All Gambling Terms Dictionary

 S 
S [Poker]
Shorthand, particularly in E-mail and Internet postings, for suited. For example, specifying a hold 'em hand as KQS means king-queen suited.
  
S17 [Blackjack]
An abbreviation for the casino rule which requires the dealer to stand on all soft 17s.
  
S & M [Poker]
Sklansky & Malmuth. Generally refers to the ideas and algorithms published by these two authors. When used in a 7-card stud context, often refers to '7 Card Stud For Advanced Players', and when used in a Hold'em context, often refers to 'Texas Hold 'em For Advanced Players'.
  
S / I Cards [Bingo]
Score/Instruction cards. The score cards defined the payouts for 3,4, and 5-in-line/section, and the instruction cards gave minimal info on what the features did. Many games also have a third/fourth card which explained unique features of the game, or indicated the OK game/red letter game guaranteed minimums.
  
S&R [Motor Sports]
Safety and Rescue. Race staff operating ambulances, crash trucks, wreckers and flat tow vehicles.
  
S-Curve [Luge]
Two connected curves that alternate directions.
  
S.a.E. [Motor Sports]
Society of Automotive Engineers. A group known for publishing research papers and defining various standards of measurement.
  
Sa [Skiing]
Ski Australia, which was once known as the Australian Ski Federation.
  
Sabaki [Martial Arts]
Dodging
  
Sabom [Martial Arts]
Teacher" or "instructor.
  
Sabot [Baccarat]
The French term for the shoe.
  
Sabre [Fencing]
A fencing weapon with a flat blade and knuckle guard, used with cutting or thrusting actions; a military sword popular in the 18th to 20th centuries; any cutting sword used by cavalry.
  
Sac [Baseball]
Sacrifice Bunts
  
Sack [Football]
A tackle of the quarterback behind his line of scrimmage.
  
Sacrifice [Baseball]
A statistic that is recorded if a player intentionally (or sometimes unintentionally) hits the ball for the sole purpose of moving a base runner to the next base, fully expecting be out.
  
Sacrifice Bunt [Baseball]
A bunt intended to advance runners at the expense of the batter being put out. The hitless plate appearance is not counted towards a player's batting average.
  
Sacrifice Fly [Baseball]
Fly ball out that scores a runner from third base.
  
Sacrifice Fly (Sf) [Baseball]
When a fly ball to the outfield advances a base runner to the next base, but results in an out for the batter.
  
Sacrifice Hit (Sh) [Baseball]
When a sacrifice results in the current base runner advancing a base and an out for the batter.
  
Sadak, Saghdach [Archery]
The equipment of an archer, Russia.
  
Saddle [Bingo]
This is the unit which sits on top of the barrier and contains the mechanisms used in the game - typically the coin mechanisms, valid & credit displays, and claim buttons. Most pod tops have the equipment for 4-6 playing positions. Also Pod Top.
  
Saddle Cloth [Greyhound Racing]
The device that displays the horse's barrier position within a race, and in some cases, the colour of the saddlecloth refers to the race number.
  
Saddle Cloth (Towel) [Horse Racing]
A cloth under the saddle on which program numbers are displayed.
  
Saddle Pad [Horse Racing]
A piece of felt, sheepskin, or more usually, foam rubber, used as a base for the saddle.
  
Saddlecloth [Horse Racing]
The device which displays the horse's barrier position within a race, and in some cases, the colour of the saddlecloth refers to the race number.
  
Safe [Baseball]
Declaration by the umpire that a runner is entitled to the bases for which he was trying.
  
Safe Driver Plan [Motor Sports]
Discounts for a good driving record.
  
Safe Hit [Baseball]
Noun, base hit.
  
Safe Jack [Blackjack]
A high-tech version of blackjack. Card values and bet sizes are read by sensors built into the table.
  
Safe Overhead Clearance [Sailing]
A distance that needs to be kept between the mast and overhead electrical lines to prevent electrical arcing.
  
Safety [Football]
When a ball carrier is tackled in his own end zone after bringing the ball there under his own power; the defense earns 2 points and receives a free kick from the offense¹s own 20-yard line.
  
Safety Cup [Equestrian Sports]
A cup used on the back rail of a spread fence that releases to drop the rail if struck by the horse.
  
Safety Harness [Sailing]
A device worn around a person's body that can be attached to jack lines to help prevent a person from becoming separated from the boat.
  
Safety Pin [Sailing]
(1) Any pin that is used to prevent a fitting from falling open. (2) A pin used to keep the anchor attached to its anchor roller when not in use.
  
Sag [Basketball]
A defensive tactic in which a player drops off his man to help double-team a player in the pivot.
  
Saghdak [Archery]
A Western Tibetan quiver.
  
Sai [Martial Arts]
A pronged truncheon about fifteen to twenty inches long, used as a defensive instrument against various weapons such as the sword. It was developed from an Okinawan farming tool.
  
Saifa [Martial Arts]
(Japanese) The name of an advanced Karate Kata of the Shorei Karate Style from Okinawa. The name translated means "Big Wave".
  
Sail [Sailing]
(1) A large piece of fabric designed to be hoisted on the spars of a sailboat in such a manner as to catch the wind and propel the boat. (2) The act of using the wind to propel a sailboat.
  
Sail for [Poker]
Lose. "How much did he sail for?"
  
Sail Shape [Sailing]
The shape of a sail, with regard to its efficiency. In high winds a sail would probably be flatter, in low winds rounder. Other circumstances can cause a sail to twist. Controls such as the cunningham, boom vang, outhaul, traveler, halyards, leech line, sheets, and the bend of the mainmast all can affect sail shape. Also see sail trim.
  
Sail Track [Sailing]
A slot into which the bolt rope or lugs in the luff of the sail are inserted to attach the sail. Most masts and roller reefing jibs use sail tracks. Systems with 2 tracks can allow for rapid sail changes.
  
Sail Trim [Sailing]
The position of the sails relative to the wind and desired point of sail. Sails that are not trimmed properly may not operate efficiently. Visible signs of trim are luffing, excessive heeling, and the flow of air past telltales. Also see sail shape.
  
Sailboat [Sailing]
A boat which uses the wind as its primary means of propulsion.
  
Sailboats [Poker]
Two or more 4s. (That's what they look like.)
  
Sailcloth [Sailing]
A fabric, usually synthetic, used to make sails.
  
Sailing Directions [Sailing]
Books that describe features of particular sailing areas, such as hazards, anchorages, etc.
  
Sakotsu [Martial Arts]
Clavicle, point of attack
  
Sakotsu Uchi [Martial Arts]
Hit/attack on the clavicle
  
Salary Cap [Basketball]
Common term for Maximum Team Salary, the maximum amount each team may pay in salaries during an NBA season, as per teams of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  
Salchow [Figure Skating]
Invented by Ulrich Salchow, an edge jump on which skater takes off from the back inside edge of one foot and lands on the back outside edge of the other.
  
Saliva Test [Horse Racing]
Laboratory test to determine if a horse has been drugged or overdosed with permitted medication.
  
Salle [Fencing]
A fencing hall or club.
  
Salmon [Poker]
7 (the card, or the lowball hand).
  
Salt Away [Poker]
During a playing session, surreptitiously remove chips from play. This is not strictly cheating, just not fair to the other players who do not have an opportunity to win as much as they might otherwise. It is not permitted in public card rooms to remove chips from the table without cashing out. Players rat hole chips because they don't want to chance losing them back, or because they want to hide their winnings from someone who has staked them or someone they owe money to.
  
Saltiness [Poker]
Poor luck; the condition of being salty.
  
Salto [Gymnastics]
An aerial flip or somersault in which the feet come up over the head and the body rotates around the waist.
  
Salty [Poker]
Having poor luck; on a losing streak. "How ya doin'?" "Been running salty lately; can't seem to make a hand when it counts."
  
Salute [Fencing]
With the weapon, a customary acknowledgement of one's opponent and referee at the start and end of the bout.
  
Sam [Martial Arts]
The traditional uniform of kung fu.
  
Samalog [Speed Skating]
A scoring system in which a skater's times for races at various distances are converted into points to determine an overall champion. Essentially, all times are converted to the equivalents for 500 meters. The number of points awarded for the 500-meter event is the same as the time in seconds; the number of points for the 1000-meter event is the time in seconds divided by two, and so on. Also sammelagt.
  
Sambo [Martial Arts]
Modern Russian Grappling Art
  
Same Bet Press Method [Craps]
Using the same Bet after every win. Used for place bets. When you win your first bet you say same bet to the dealer. On your next win you would tell the dealer to press it. Keep repeating the process.
  
Sample Void (Sv) [Lotto]
A sample ticket, issued by the Lottery operators so players and retails can get used to a new ticket.
  
Sampson Post [Sailing]
A strong post used for to attach lines for towing or mooring.
  
Samurai [Martial Arts]
The swordsmen of feudal Japan who were impeccably at a wide variety of martial arts practices, particularly the sword, and served and lord and fief. Masterless samurai were known as "ronin."
  
San Jose to Gilroy [Poker]
Three 10s, so called because it used to be 30 miles from San Jose to Gilroy (no longer), and 30 miles is another term for three 10s. Sometimes shortened to just Gilroy. Also, from here to Gilroy.
  
San Kung Nu [Archery]
An Indo-Persian multi-bowed crossbow.
  
Sanbon [Martial Arts]
In three parts, three steps
  
Sanbon Kumite [Martial Arts]
Three steps sparring
  
Sanbon Zuki [Martial Arts]
Three consecutive punches (the first one JODAN and the two others CHUDAN)
  
Sanchin [Martial Arts]
Name of a Karate Kata
  
Sanchin Dachi [Martial Arts]
Three-battle stance
  
Sanctioning Body [Motor Sports]
An organization that sets and enforces the rules for a race or racing class or series. (The act of doing so is called a "sanction".)
  
Sanctioning Organization [Boxing]
One of the organizations that sponsor belts for championship fights. There are three main, or so-called "legitimate" ones: The WBC (World Boxing Council), the IBF (the International Boxing Federation), and the WBA (World Boxing Association). There are a host of smaller organizations that have relatively little meaning and add to the ³alphabet soup² boxing has become, with names like the WBO or the ICBF.
  
Sand [Poker]
Use sandpaper on the sides of some cards so that their ranks can be determined by feel, or so that they can be easily located within a full deck; a method of shaving the cards.
  
Sand Bar [Sailing]
An area in shallow water where wave or current action has created a small, long hill of sand. Since they are created by water movement, they can move and may not be shown on a chart.
  
Sand Crack [Horse Racing]
(See QUARTER CRACK.)
  
Sand Cracks [Horse Racing]
These are cracks in the toe of a dry and brittle hoof. They may run in the direction of the coronet an inch or two.
  
Sand Iron [Golf]
Also called a sand wedge. A heavy, lofted club that was used for playing from bunkers. No longer in use.
  
Sand Trap [Golf]
A hazard containing sand; a bunker.
  
Sand Wedge [Golf]
An iron with a heavy flange on the bottom that is used primarily to get out of sand traps.
  
Sandbag [Motor Sports]
To hold back on a car's performance, during trial runs and qualifying, to mislead other drivers as to its potential.
  
Sandbagger [Bowling]
A bowler who deliberately keeps his average low during the first part of the season, to take advantage of an artificially high handicap later on.
  
Sandblast [Golf]
Finish applied to the faces and cavities of certain irons. Metal wood heads may also have sandblasted finishes. Characterized by a light gray color, these finishes are applied through the use of an air compressor and special sandblast gun. The common media used for sandblasting is aluminum oxide sand. “Sandblast” is also the term given to the process of applying a sandblast finish.
  
Sandblasting Cabinet [Golf]
Box-like cabinet with a “window” and “arm-holes” used for sandblasting. The purpose of the cabinet is to eliminate flying sand and to allow the club to be easily held and manipulated during the sandblasting process.
  
Sanding [Bobsledding]
A very important step in preparing a sled for a run, which can take as much as three hours. On a four-man bobsled, each member of the crew is responsible for sanding one of the runners.
  
Sanding Belts [Golf]
Long, thin belts or various grits (#120, 240, etc.) used in conjunction with 1” X 42” or 1” X 30” belt sanders.
  
Sanding Cone (Drum) [Golf]
Attachment for a motor or specializes sanding station. Cone or cylindrically (drum) shaped and covered with sandpaper held in place by two-way tape; used to remove finishes from wood heads.
  
Sandpaper [Poker]
Cards marked on their sides by sanding.
  
Sandwich [Poker]
To raise before, and after, a caller who gets caught in the middle.
  
Sandwich Game [Bowling]
Same as Dutch 200.
  
Sandwich Rubber [Table Tennis]
A rubber sheet attached to the paddle with an underlying layer of sponge.
  
Sandy [Golf]
Making par after being in a bunker.
  
Sangdan [Martial Arts]
"Upper" or "upper level." A directional term used in Korean martial arts.
  
Sankukai [Martial Arts]
A style of karate based on a combination of other systems, with an emphasis on escaping techniques and aikido-like defenses.
  
Sanshou (Chinese) [Martial Arts]
Also called SANDA. During the Chinese cultural revolution the practice of combat sports in China was forbidden. It is only around 1979 that combat sports competitions appeared again. One of these new methods was SANDA, a kind of "Chinese Full Contact", a combination of blows with fists and feet but also seizures and projections.
  
Santa Barbara [Poker]
In hold 'em, A-K as one's first two cards. Derives from a destructive oil spill off the Santa Barbara coast, the name arising from the more well-known name for the hand, big slick.
  
Sappo [Martial Arts]
A method of attacking vital points of the body in order to cause a coma or death.
  
Sas [Motor Sports]
Southern All Star Racing Series Super Late Model racing.
  
Satellite [Poker]
A small-stakes tournament whose winner obtains cheap entry into a bigger tournament.
  
Satellite Navigation [Sailing]
Navigation using information transmitted from satellites. See Global Positioning System.
  
Satellite Tournament [Poker]
A special tournament whose prize is usually a buy-in for a larger tournament. One-table satellites usually have just one winner; sometimes second place is awarded a free entry to another tournament. In larger satellite tournaments, the winner may get entry to the larger tournament, round-trip airfare plus accommodations (if the satellite takes place in a city other than that of the larger tournament), plus some percentage of the excess cash accumulated in buy-ins and re-buys. Second, third, and sometimes other places also can win a percentage of this cash. A satellite tournament with a large number of entrants, awarding entry or entries to major tournaments, is called a super satellite.
  
Satin Finish [Golf]
Type of finish applied to stainless steel iron heads and metal wood soles through a series of finishing belts. Appears as a brushed aluminum type of finish.
  
Satsu Ya [Archery]
A hunting arrow, Japan.
  
Satsu Yumi [Archery]
A hunting bow, Japan.
  
Saucer (Fracture) [Horse Racing]
Stress fracture of the front of the cannon bone that can be straight or curved.
  
Sausage Sizzle [Baseball]
The universal fund raising and social focal point in Australian amateur club sports. The baseball club sausage sizzle has a hot plate with butcher's sausages ("snags" or "bangers") and often onions cooking. The sausage is serve on white bread that is always buttered and costs $1 - $1-50. Some clubs also serve "butcher shop special" lower cuts of steak which become "steak sandwiches. Mustard is rare in Australian baseball clubs as most sausage sizzle meat is smothered in "tomato sauce" (Americans read "ketchup"). Most Australian junior baseball clubs run sausage sizzles each week or as often as possible.
  
Sauter La Coupe [Poker]
A cheating maneuver in which the dealer palms a card and moves it to the bottom of the deck, there to be dealt at his discretion.
  
Savage [Horse Racing]
When a horse bites another horse or a person.
  
Savannah [Poker]
7 (the card, or the lowball hand).
  
Savate [Martial Arts]
French hand and foot fighting. A method of fighting to the knockout, once popular with the aristocracy of France.
  
Save [Poker]
1) Make an agreement, between two or more players, to pay the others when one wins a pot. For example, if you and I are saving antes, each time you win a pot, you throw me an ante chip, and each time I win one, I throw you a chip. 2) In a tournament, make an agreement near the end to allocate some of the prize money for first place to lower places. For example, if first place is worth $2000 and second $1000, two players might agree to save $200 and play for the rest. This way, second place would be worth $1200 and first $1800. In another example, nine players might be at the final table in a $100-buy-in tournament that pays only the top six places. They might agree before starting final-table play to save $100 for places seven through nine, the amount to come out of first place or perhaps first and second. That way, everyone who made it to the final table would be guaranteed something.
  
Save Bets [Poker]
Make an agreement, between two or more players, to pay the others when one wins a pot, except that players involved in such an agreement return all of what the others have invested in the pot. For example, if you and I are saving bets, and you win a pot in which we both play, you return to me everything I put in the pot, and vice versa. In such cases, you and I make money if we are both in a pot only if someone else is in. This procedure is not permitted in most card rooms, because it looks like a form of collusion to the other players. Also push bets
  
Save Ground [Horse Racing]
To cover the shortest possible distance in a race.
  
Save Opportunities (Svo) [Baseball]
Number of times a relief pitcher enters a game in which one of the three situations under the definition of a save presents itself.
  
Save Percentage [Baseball]
Saves (SV) divided by Save Opportunities (OP).
  
Save Situation [Baseball]
A Relief Pitcher is in a Save Situation when upon entering the game with his club leading, he has the opportunity to be the finishing pitcher (and is not the winning pitcher of record at the time), and meets any one of the three following conditions: (1) he has a lead of no more than three runs and has the opportunity to pitch for at least one inning, or (2) he enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck; or (3) he pitches three or more innings regardless of the lead and the official scorer credits him with a save.
  
Saved by the Bell [Boxing]
When a fighter is on the verge of being knocked out or is knocked out just as the bell sounds so that the fighter does not lose and has a minute to compose himself. Generally no longer allowed in professional matches.
  
Saved on Rail [Golf]
Benefiting from a rail position and missing/avoiding trouble.
  
Saves (Sv) [Baseball]
Number of times a relief pitcher finishes a game where the potential tying or winning run is on base, at home plate or in the on-deck circle. Also the number of times a relief pitcher pitches the final three innings of a win; or the number of times a reliever pitches one inning or more in which he protects a lead of three runs or less.
  
Savidlin [Archery]
A type of bear arrow, Point Barrow.
  
Saving Grace [Bingo]
68
  
Saving the Car/Tires [Motor Sports]
Driving a car somewhat moderately to conserve the cars mechanical parts and lessen tire wear. This allows a driver to be more aggressive during the all-important final laps.
  
Sawbuck [Poker]
$10 or a $10 bill.
  
Sawdust Joint [Poker]
1) A card room or casino that caters to a low-class crowd, sometimes implying a place whose denizens include thieves. Comes from a time when taverns had hardwood floors and sawdust sprinkled on the floor to absorb spilled drinks. 2) Any gambling house of less-than-opulent surroundings, as opposed to a carpet joint.
  
Sawing on the Wheel [Motor Sports]
When a driver violently turns the wheel back and forth to regain control of the race car.
  
Sawski [Poker]
$10 or a $10 bill.
  
Sax [Poker]
6 (the card, or the lowball hand).
  
Say [Poker]
Announce in turn whether one is betting or passing.
  
Saya [Martial Arts]
The scabbard of a samurai sword.
  
Sb [Poker]
Shorthand, particularly in e-mail and Internet postings, for small blind.
  
Sb Success% [Baseball]
Stolen Bases divided by (Stolen Bases plus Caught Stealing).
  
Sb% [Baseball]
Stolen Base Percentage
  
Sba [Blackjack]
The acronym for Statistical Blackjack Analyzer, blackjack software by Karel Janecek.
  
Sc [Lotto]
An abbreviation used to describe a scratch card with the latex scratched off.
  
Scabbards [Bobsledding]
Guards of wood or metal that are used to protect the runners while the sled is being transported.
  
Scale [Sailing]
Climb.
  
Scale of Weights [Horse Racing]
A schedule of set weights that must be carried by horses according to age, sex, distance and time of year to equalize competition.
  
Scale Room [Greyhound Racing]
An area within the Paddock where the greyhounds are weighed on a calibrated scale by the Clerk of Scales.
  
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