Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To keep the bank / to be the banker: In gambling, especially in traditional Vietnamese games, this phrase means to act as the house or the entity that holds the money against which all other players bet. The "cái" (banker) has a distinct role, often setting the rules and odds for a round.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Trong trò xóc đĩa, ai muốn làm cái phải có nhiều tiền. (In the dice shaking game, whoever wants to be the banker must have a lot of money.)
  • Anh ta làm cái suốt buổi tối và thua rất nhiều. (He kept the bank all evening and lost a lot.)

Advanced Usage

• The role of "làm cái" often implies greater financial risk and potential reward compared to other players ("làm con"). It is a central concept in games like "bài cào" (three-card poker) or "xóc đĩa".

Variants and Related Words

• Nhà cái (n): The gambling house, the casino, or the established banker in a game.
  • Nhà cái luôn có lợi thế về xác suất. (The house always has a statistical advantage.)
• Đánh cái (v): To bet against the banker.
  • Hầu hết người chơi đều thích đánh cái hơn là làm cái. (Most players prefer to bet against the bank rather than be the banker.)

Synonyms

• To bank: To act as the banker in a game.
• To hold the bank: To be responsible for the bank's funds during gambling.

Related Idioms

• Làm cái ăn con: A gambling idiom describing the dynamic where the banker ("cái") wins from the regular players ("con").
  • Trong trò này, luật chơi được thiết kế cho kiểu làm cái ăn con. (In this game, the rules are designed for the banker-to-player winning dynamic.)

1. Keep the bank, be the banker (at a gambling table)