "riverboat gambler" and then click on "images". In French??  

• Dec 18, 2016

joueur de poker professionnel sur les bateaux à aubes du Mississipi  

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Riverboat gambler, riverboat gambler lyrics.

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6 Unusual Gambling Terms and Where They Come From

Sometimes when we play games, we use all the terminology without even thinking about how it originated and why we still use the term. For instance, have you ever thought about why it is called a “big blind” in poker? Even some of the games' names and their variations are a bit strange. We cover some of the more unusual terms in this guide and why we use them in casinos and online gambling.

A lot of poker tournaments are full of slightly unusual terms. You may also hear some other players using slang terms that you don’t understand initially. When you take part in a poker tournament you need to know the terms that describe the different forms of poker such as Texas Hold ‘Em, which is the variety played in many Ignition poker tournaments . You also need to know what terms such as “flop” and “river” mean to know what is happening in the game. We explore the terminology along with the basics of the game.

Most of us have heard of a sweepstakes. This is the kind of game where the winner takes all, where each of the teams in a tournament or the horses in a race are allocated to the participants of the sweepstake. If your team or horse wins, you take the whole of the pot.

The term comes from the idea that the winner of the whole pot “sweeps” the prize and takes all of the participants’ entry money.

According to the Oxford Dictionary website, this was even a popular name for ships throughout the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries.

A croupier is crucial for playing several games. When you go into a casino, you are bound to see croupiers facilitating the table games you may want to play. If you play live casino versions of internet gambling or “ netbetting ” as some call it, you may be connected to a live croupier.

A croupier is said to come from the word “croupe” which means the rear of a horse in French. This is because the term was originally used for someone who stood behind a gambler with more money they could use if they needed it during gambling.

It is one of the quirks of the history of casinos that these terms can grow and evolve, and this eventually became the term “croupier” and started referring to those who collected money from the table.

Why are they called blinds? It is pretty obvious when you think about it. In poker, players take turns to be the “blind” which means that they are forced to put up a bet and start raising the stakes before the game even starts. So, the “blind” terminology simply comes from the fact that they are effectively placing a bet before they even get to see what the cards are.

There is both a “big blind” and a “small blind” in the game. The small blind usually puts up half as much as the big blind. This is one of the simpler terms.

Flop, Turn, River

These are the returns used for the stages in the game when the community cards are put on the table during a game of poker. They seem like some strange terms, and we’d love to say that we could fully explain them, but arguably nobody can.

It is thought that the term flop comes from the sound that was made when the first three of the cards were put onto the table. The next card became known as the “turn” and then the final reveal became known as the “river”.

The term is thought to have stemmed from the fact that some cheaters would try to cheat by dealing an extra card to try and change the outcome and cheat the other players. If they were caught, they might be thrown out of the riverboat where the games were often played and end up in the river. If you have ever heard the term “up the river” this could come from the same origin when it comes to gambling.

Hold ’Em

This is another term that can be worked out but may be something you have never considered. There are different varieties of poker, and Hold ’Em, or specifically Texas Hold ’Em, comes from the fact you have to hold your cards.

You cannot change the original cards you get, and the game only evolves when further community cards are drawn. The reason we say “Texas Hold ‘Em” is because this is where the game was first played through the 1920s.

Some of the actual names of the games that are played in casinos have a fascinating background. Blackjack is called ‘21’ in a lot of parts of the world but in the U.S.A., it became known as Blackjack. Why?

Well, many casinos at the time created offers and promotions, just like we have today. Blackjack was the name of one of these promotions, and if you got a “black jack” namely the Jack of Spades or Jack of Clubs, you would win special prizes.

The promotion's name was undeniably catchy, which is perhaps why it stuck and became the name of the whole game.

When you start playing certain games, it can feel confusing when you don’t know what the terms mean and what the dealer is saying. It is also very interesting to dive into the etymology and understand why these terms have such weird and wonderful origins.

Our guide to these six unusual terms may help with both your general knowledge as well as an understanding of the games you play.

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Riverboat Gambler – Rule Sheet

Rule Sheet (PBL) by SPiehler

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