Definition

1. Noun:

   • The last two digits of the first prize (in the National lottery): In the context of the Vietnamese national lottery, "số đề" specifically refers to the final two numbers of the winning first-prize ticket. It is the basis for a common, informal form of gambling.

2. Noun (in common usage):

   • The illegal lottery / numbers game: By extension, "số đề" refers to the widespread underground betting game where participants wager money on predicting these last two digits (from 00 to 99). This activity is separate from the official state lottery.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hôm nay số đề là 78. (Today's winning last two digits are 78.)
  • Anh ta hay đánh bạc vào số đề. (He often gambles on the numbers game.)
  • Cảnh sát đang đột kích một điểm ghi số đề. (The police are raiding an illegal numbers betting den.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used within the context of this specific form of gambling. The activity is often associated with organized crime and is considered illegal.

Variants and Related Words

• Đánh đề / Chơi đề (v): to play/bet on the numbers game ("số đề").

  • Ông ấy nghiện đánh đề. (He is addicted to playing the numbers game.)

• Ghi đề (v): to take bets for the numbers game (acting as a bookie).

  • Bọn tội phạm kiếm tiền từ việc ghi đề. (The criminals make money from taking numbers bets.)

• Lô đề (n): a common compound term referring to the broader system of illegal lottery games, which may include betting on more than just the last two digits.

  • Trò lô đề đang bị chính quyền đàn áp mạnh. (The illegal lottery game is being heavily suppressed by the authorities.)

Synonyms

• Illegal numbers game: An unlicensed gambling activity based on predicting numbers.
• Underground lottery: A lottery operated outside of government sanction.

Related Concepts

• Xổ số (n): The legal, state-run lottery. "Số đề" is an illicit offshoot betting on the results of this official lottery.

  • Xổ số kiến thiết là hợp pháp. (The construction lottery is legal.)

• Bao lô: A form of betting within the numbers game where a player covers all possible combinations of a number.

1. Last two numbers of the first prize (in the National lottery)
   • Chơi số đề
     To bet on the last two numbers of the first prize