Casino & Gambling

1. Ng ngar er ker a casino?

   Where is the casino?

   Usage

   Used to ask for directions to the casino

   Grammar Note

   casino borrowed from English. "Ng ngar er ker a ..." is the stock "where is ...?" pattern. tela means "how many", so "tela el beluu" does not mean "where"

2. Ng tela a minimum bet er tia el table?

   What is the minimum bet at this table?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the minimum bet at a table

   Grammar Note

   minimum bet and table borrowed from English. tela = what/how much

3. Ng ngar er ker a chips?

   How do I buy chips?

   Usage

   Used to ask how to purchase casino chips

   Grammar Note

   chips borrowed from English. "Ng ngar er ker a ..." is the stock "where is ...?" pattern, asking where the chips are (where to get them). tela means "how many", not "how"

4. Ng soak el mo er a blackjack.

   I'd like to play blackjack.

   Usage

   Used to express interest in playing blackjack

   Grammar Note

   Olab means "bring / carry" (Ak olab a ilumel el mo er a party. = "I'm bringing drinks to the party."), not "want to". A wish uses the possessive forms of sau "liking", and the subject marker is ng, not ak: Ng soak el ... = "I would like to ..." (Ng soak a rodech. = "I would like fruit."; Ng ngara soam el kliou? = "What would you like for dessert?")

5. Ng ngar er ngii a dress code?

   Is there a dress code?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the dress code at the casino

   Grammar Note

   dress code borrowed from English. "Ng ngar er ngii a ..." is the stock pattern for asking whether something exists. tela means "how many", not "what"

6. Ng ngar er ngii a VIP room?

   Is there a VIP room?

   Usage

   Used to ask about VIP rooms at the casino

   Grammar Note

   VIP room borrowed from English. ngar er ngii = there is

7. Ng soak el merukem a chips.

   I'd like to cash out my chips.

   Usage

   Used to cash out casino chips

   Grammar Note

   merukem = "to exchange (money)", here used for turning chips into cash. chips is an English loanword

8. Ng ngar er ngii a drink el tada?

   Can I get a complimentary drink?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a complimentary drink at the casino

   Grammar Note

   Tada is borrowed from Japanese "tada" and means "free of charge". "Ng ngar er ngii a ..." is the stock pattern for asking whether something exists, and "drink el tada" is "a free drink".

9. Ng tela a table limits?

   What are the table limits?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the table betting limits

   Grammar Note

   table limits borrowed from English. tela = what/how much

10. Ak mla mo merek er tia el klebesei.

    I think I've had enough for tonight.

    Usage

    Used when deciding to stop gambling for the evening

    Grammar Note

    "Ak mla mo merek" is the set phrase for "I'm finished". Klebesei means "night; tonight". "This ..." in time expressions is "er tia el ..." (the same pattern as "er tia el mlo merek el sandei" = last week).

11. Ng sebechem el mesaod a llach er ngak?

    Can you explain the rules?

    Usage

    Used by beginners to ask for an explanation of game rules

    Grammar Note

    Mesaod is the verb "separate; explain; solve", and llach is "law; commandment; rule".

12. Ng tela el klok e a casino a mo merek?

    What time does the casino close?

    Usage

    Used to ask about the casino's closing time

    Grammar Note

    "Ng tela el klok?" = "what time is it?"; note that omerael means "travel/journey", not "to close"

13. Ng ngar er ker a toilet?

    Where are the restrooms?

    Usage

    Used to ask for the location of the restroom

    Grammar Note

    toilet borrowed from English. "Ng ngar er ker a ..." is the stock "where is ...?" pattern

14. Ng ngar er ngii a slot machine?

    Do you have slot machines?

    Usage

    Used to ask if slot machines are available

    Grammar Note

    slot machine borrowed from English. ngar er ngii = there is / do you have

15. Ng ngar er ngii a poker tournament er tia el klebesei?

    Is there a poker tournament tonight?

    Usage

    Used to ask about poker tournament schedules

    Grammar Note

    "Poker tournament" is an English loan phrase. "Tonight" uses klebesei (night; tonight): "er tia el klebesei".

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