# Wong

/ˈwɔŋ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wong
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

to watch a game of blackjack to see which cards have been played before you start betting. You do this to wait for a moment when you have a better chance of winning.

For teachers: to observe a blackjack game without playing, entering only when the deck composition favors the player. Derived from the pseudonym of professional gambler Stanford Wong.

## Examples

- He prefers to wong into a game rather than play every hand.
- Professional players often wong to avoid betting during unfavorable counts, though many casinos now have rules against mid-shoe entry.
- While wonging significantly reduces the house edge by ensuring the player only participates in high-count situations, it also makes the individual highly conspicuous to casino security personnel.

## Usage notes

- The verb is intransitive when describing the general strategy, but can be used with 'in' or 'into' to describe entering a specific game.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.