Short EndThe side of the bet that has to pay off less than it will win.
Short OddsLess than the true odds payoff for a bet.
Short RunThe limited amount of time during any given session when probability theory will seemingly be skewed by streaks and fluctuations. Also called Short-Term.
Short StackA number of chips that is not very many compared to the other players at the table.
short strikeWhen a fish hits at a lure and misses it.
Short TrackNASCAR racetracks that are less than one mile long.
ShowdownThe point at which all players remaining in the hand turn their cards over and determine who has the best hand - i.e.
ShuffleAt the start of each game when the dealer mixes up the order of the cards is said to shuffle the cards.
Shuffle MasterA company which manufactures automatic shuffling machines which constantly shuffle the blackjack decks.
Shuffle trackingAn advantage play technique in blackjack where a player keeps track of where the high cards are in the deck, then cuts into the deck so that the…
Shuffle UpPremature shuffling of playing cards by the dealer.
Side countAn additional count of a particular set of cards, kept in addition to the point count. Aces are often tracked in a side count.
Side PotA pot created in which a player has no interest because he has run out of chips.
Silly SeasonSlang for the period that begins during the latter part of the current season, wherein some teams announce driver, crew and/or sponsor changes.
size limitThe legal length a fish must be is it is in possession (kept). Some fisheries have slot limits, where fish in the specified slot size range cannot be…
Size limitsFishing regulations which limits anglers to keep fish based upon size.
skippingA method of suing small lures and casting them hard and at a low angle to the water to make them skip, like a flat stone.
slack lineThe loose line from the tip of the rod to the lure. This can be a slight bow in the line to an excess of line lying on the water.
SlickA track condition where, for a number of reasons, it's hard for a car's tires to adhere to the surface or get a good "bite.
SlingshotA maneuver in which a car following the leader in a draft suddenly steers around it, breaking the vacuum; this provides an extra burst of speed that…
slip-floatA float rigged with a tin stop or bead on the line to make it stop at a pre-determined depth.
slip-sinkerA lead, zinc or steel weight with a hole through the center that allows it to slide freely up and down the fishing line.
slotA fishing size limit where the angler may keep fish shorter than a minimum length but longer than an upper length limit.
Slot limitFishing regulation which requires release of fish within a listed size range (or slot).
SloughA long, narrow stretch of water such as a small stream or feeder tributary off a lake or river.
Slow PlayTo play a strong hand weakly so more players will stay in the pot.
slow roll or slow rollingA spinnerbait presentation in which the lure is retrieved slowly through and over cover and objects. A trailer bait is often on the hook.
slush baitA top-water plug with flat or pointed head.
Small BlindThe smaller of two blind bets typically used in a hold'em game. Normally, the small blind is one-third to two-thirds of a first round bet.
Small PetsAn animal following the player around. While this does not directly influence the player or monsters, it is cool to have around, especially the rare ones.
smallmouth bassA black bass, primarily bronze in color, whose jaw does not extend beyond the eye and is found in clear rivers and lakes.
SmoltLife stage of anadromous fish; sub-adult salmon or steelhead ready to begin journey to ocean.
SmoltificationProcess of physical changes anadromous fish must go through which allows them to adapt to salt water environments.
Smooth CallTo call. Smooth call often implies slow playing a strong hand. Example: "I flopped the nut flush but just smooth called when the guy in front of me bet -…
snaggingA method of catching fish by jerking an unbaited hook through the water. In Arizona, snagging is not legal except for carp.
SnareRefers to spells and abilities that slow down or completely stop a target's movement.
soft bottomRiver or lake bottoms which are comprised of soft material, such as silt, mud, or muck.
Soft HandA hand in which an ace can be counted as an 11 or as a 1 without the hand being considered a bust.
sonarAn acronym derived from the expression "sound navigation and ranging." Refers to the method or equipment for determining by underwater sound techniques…
SpamUnelicited emails in large quantities; rapidly repeated scrolling text.
SpawnThe location or process of monsters (or items) appearing when they are created in the world.
SpawningReproductive activity of fish; the act of releasing eggs into the water by female fish for fertilization by male fish.
SpawnsThe location or process of monsters appearing when they are created in the world.
SpeciesOrganisms in the same genus that have similar characteristics.
Spillway barrierA barrier to block the entry or escape of all fish through the spillway during periods of overflow.
spin-casting, spin-castSometimes called American spinning, or closed face spinning. Uses a fixes spool enclosed in a nose cone so the line leaving the reel's nose cone comes out…
spincasterA manner of fishing employing a push-button, closed-faced spinning reel or baitcasting rod; the reel is mounted topside on the rod.
spinnerbaitAn artificial bait consisting of a leadhead and one or two rotating blades and either a straight or a safety-pin style shaft dressed with material (often…
spinningA manner of fishing employing an open-face or closed-face spinning reel and spinning rod; reel is mounted on the underside of the rod and the rod guides…
Spinning reelA fixed spool reel, generally referring to open-faces spinning.
Splash 'n' GoA quick pit stop that involves nothing more than refueling the race car with the amount of fuel necessary to finish the race,
Split BetA single bet that one of two particular numbers will hit on the next spin.
Split HandSplit the initial two-card hand into two and play them separately - allowed only when the two first cards are of equal value.
Split PotA pot that is shared by two or more players because they have equivalent hands.
Split shot, split-shottingA style of finesse fishing employing a split shot weight up the line typically 6 to 18 inches above a small artificial worm, lizard, crawfish or grub…
Split Two PairA two pair hand in which one of each of your cards' ranks appears on the board as well. Example: you have T9, the flop is T-9-5, you have a split two pair.
SpoilerA metal blade attached to the rear deck lid of the car. It helps restrict airflow over the rear of the car, providing downforce and traction.
SponsorAn individual or business establishment that financially supports a race driver, team, race or series of races in return for advertising and marketing…
spookAlarming a fish, such as making too much noise, movement or casting a shadow so fish become "spooked."
SpookingThe act of standing behind the dealer to peak at the hole card and then secretly convey the information to a partner player sitting at the table.
SportingShowing good sportsmanship and ethics in pursuit of game fish.
SpreadIn the most general sense, a spread is the difference between two similar measures.
Spread-limitA betting structure in which a player may bet any amount in a range on every betting round.
StaggerThe difference in size between the tires on the left and right side of a car. Because of a tire's makeup, slight variations in circumference result.
stainedA discoloration of the water usually occurring after a heavy rain or significant runoff.
StandTo decline additional cards and keep your existing total.
Stand or StayNot requiring any more cards, to refrain from taking another card.
Standard deviationStandard deviation is a statistical measurement of how far a variable quantity, such as the price of a stock, moves above or below its average value.
Standing HandIn blackjack, meaning a hand which hard-totals to 17 or more, which is very likely to bust if one more card is called and therefore the player is expected…
stick baitA slender plug or topwater lure that is given action by the angler manipulating the rod and reel, sometimes making the bait go back-and-forth to resemble…
StickersSlang term for new tires. The name is derived from the manufacturer's stickers that are affixed to each new tire's contact surface.
stickupsTips of trees and brush that "stick up" from the water and provide structure, primarily for bass fishing.
Stiff HandHard hands that total between 12 and 16. Stiff hand are likely to bust when drawn to.