sucker bets
Losses disguised attractively
Sucker bets are wagers that appear attractive but heavily favor the house or the person offering them.
The term implies the bettor is being played for a fool—a sucker.
In casinos, certain side bets and proposition bets qualify; in street games, the sucker bet is often the entire point.
Insurance in blackjack is a classic sucker bet.
He fell for every sucker bet at the carnival.
Unlikely to succeed
- fool's errandHopeless, pointless task
- money pitEndlessly expensive undertaking
- chasing lossesGambling more after losing
- gambler's fallacyAssuming randomness self-corrects
throwing money away · false hope · pipe dream · wishful thinking · no-win · doomed · futile · hopeless
Dishonest money-making scheme
- conArgument against
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
flimflam · grift · bamboozle · hoodwink · sham · trickery · deceit · dupery
Casino's statistical advantage
- lotteryRandomized prize distribution
- slot machinesCoin-operated gambling devices
- kenoNumber-matching gambling game
- scratch cardsLottery with concealed panels
double zero · progressive jackpot · parlay · pick six · numbers game
Visible impression or sign
rube · easy target · gullible · naive · credulous · trusting · greenhorn · inexperienced
Lacking any funds
- bustFailure or sculpture
- cleaned outEmptied or bankrupted
- wiped outUtterly without remaining energy
- bankruptUnable to repay debts
in the hole · deep in debt · ruin · downfall · setback · regret · lesson learned · empty pockets
long shot
Unlikely to succeed
- fool's errandHopeless, pointless task
- money pitEndlessly expensive undertaking
- chasing lossesGambling more after losing
throwing money away · gambler's fallacy · false hope · pipe dream · wishful thinking · no-win · doomed · futile · hopeless
scam
Dishonest money-making scheme
hustle · flimflam · grift · bamboozle · hoodwink · sham · trickery · deceit · dupery · rigged
house edge
Casino's statistical advantage
- lotteryRandomized prize distribution
- slot machinesCoin-operated gambling devices
- kenoNumber-matching gambling game
scratch cards · double zero · progressive jackpot · parlay · pick six · numbers game
mark
Visible impression or sign
chump · rube · easy target · gullible · naive · credulous · trusting · greenhorn · inexperienced · unsuspecting
broke
Lacking any funds
- bustFailure or sculpture
- cleaned outEmptied or bankrupted
- wiped outUtterly without remaining energy
bankrupt · in the hole · deep in debt · ruin · downfall · setback · regret · lesson learned · empty pockets · tapped out