What Is A Marker In Gambling

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  1. Casino Credit Marker
  2. Casino Markers Explained

I'm assuming your talking about taking a marker in the way someone would take a marker at say a table such as blackjack. This is a casino line of credit. You need to set up a credit line with the. Casino markers are lines of credit that allow high-level gambling patrons easy access to large sums of cash. Candidates for a marker must apply to the casino credit department where the patron's financial worthiness is examined and final line of credit determined. Casino markers are short-term, interest-free loans. The marker is an actual check and can be treated like one by the casino. The casino will allow you to use the money for 30 days without interest. However, if you do not repay the amount you borrowed within that time, it is the same as if you wrote a bad check. Casino and card room markers are special credits that allow players to receive easy access to large amounts of money on the spot. Gamblers who wish to obtain a marker are required to apply to the casino credit department, which examines the patron's financial status and determines the final line of credit. The loans are interest-free, but must be repaid quickly or the customer might face high interest fees or even serious criminal charges.

Xtina
I've applied for a marker at a local casino for the first time. I'd like to look like I know what I'm doing with it when I get to a table. What is the etiquette/culture for drawing on that marker when I'm at the table? I play craps, blackjack & bacarrat. I've heard that you can give hand signals such as holding up one hand (5 fingers) indicates you want to draw $500 or holding up both hands (10 fingers) indicates you want to draw $1k. What should I say; what should I know; what should I do? Thanks in advance!
michael99000
Thanks for this post from:

I've applied for a marker at a local casino for the first time. I'd like to look like I know what I'm doing with it when I get to a table. What is the etiquette/culture for drawing on that marker when I'm at the table? I play craps, blackjack & bacarrat. I've heard that you can give hand signals such as holding up one hand (5 fingers) indicates you want to draw $500 or holding up both hands (10 fingers) indicates you want to draw $1k. What should I say; what should I know; what should I do? Thanks in advance!


I usually would just hand the table manager my players card and verbally tell him I want a marker and for how much.
billryan
It has been years since I used markers, but I always found it easier to get money at the cage.
Markers
DRich

I usually would just hand the table manager my players card and verbally tell him I want a marker and for how much.


I agree.
Living longer does not always infer +EV
beachbumbabs
Administrator
Thanks for this post from:

I usually would just hand the table manager my players card and verbally tell him I want a marker and for how much.


That's what I do, and that's what I've observed with others. I think the PB wants it clear and unambiguous that you want one, and for how much, before they start the paperwork.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
Ayecarumba
Thanks for this post from:

I agree.


I also agree, especially if it is your first time. The Pit Boss will eventually get to know your preferred amount after a few times. Five fingers can mean $5,000 to the bigger player next to you, so it is best to be clear to avoid undue paperwork for the crew.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
billryan
So you guys sit at the table and ask for a marker. Obviously the game doesn't stop until you have money, so you bring your own to the table?
I used to just walk up to the cage and ask for one. Some casinos used to have a dedicated line for markers.
unJon

I've applied for a marker at a local casino for the first time. I'd like to look like I know what I'm doing with it when I get to a table. What is the etiquette/culture for drawing on that marker when I'm at the table? I play craps, blackjack & bacarrat. I've heard that you can give hand signals such as holding up one hand (5 fingers) indicates you want to draw $500 or holding up both hands (10 fingers) indicates you want to draw $1k. What should I say; what should I know; what should I do? Thanks in advance!

If it's your first time, you'll probably need to go to casino services and sign some forms before you can draw the marker.
The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; but that is the way to bet.
DRich

If it's your first time, you'll probably need to go to casino services and sign some forms before you can draw the marker.


Absolutely. You always need to establish credit before you can get a marker.
Living longer does not always infer +EV
DJTeddyBear
Thanks for this post from:

If it's your first time, you'll probably need to go to casino services and sign some forms before you can draw the marker.

Sounds like the OP did this already. Or maybe did it online or by mail.
In either case, it's probably easier and quicker to go to the credit office just to verify that it's set up and to get these questions answered.
You should also ask about the payback procedure. Some casinos will allow (insist?) you to pay it back immediately at the table if you're ahead when you want to get up.
The fingers thing? Yeah, that's only for well known players.
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁

A glossary of sports-gambling terms

Copyright © 1989, 1999 by Dan E. Moldea

Republished by popular demand, the following is the glossary of sports-gambling terms that appeared in my now-out-of-print 1989 book, Interference: How Organized Crime Influences Professional Football.

Please remember my long-time admonition: Bet what you can painlessly afford to lose with a friend not with an illegal bookmaker, because when you bet with an illegal bookmaker, especially one who lays off, a piece of your losing bet could wind up in the pocket of some Mafia guy.

Action: Betting.

Bagman:An intermediary who picks up and delivers money.

Bank:The financial backer of a gambling operation.

Beard: A proxy bettor, a front man.

Betting cards: A system of betting in which gamblers must pick between three to twenty winners from a list of upcoming games.

Betting line:The posted list of upcoming games and their point spreads.

'Black Book': The list of undesirable people who are forbidden to enter any casino in Nevada.

Casino Credit Marker

Blue box:A device used by some bookmakers to make illegal long distance calls.

Bookmaker:A broker who accepts wagers from gamblers, usually taking a commission on losing bets booked.

Golden star new york ny. Bottom sheet: A bookmaker's accounting of gambling debts.

Circled game: A contest in which only limited action is accepted.

Closing line: The final list of point spreads offered before game time.

Covering the spread: Beating the posted point spread.

Edge: An advantage that one believes might improve one's ability to predict the outcome of a game.

What is a marker in gambling
DRich

I usually would just hand the table manager my players card and verbally tell him I want a marker and for how much.


I agree.
Living longer does not always infer +EV
beachbumbabs
Administrator
Thanks for this post from:

I usually would just hand the table manager my players card and verbally tell him I want a marker and for how much.


That's what I do, and that's what I've observed with others. I think the PB wants it clear and unambiguous that you want one, and for how much, before they start the paperwork.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
Ayecarumba
Thanks for this post from:

I agree.


I also agree, especially if it is your first time. The Pit Boss will eventually get to know your preferred amount after a few times. Five fingers can mean $5,000 to the bigger player next to you, so it is best to be clear to avoid undue paperwork for the crew.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
billryan
So you guys sit at the table and ask for a marker. Obviously the game doesn't stop until you have money, so you bring your own to the table?
I used to just walk up to the cage and ask for one. Some casinos used to have a dedicated line for markers.
unJon

I've applied for a marker at a local casino for the first time. I'd like to look like I know what I'm doing with it when I get to a table. What is the etiquette/culture for drawing on that marker when I'm at the table? I play craps, blackjack & bacarrat. I've heard that you can give hand signals such as holding up one hand (5 fingers) indicates you want to draw $500 or holding up both hands (10 fingers) indicates you want to draw $1k. What should I say; what should I know; what should I do? Thanks in advance!

If it's your first time, you'll probably need to go to casino services and sign some forms before you can draw the marker.
The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; but that is the way to bet.
DRich

If it's your first time, you'll probably need to go to casino services and sign some forms before you can draw the marker.


Absolutely. You always need to establish credit before you can get a marker.
Living longer does not always infer +EV
DJTeddyBear
Thanks for this post from:

If it's your first time, you'll probably need to go to casino services and sign some forms before you can draw the marker.

Sounds like the OP did this already. Or maybe did it online or by mail.
In either case, it's probably easier and quicker to go to the credit office just to verify that it's set up and to get these questions answered.
You should also ask about the payback procedure. Some casinos will allow (insist?) you to pay it back immediately at the table if you're ahead when you want to get up.
The fingers thing? Yeah, that's only for well known players.
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁

A glossary of sports-gambling terms

Copyright © 1989, 1999 by Dan E. Moldea

Republished by popular demand, the following is the glossary of sports-gambling terms that appeared in my now-out-of-print 1989 book, Interference: How Organized Crime Influences Professional Football.

Please remember my long-time admonition: Bet what you can painlessly afford to lose with a friend not with an illegal bookmaker, because when you bet with an illegal bookmaker, especially one who lays off, a piece of your losing bet could wind up in the pocket of some Mafia guy.

Action: Betting.

Bagman:An intermediary who picks up and delivers money.

Bank:The financial backer of a gambling operation.

Beard: A proxy bettor, a front man.

Betting cards: A system of betting in which gamblers must pick between three to twenty winners from a list of upcoming games.

Betting line:The posted list of upcoming games and their point spreads.

'Black Book': The list of undesirable people who are forbidden to enter any casino in Nevada.

Casino Credit Marker

Blue box:A device used by some bookmakers to make illegal long distance calls.

Bookmaker:A broker who accepts wagers from gamblers, usually taking a commission on losing bets booked.

Golden star new york ny. Bottom sheet: A bookmaker's accounting of gambling debts.

Circled game: A contest in which only limited action is accepted.

Closing line: The final list of point spreads offered before game time.

Covering the spread: Beating the posted point spread.

Edge: An advantage that one believes might improve one's ability to predict the outcome of a game.

11-10:The traditional bet with a bookmaker in which the gambler puts up $11 to win $10.

Fall guy:A guilty or innocent person who accepts the full blame for a crime in order to protect others.

Favorite:The predicted winning team in a particular contest.

Fixed game: A game in which one or more participants willfully manipulate the final outcome of a game.

Flip:To turn state's evidence.

Front man: One who has a facade of legitimacy but secretly represents the interests of his underworld backers.

Grease:A bribe.

Hack: A sportswriter who provides extraordinary loyalty to a particular team or sport in order to maintain his access and sources.

Handicapper:One who determines the conditions and sets the odds that will equalize two teams in an upcoming game.

Handle: The total amount of money bet on a particular game or series of contests.

Hedge: The covering of a bet with a second bet; a layoff.

High roller: A high-stakes gambler.

House:The operator of any gambling business.

Injury report:A description of the status of an injured player, which is frequently used as a variable in betting equations.

Inside information: The data obtained on a particular team or its players and/or staff that may impact upon the final outcome of a game.

Juice:The money owed to a bookmaker or a loan shark.

Juice collector: One who collects the juice.

Lay: To bet.

Layoff: A bookmaker's bet with another bookmaker made in order to help equalize the excess action he has accepted from his customers.

Line:The posted list of games and their point spreads.

Loan shark:One, usually mob-connected, who loans money at a high weekly interest rate.

Lock: A sure winner.

Man-to-man betting: Gambling without either party taking a commission for the bet made.

Marker:An IOU.

Middling:Betting on both teams in a game at different point spreads, in the hope that the final score comes in between so that both bets can be won.

Moving the line: Making alterations in the line based on the volume of betting or other factors, such as injuries.

Odds:The ratio of money that may be won versus the amount of money bet.

Oddsmaker: A person who sets the line.

Off the boards: A situation in which bookmakers will accept no further action.

Opening line: The initial list of point spreads for upcoming games.

Outlaw line: The early, private line set by professional gamblers, which is financed, distributed, and enforced by the organized crime syndicate.

Over/under the total: Betting that the combined score of two teams in a particular game will be over/under a predicted number.

Pari-mutuel: A betting system in which the amount of money paid out to winners is based upon the total pool of bets.

Parlay: Betting on a combination of two or more games.

Pen register: A device attached to a telephone line that maintains a record of each number dialed.

Pigeon: An uneducated, naive, or unsophisticated gambler.

Player: A gambler.

Point spread:A form of handicapping in which oddsmakers predict how many points one team needs against another in order to even out the public betting on a particular game. Enchanted garden game.

Power rating: A number created by a handicapper on the basis of the strength of a particular team.

Press: To increase one's bet.

Price: Point spread.

Pricemaker: An oddsmaker.

Push: A bet that falls right on the point spread; a tie in terms of a money decision.

Runner: A messenger.

Scalping: Selling tickets to a contest at a price above their face value.

Shaving points:The act of one or more participants in a contest manipulating the outcome of a game so that the final score does not cover the spread.

Skim: The cash siphoned off from an operation before it is reported.

Spike mike: An illegal electronic surveillance device.

Sports book: A legal sports bookmaking business.

Stand off a bet: To tie or push.

Straw-man: A front man. Bet us racing reviews.

Taking a lead: An early bet with a favorable price in anticipation of a subsequent movement in the line.

Title III: The section of the 1968 Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, that permits court-authorized electronic surveillance if certain conditions are met.

Tote board: A device that posts teams, contests, and either the odds or the line.

Casino Markers Explained

Tout:An individual of questionable credentials who sells his predictions of the outcomes of games.

Thrown game: A game lost intentionally by a participant.

Underdog:The predicted losing team in a particular contest.

Unnatural money: Large wagers that suddenly appear against the conventional wisdom of the oddsmakers and handicappers.

Vigorish: The bookmaker's commission.

Wagering stamp: A federal occupational tax for gamblers.

Welch: To refuse to pay off a bet already made and lost.

It is no secret that I believe that beat reporting on NFL teams is the whorehouse of American journalism. But could someone please tell the executives at these newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and televisions networks which print or broadcast the betting line--and hire oddsmakers and handicappers to predict the outcomes of games-- that they are helping the illegal gambling economy to become an adjunct to the First Amendment?





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