Gambling is one of the oldest activities many people have been enjoying in their spare time quite a bit. As such, it’s natural that this activity has developed a culture around itself. Aside from a plethora of interesting stories, unexpected gambling outcomes and quite a few interesting anecdotes, the gambling world is also filled with various gambling quotes.
Some of these quotes are well-known in the gambling world. However, it’s not always clear where they originated from and what’s the story behind how they came to be. Regardless, some of them are still being used regularly to this day by gamblers old and new. So, with that in mind, here are some of the most amazing and memorable quotes of all times.
The poker face
Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ve probably heard the term “poker face”. If not anytime earlier, you simply couldn’t get away from Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” in 2014. But have you ever wondered when was this term used for the first time? No? Well, we’re here to offer some education.
The term “poker face” is believed to be as old as the game itself. However, the first recorded use of this phrase dates all the way back to the 1870s. The first written evidence of this term can be found in a book about the game of poker and how to learn to play it. As you may assume, “to read someone’s poker face” means to be able to determine what a person’s – usually expressionless – face is trying to say or hide. Even though this was the first recorded instance of using this phrase, it is believed that the expression was already widely used in the gambling community.
Calling someone “a card”
Although not as used today as it was in the past, calling someone “a card” or “a knowing card” is another popular gambling term. The first time this term was recorded in writing can be found in Charles Dicken’s “Sketches By Boz”, 1836. The term was used to describe a person who’s quick-witted or simply being funny. It’ similar to how nowadays, the youth use the phrase “he/she is a real character” to describe a similar person.
However, some also believe that this term can be used to mean the same thing as “a joker” referring to the correlating card in a deck. Since this term is slowly phasing out of use, and the meaning of it somewhat changed over time, it might be better to avoid using it today, especially among the younger crowd.
“Quit while you’re ahead. All the best gamblers do.”
This is believed to be a wise quote from Spanish Jesuit priest, Baltasar Gracian (1601 – 1658) that can be found in his book “The Art of Worldly Wisdom”. It is believed that this quote stems from a Chinese saying that goes something like this: “If you must play, decide upon three things at the start: the rules of the game, the stakes, and the quitting time.”
Regardless of its origin, this blog post from onlinecasinos.com.sg includes arguably still the best quote about luck as it warns gamblers about potential issues that can arise from getting carried away. Knowing when to stop and admit defeat is far wiser than losing or even chasing your losses.
“Put your money where your mouth is”
One of the most popular better’s and gambler’s quotes is to “Put your money where your mouth is”. This one is believed to have originated in the U.S. during the World Warr II and was shortly spread worldwide. Simply put, it means that you shouldn’t be saying things unless you can easily prove them. It’s commonly used in poker to challenge other players to call your raise.
Similar quotes can be found even before 1930s, but this one is believed to be closely referring to gambling, in particular. Of course, this quote should never be misunderstood, and especially not in times of global pandemic, as money is extremely dirty and you should never get it anywhere near your mouth.
“Put your cards on the table”
The relation between this saying and the gambling world is quite obvious, as almost any card game out there will require you to show your cards if you hope to win. It is believed that this saying originated in the 1800s, but due to its easy applicability to various life situations.
Since this quote is easily applicable in situations outside the gambling world, it was quickly widely accepted in regular, every day speech as well. So, if you want to convince someone you’re telling the truth, you simply need to put your cards on the table.
“If there weren’t luck involved, I would win every time”
Another famous gambling quote, brought to us by none other than Phil Hellmuth, is really simple but quite effective. If you really think about it, no matter how good you are at something you do, luck will still find a way to get involved. Now, when Lady Luck chooses to bless you with her presence – nothing can go wrong.
But you need to keep in mind that she won’t always be there by your side. In the gambling world, expecting to win every single game you’ve played is simply unreal. So, make sure you always try to stay calm, collected and in touch with reality, no matter how good the roll you’re on.
These were just some of the most popular gambling quotes. Since gambling is such a favorite activity with such a rich history, the amount of fun, interesting and educational quotes that originated from it is simply abundant. So, make sure you do a bit of research yourself and find amazing gambling quotes you find appealing. Boosting motivation was never a bad thing so you should try and find a quote that will help you achieve just that. In the end, these are just words – but words with very powerful messages that can help keep you motivated even when you’re feeling down.
