gambling terms > all gambling terms

Open Seat [Poker]
	1) A vacant position at a poker table. 2) An available position or chair for another player.

Open Shot [Basketball]
	A shot taken by an undefended player.

Open Stance [Golf]
	The left foot is dropped behind the imaginary line of the direction of the ball. This allows the golfer to face more in the direction the ball is going to travel.

Open Turning [Skiing]
	Parallel turning with a wide-track stance, as opposed to the traditional 'knees-and-ankles-bolted-together' stance.

Open Two Doors [Bingo]
	44

Open Up [Poker]

1) Play liberally or loosely, after having played conservatively for awhile. 2) Go on tilt (Playing poorly and irrationally due to emotional upset, often caused by the player in question having had a good hand beat by a freak draw from another player (often in complete disregard of the odds and good play) or the player having lost a pot because of his own bad play. Also called steaming, having one's nose open, opened up, unglued and being wide open).

Open Wheel [Motor Sports]
	Formula One and Indy car style race cars which are designed to have the suspension, wheels and tires exposed, no fenders.

Open-End Lease [Motor Sports]

Also called a Finance or Equity Lease. The lessee is responsible for the difference between the agreed-upon residual value and the fair market value of the vehicle at the end of the lease, if the vehicle is worth less than anticipated. For example, if the vehicle has a market value of $8,000 at the end of the lease, and the residual value was set at $10,000, then the lessee owes the leasing company the difference of $2,000. The lessee has the right to an independent appraisal of the vehicle, at his or her own expense. The payments for an open-end lease are generally lower than those for a closed-end lease.

Open-End Straight [Poker]
	Four cards to a straight which can be completed by drawing a card at either end.

Open-Ended Straight [Poker]
	Four cards to a straight which can be completed by drawing a card at either end.

Open-Ender [Poker]
	Four cards to a straight which can be completed by drawing a card at either end.

Open-Handed [Poker]
	A category of games characterized by a part of each player's hand being exposed.

Opener [Poker]
	The one who opens or opened a pot. "It's on the opener" means, before the draw, the person who first bet has to call a raise, or, after the draw, the person who first bet now has to make a bet or pass.

Openers [Poker]

1) Minimum opening requirements in a particular game. In California draw (limit), for example, a pair of jacks is openers. "Who's got openers?" means "Can anyone open the pot?", that is, does anyone have a pair of jacks or better? 2) The specific cards with which a player opened a pot in a game that has minimum opening requirements. For example, if a player started with K-K-J-9-7, the pair of kings would be his openers. When requested to show openers, he would show the pair of kings and no more of his hand. 3) In a draw game with no minimum opening requirements, often a pair of jacks. (The quote for definition 2 is applicable here, too.)Player who open the betting, especially in draw poker. A hand may have no openers, in which case it is passed out.

Opening Bet [Poker]
	1) Bring-in. Also called bring-in bet. 2) Early bet

Opening Line [General]
	The initial list of point spreads for upcoming games.

Opening Requirements [Poker]
	What you need to open in a game that has openers. (Minimum opening requirements in a particular game. In California draw (limit), for example, a pair of jacks is openers.).

Opening Shock [Skydiving]
	The force experienced by the jumper due to the sudden deceleration from terminal velocity due to the deployment of a parachute.

Operating Stewards [Motor Sports]
	Run the race on an hour-to-hour basis. Responsible to Chief Steward.

Opponent Batting Average [Baseball]
	Hits Allowed divided by (Batters Faced minus Walks minus Hit Batsmen minus Sacrifice Hits minus Sacrifice Flies minus Catcher's Interference).

Opponents [Baseball]

Notre Dame has faced 267 different opponents entering its 109th year of varsity baseball. James Madison, Florida International, Missouri and Oakland were first-time opponents in 1999, followed by North Florida and Akron in 2000. Potential first-time opponents in 2001 include Bucknell, Florida Atlantic, New Mexico, Pacific, Sam Houston State and South Florida. Notre Dame's most common all-time opponents: Northwestern (130 games), Michigan State (125), Western Michigan (121), Wisconsin (118), Purdue (114) and Michigan (113). Noteworthy teams that Notre Dame has yet to face: Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and UC Santa Barbara.

Opportunity Cost [Motor Sports]
	The cost of using money one way as opposed to using it in another, more economically advantageous way. For example, the loss of interest experienced as a result of removing money from a savings account to be used as a down payment on a vehicle.

Opposition [Fencing]
	Holding the opponent's blade in a non-threatening line; a time-hit; any attack or counter-attack with opposition.

Ops [Baseball]
	On-base Plus Slugging Percentage

Option [Poker]
	When a player posts a live blind, that player is given the option to raise when their turn comes around, even if no one else has raised; straddle.

Option Card [Poker]

In stud, played in a home game, an extra card that a player can "buy" after all the cards that constitute a hand have been dealt. This card is generally a replacement for one of the player's existing cards, usually with an up card being replaced by an up card, and a down card being replaced by a down card, and often with the player having to pay for the card, that is, put extra chips in the pot, such chips not constituting a bet, because that "bet" does not have to be matched by other players. "We're playing five-card stud, high-low, with a twist." Also called discard, pitch, replacement, substitution.

Optional Card [Poker]

Optional Claimer [Horse Racing]
	A race for horses entered to be claimed at a fixed price or a price within a limited range.

Optional Dives [Diving]
	The dives that a diver can choose to perform, with no limit on the degree of difficulty. They are usuallly performed after the required dives.

Optional Equipment [Motor Sports]
	Equipment or features that can be added to a particular model which are not part of the standard package. These usually involve additional cost and can be ordered individually or as part of a package.

Optional Start [Wrestling]
	Instead of taking top position, a wrestler can choose this variation; the wrestler places both hands on the bottom man's back and leaves his knees off the mat. When this option is chosen, the referee must inform the bottom man so he may adjust his position. Optional start usually is used when you intend to let the bottom man go immediately, but not always.

Optionals [Gymnastics]
	Routines designed by the gymnast. Compare compulsories.

Options [Baseball]

A player who is still on the 40-man roster but not on the 25-man roster or the disabled list is on an optional assignment to the minor leagues. One of the more complicated matters in baseball, options can be simply explained. A player has three years after he is added to the 40-man roster in which he can be sent to the minors without being removed from the roster, these are option years. An option is used every year such a player is sent down unless the player remains in the minors for less than 10 days in each stint. A player "out-of-options" has exhausted his option years. There are many exceptions to this rule however. If a player has not been on the major-league roster during the season during his career, then he can have a fourth option year. Players with at least five years of major-league experience who haven't been optioned to the minors three times may be optioned to the minors and still remain on the 40-man roster, but must give their permission.

Opw [Wrestling]
	Osaka Pro-Wrestling

Oral Bet [Poker]
	A wager made by announcing the size of the bet but without actually putting any chips or money in the pot. In some (not all) establishments, oral declarations made in turn are binding; nonetheless, cautious players wait till the chips are actually in the pot before either calling the bet or showing their hands. Also called mouth bet, verbal bet.

Oral Declaration [Poker]
	A statement made by a player on his turn of his intentions: pass, fold, bet, or raise (and, in a no-limit game, how much). Also called verbal declaration

Order of Cards in a Hand [Video Poker]
	The order that the cards appear in a hand doesn't matter except in the case of a Sequential Royal Flush. All other hands pay the same no matter what order the cards appear in.

Ordinary Foul [Water Polo]
	An infringement that usually results in a free throw for the opposing team. Ordinary fouls include taking the ball underwater when tackled; playing the ball while standing or walking on the bottom of the pool; jumping from the bottom of the pool; hitting the ball with the fist; playing the ball with both hands at the same time; and deliberately impeding an opponent who doesn't have the ball.

Orei [Martial Arts]
	"Respect" or "etiquitte." A expression of formal greeting in karate.

Original Hand [Poker]
	1) In draw poker, a player's first five cards, that is, the cards dealt before the draw. 2) In stud games with a discard (twist), the cards dealt before the discard.

Original Ticket [Keno]
	The blank filled out by the player and presented to the keno writer, which is the basis for all keno payouts. Also Master Ticket.

Original Wrestler [Wrestling]
	A wrestler which is created out of whole cloth by the player. Not a Real Wrestler. See Real Wrestler.

Orphans / Orphelins [Roulette]
	It's a bet on three specific numbers 6, 34 and 17 that are neighbors on the wheel, but far apart on the layout. This is a French phrase which is common in European casinos.

Orthoplast [Luge]
	A moldable plastic used by sliders to make thin, hard pads.

Orun [Martial Arts]
	Right.

Osae Komi Waza [Martial Arts]
	Techniques of immobilizing and pinning the opponent.

Oscar's Grind [Blackjack]
	A conservative win progression described by Allan Wilson on pages 246-248 of The Casino Gambler's Guide. After a loss, you repeat the bet. After a win, you bet whatever you need to show a total profit of one unit, subject to increasing your bet no more than one unit. Like all progressions, Oscar's system does not change the casino's edge.

Osselet [Horse Racing]
	See arthritis.

Osselets [Horse Racing]
	This is an arthritis of the fetlock joint that causes the ankle to become enlarged and out of shape. Firing or blistering and rest is the method of treating this condition.

Osteoarthritis [Horse Racing]
	A permanent form of arthritis with progressive loss of the articular cartilage in a joint. See degenerative joint disease.

Ot [Basketball]
	Abbreviation for overtime.

Otb [Horse Racing]
	Abbreviation for off-track betting.

Otogane [Archery]
	Metal tips on a bow, Japan.

Otoh [Blackjack]
	The acronym for On The Other Hand.

Otoshi [Martial Arts]
	Push down

Otoshi Enpi Uchi [Martial Arts]
	Dropping elbow strike

Otoshi Hiji Ate [Martial Arts]
	Dropping elbow strike

Otoshi Uke [Martial Arts]
	Dropping block (with pushing down)

Otsuba [Archery]
	The feathered end of an arrow, Japan.

Otto Cycle [Motor Sports]
	The four operations of intake, compression, power and exhaust (4-cycle engine). Named for inventor Dr. Nikolaus Otto.

Ou [Blackjack]
	An abbreviation for over/under.

Ouchy [Horse Racing]
	Sore.

Ouruma [Archery]
	A species of yew used by the Ainu to make their bows.

Out [Poker]
	1) Folded, ineligible to bet or win this hand. "I'm out" is often a synonym for "I fold". 2) An out is a card that will improve your hand, usually one that you think will make it a winner. 3) In hold'em, an open-ended straight draw has eight outs (the four cards of each rank that will complete the straight).

Out and in [Bowling]
	A hook that's initially thrown toward the gutterand then breaks back across the lane toward the pocket.

Out Brake [Motor Sports]
	A driver gains time and position on an opponent by applying the brakes later and deeper into a corner.

Out Clause [Wrestling]
	A way to get out of a long term contract that also allows the wrestler some control over his character for his last days with the organization; as the case with Bret Hart.

Out Half [Rugby]
	Same as fly half.

Out in Order [Baseball]
	Retiring the first 3 batters in an inning.

Out Landing [Skydiving]
	Landing off target.

Out of Action [Poker]
	1) Pertaining to a player who is on the outside, that is, busted. 2) Pertaining to a damaged deck, often one that has just had a card torn by an irate player. Right after a player loses a big pot on a bad beat, and angrily crumples the cards, the dealer might yell to the floor man, "Bring a new setup; this one's out of action

Out of Bounds [Basketball]
	Outside of the playing area; beyond the sideline and/or the baseline. The ball is out of bounds when it touches the floor or any person or object that's out of bounds, or when it touches the back of the backboard or its supports. The team that last touched the ball is considered responsible and the ball is awarded to the other team for a throw-in.

Out of Line [Poker]
	1) Pertaining to a bet or raise made to represent a hand better than one holds, that is, describing a bluff. 2) Describing objectionable behavior in a card room patron.

Out of Play [Soccer]
	When a ball is outside the boundaries of the field or play has been stopped by the referee.

Out of Position [Horse Racing]
	A horse which is not in its designated barrier position at the start of a mobile event is deemed to have been out of position at the start.

Out of the Money [Horse Racing]
	When a horse does not finish in the first three for the bettors.

Out of Trim [Sailing]
	Sails that are not properly arranged for the point of sail that the boat is on. The sails may be luffing or have improper sail shape, or the boat may be heeling too much. These conditions will slow the boat down.

Out of Turn [Poker]

Pertaining to a bet or raise made by a player before the action has come to him. For example, the player two positions to your right bets. While the player one position to your right contemplates what to do, you say, "I raise." You are acting out of turn and, in most clubs, your action is not binding; that is, when the action comes to you, you are not obligated to raise, or even bet. Acting out of turn is sometimes part of an angle shooter's repertoire

Out on a Limb [Poker]
	Describing a risky bet situation, usually a bluff. "I knew he was out on a limb, but I couldn't call with just an ace-high when there were two more players behind me.

Out Turn [Curling]
	Rotation applied when the curler turns the elbow outward upon release. Counter-clockwise, for a right-handed curler.

Out-of-Line Play [Poker]
	A bluff.

Outboard [Powerboating]
	Descriptive of anything positioned outside the hull; also shorthand for an outboard motor or a boat powered by an outboard motor.

Outboard Engine [Sailing]
	An engine used to power a small boat. Outboard engines are mounted on a bracket aft of the stern of the boat.

Outboard Motor [Powerboating]
	A detachable motor that can be mounted outside the hullt.

Outcome Score [Wrestling]
	Victory by fall 5 points

Outdraw [Poker]
	To make a better hand than an opponent by merit of the cards you draw.

Outfield [Baseball]
	Area between the back edge of the infield and home run fence.

Outfielder [Baseball]
	A fielder who occupies a position in the outfield, which is the playing field most distance from home base.

Outfielder Hold Percentage [Baseball]
	A statistic used to evaluate outfielders' throwing arms. "Hold Percentage" is computed by dividing extra bases taken (by baserunners) by the number of opportunities. For example, if a single is lined to center field with men on first and second, and one man scores while the other stops at second, that is one extra base taken on two opportunities, a 50.0 hold percentage.

Outfinished [Golf]
	Held stride but was run down by others finishing stronger.

Outhaul [Sailing]
	A line used to tension the foot of a sail, used to maintain proper sail shape.

Outlaw Line [General]
	An early line which is not an official line. Quite often line makers allow specially selected bettors to wager into the "outlaw line" before entering the line to the public. The line makers respect these individuals and use their input to create a final opening number. This process is also called "ironing" or "flattening" the line.

Outlay [General]
	The money an investor bets or wagers is called their outlay.

Outlet [Water Polo]
	A pass from the goalkeeper to a teammate to begin a counterattack after a save.

Outlet Pass [Basketball]
	A pass thrown by a player after getting a rebound to a teammate, generally near midcourt, to start a fast break.

Outlet Passes [Soccer]
	When a goaltender or defender passes the ball from close to his own goal toward the other team's goal; used to start a counterattack.

Outrider [Horse Racing]
	The person who leads the post parade at a horse racetrack and gets the horses and jockeys to the starting gates on time. The outriders also catch any loose horses on the track.

Outrigger [Skiing]
	Turning (usually whilst in a low crouch) on the inside ski, with the outside ski extended outwards and off the snow.

Outright [Baseball]

When a player is sent outright or outrighted to the minors, then he has cleared procedural waivers and been removed from the 40-Man roster. A player may be outrighted once in his career without a choice. After the first time, the player may choose to accept the assignment and report or refuse the assignment and opt for free agency. After the assignment is made, the player has 72 hours to make a decision about his status. Players who are outrighted to the minors may return to the major-leagues by having their contract purchased or being signed to a major-league contract with another team as a free agent. If the player has five years of service time, he may reject his assignment regardless of whether it is his first outright.

Outrun [Skiing]
	A flat area at the bottom of the hill where skiers can come to a gradual stop.

Outs [Poker]
	Cards that improve a hand, usually used with reference to a hand that is not currently the best hand. The term is most often used for hold 'em, but can be used for stud or Omaha, and sometimes even draw games.

Outside [Poker]

1) Not an employee of a card room, that is, a live player; usually preceded by on the. "Doesn't Hector work here?" "Nah, he's on the outside." 2) In lowball, pertaining to a card drawn to (usually) a good hand, but either somewhat above the card that would make that the best hand possible (as when drawing to A-2-3-4, and catching a 6 or higher), or when drawing to a hand with "room" inside (that is, with space below its highest card), pertaining to a card drawn above the hand (as when drawing to 4-5-6-7, and catching an 8 or higher). If a player shows down an 8-4 and says, "I caught outside," you know he caught the 8. A player might make this remark after losing to a rough 7, and bemoaning his luck that he didn't make the wheel.

Outside Agency [Golf]
	Any agency not part of the match or, in stroke play, not part of the competitor's side. Among outside agencies are observers, forecaddies, markers, and the referee.

Outside Bet [Roulette]
	One of the 2-to-1 or even-money bets found on the outside of the roulette layout: Red, Black, Odd, Even, High or Low.

Outside Center [Rugby]
	The back who usually wears No. 13. See center.

Outside Draw [Horse Racing]
	The barrier positions furthest away from the inside running rail. For instance, in a ten horse standing start event, barrier six on the front line or barrier ten on the second line, would be considered an outside draw.

Outside Drive [Horse Racing]
	A driver who regularly drives for his own stable, or that of another trainer, who is employed to drive a pacer for someone else, is considered to have picked up an outside drive.

Outside Fence [Horse Racing]
	The outside running rail, closest to the spectators.

Outside Groove [Motor Sports]
	The outside racing line. Sometimes a car will handle and perform better on the outside/inside line and a driver opts not to use the optimum groove.

Outside Half [Rugby]
	Same as fly half.

Outside Hand [Rowing]
	The hand farthest from the oarlock.

Outside Line [Fencing]
	Any line on the side opposite the the sword arm.

Outside Numbers [Craps]
	The 4, 5, 9, and 10 as place numbers.

Outside Shooting [Basketball]
	Shots taken from the perimeter.

Outside Shot [Basketball]
	A shot taken from some distance.

Outside Ticket [Keno]
	The official game ticket returned to the player in exchange for his hand marked ticket and the appropriate wager.

Outsider [General]
	A horse whose chances of winning a race are not considered to be very strong. An outsider is usually quoted at the highest odds.

Outstanding in your Field [Craps]
	Betting that the next roll will be the total sum of 12 (6&6).

Outstanding Ticket [Horse Racing]
	A winning pari-mutuel ticket that has not yet been cashed; also known as uncashed tickets or outs.

Oval [Motor Sports]
	An oval-shaped track such as Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Ovals [Motor Sports]
	An elliptical race track, as opposed to a road race.

Over [Wrestling]

(adjective) If a face is over with the crowd, it means that they cheer him. If a heel is over with the crowd, it means that they boo him. Regardless of whether he is a face ora heel, a wrestler’s main priority is to get over with the crowd. The more over a wrestler is, it makes sense that the promotion will find him more valuable and they will pay him more money. This term can also apply to a move which draws an instant reaction from the fans and/or can bereasonably expected to end a match when applied (e.g. The Rock Bottom).

Over & Under [General]
	A wager for the total score by both teams will more or less than the total posted by the sports book.

Over / Under [General]
	A wager that the total score by both teams will be more or less than the total posted by the sports book.

Over / Under the Total [General]
	Betting that the combined score of two teams in a particular game will be over/under a predicted number.

Over and Back [Basketball]
	A violation on which a team has brought the ball into the frontcourt and then lets it return to the backcourt. As soon as a player from that team touches it in the backcourt, the ball is dead and is awarded to the opposing team for a throw-in.

Over at the Knee [Horse Racing]
	A leg that looks like it has a forward arc with its center at the knee when viewed from the side.

Over Blind [Poker]

1) Put in a blind when one is already present. In a traveling blind game, this could mean someone putting in an optional blind in addition to the mandatory blinds. In a game without mandatory blinds, this would be blinding a pot (putting in a blind) after someone else has killed it. (To put in an over blind is sometimes called to kill.) Sometimes called go the overs. 2) The blind put in by the person who over blinds. In a 3-3-6 traveling blind game ($12 limit or $12 minimum bet no-limit), John might put in $12 before getting his cards. He has doubled the limit (or the minimum bet) to $24, and he gets last action before the draw. Someone might say, "John acts last; he has the over blind." Also straddle, for both meanings.

Over Button [Poker]
	In some games, players can take "over" buttons that mean they're willing to play at higher limits. Any time everyone left in the hand has an over button, the limits go up.

Over the Limit [Basketball]
	Beyond a given number of fouls. Each team is allowed four fouls per quarter for which no free throws are assessed (unless they are committed against players in the act of shooting ); after four fouls a team is said to be "over the limit" and free throws are assessed on all subsequent fouls.

Over the Top [Poker]
	Describing a raise, generally one made on top of another raise, and, in a no-limit game, often large compared to the preceding wagering; usually preceded by come. "I bet, Jim raised, and Grady came over the top for all his chips."

Over Weight [Bingo]
	28

Over-Bowed [Archery]
	Said of an archer who is using too heavy a bow. See weight.