What is paper in gambling?
The short answer
Money. The word gamblers use so they never have to say money.
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Read the transcript
What is paper in gambling? Money. The word gamblers use so they never have to say money. In plain terms: in gambling talk, nobody says money — they say paper. The roll in the pocket, the amount on the line, what you got paid in: all paper. If someone is holding paper, they're holding cash. “Joey Jacoby called — he hit his limit and is asking for temp credit. He says he can get Vito paper tonight.” Let's use this example. Joey Jacoby again. He called Slow-Pay Donnie's book, he's hit his limit, and he's asking for temp credit — his pitch is that he can get Vito paper tonight. Translation: he can get Vito money, in cash, tonight. That's the word doing its job. A guy posts up in paper — cash down, not credit. The book pays out in paper — cash, on the spot. Somebody's holding serious paper — a real bankroll. One word covers the stake, the payout, and the roll, and it exists so the actual word never has to be said out loud. Lines and prices can differ by sportsbook. Nothing here guarantees a result or tells you to bet. Lines move and books differ. Nothing here is a guarantee or a command to bet — it's how the number works.
Betting slang explained
Knowing the language is step one — knowing the true price is the edge. The Cold Line’s signal desk tracks the no-vig fair number and the closing-line value behind terms like this, before the market moves.
In plain English
In gambling talk, nobody says money — they say paper. The roll in the pocket, the amount on the line, what you got paid in: all paper. If someone is "holding paper," they are holding cash.
What to remember about Paper
The definition
Money. The word gamblers use so they never have to say money.
In plain English
In gambling talk, nobody says money — they say paper. The roll in the pocket, the amount on the line, what you got paid in: all paper. If someone is "holding paper," they are holding cash.
Example in context
"Joey Jacoby called — he hit his limit and is asking for temp credit. He says he can get Vito paper tonight."
Check yourself
Term quiz
Check yourself: Paper
1.In gambling talk, paper means…
2.“He posted up in paper.” What did he do?
3.Someone described as “holding serious paper” is…
Keep learning
Explore the next question before you place a bet.
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