Roulette Dictionary

S

Scam

Any scheme to defraud a player or casino.

Scared Money

Money a player can't afford to lose.

Scobe's Wager

If it doesn't hurt to play as if something is true, then you have nothing to lose by playing this way as long as you don't increase your time or risk at the table.

Section (Sector) Shooter

A dealer who tries to hit certain numbers or sections on the wheel.

Section Shooting

The act of placing the ball in a given section of the wheel.

Section Slicing

Dividing the wheel into sections based upon which numbers have been hitting for the purpose of discovering biases.

Session

A given period of play at a casino game. Usually terminated at a predetermined time, or at a certain level of wins or losses.

Session Stake

The amount of money set aside for one session of play.

Shift Boss

The individual in charge of the casino during a given work shift.

Shill

An individual employed by the casino to play games that are being underplayed.

Short End

The side of the bet that has to pay off less than it will win.

Short Odds

Less than the true odds payoff for a bet.

Short Run

The limited amount of time during any given session when probability theory will seemingly be skewed by streaks and fluctuations. Also called Short-Term.

Signature

The unconscious ability of a dealer to place a ball within a given distance from the last hit.

Single Number Bet

A single wager on a single number. You place your bet squarely inside a number on the green. Make certain no chip crosses any of the lines. Pays 35-1.

Single-Zero Wheel

Roulette wheel that has only a single zero (0) and a number sequence of (clockwise starting with 0): 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26. Originally, the single-zero wheel started in America and the double-zero wheel started in Europe. But, Europeans liked the single-zero wheel better, and Americans liked the double-zero wheel better so they switched. Today, the European wheel and single-zero wheel are synonymous. It is also known as the French Wheel.

Six Number Bet

An inside combination bet at six numbers at the same time. Same as Line Bet.

Sixain(E)

French term for a Six-Number or Line Bet.

Split Bet

An inside combination bet of two numbers at the same time.

Spread

The difference between the minimum and maximum bets a player makes.

Square Bets

One wager that bets four numbers at the same time. Also known as a Corner Bet or a Quarter Bet. Pays off at 8-1.

Squares

A game or player that is on the level or honest.

Stack

A group of 20 roulette chips.

Straight Bet

A single wager on a single number. You place your bet squarely inside a number on the green. Make certain no chip crosses any of the lines. Pays 35-1.

Straight Up Bet

A single wager on a single number. You place your bet squarely inside a number on the green. Make certain no chip crosses any of the lines. Pays 35-1.

Street Bet

A bet that one of three particular numbers will hit on the next spin. You place your bets on the outside line of the green, indicating that you are betting the three numbers opposite the chips going across the layout.

Sucker Bet

Can only be made on the American Wheel and is a single wager that 0, 00, 1, 2, or 3 will hit next. The single worst bet in roulette, and is thus synonymous with Sucker Bet because it gives the casino a 7.89% edge over the player. Same as Five-Number Bet.

Surrender

The option whereby a casino only takes half a player's losing wager on the even-money bets when the 0 or 00 hits. Few US casinos offer this. It is called the En Prison Rule.

Sweat

[1] Casinos who are upset by players winning or having skill are said to "sweat" out their games. [2] A player who is losing and is worried.