When I wrote the first installment of the pool glossary of terms I had so many words and phrases that I couldn't fit them all into one article. The following terms and phrases are fairly common among pool players who gamble, but are almost never heard outside of the pool scene. As with the first installment, I will use the word or phrase in a sentence so you understand their context.

Make a game: Negotiating the terms of a game, also known as the spot. A better player will offer to give a few games on the wire or a ball spot to try to make the game more even. Sometimes the lesser player is also given all of the breaks.

"I'm trying to make a game with guy, but we can't get agree on the right spot."

Locksmith: Someone who is an expert at making games that are favorable.

"Stay away from him. He's a locksmith"

The Nuts: A game that is so favorable that you almost can't lose.

"I can't lose. I got the nuts."

Outrunning the nuts: Winning a game you're not supposed to win.

"I'm supposed to win this game every day of the week. That guy outran the nuts."

Nit: Someone who will only gamble when they have the stone cold nuts.

"Don't waste your time. He's a nit."

Keeping a customer: Missing on purpose or losing a few games to keep the score close. This makes the person who is losing feel like they have a chance so they will keep betting.

"I didn't play bad. I was just keeping a customer"

In the box/in action: Playing for money

"Not now, I'm in action"

Stake horse: A person who puts up their money to get players in action. If the player loses, the stake horse loses all of the money. If the player wins, the winnings are usually split 50/50.

"My stake horse is putting me in the box with the new guy."

Stable: A group of trusted players that work for a stake horse.

"Mr. French just added Joe to his stable."

Barking/woofing: Calling people out to gamble.

"This fool keeps barking at me."

Orange Crush: A spot in which a player is given the 5 ball (Orange) and the breaks (crush)

"I can give this guy the orange crush."

Doing business: When a player purposefully loses for his stake horse so he can split the money with his "opponent".

"Mr. French doesn't back Joe anymore. Found out he was doing business."

Now that  you know the language of gambling don't just assume you should gamble. Start by playing cheap and only play people you know. Just because you can now talk the talk be cautious trying to walk the walk.