Street
capper
What does capper mean?
A capper is a confederate who poses as an ordinary customer or winner to encourage marks to gamble or buy, working with crooked operators.
"The capper won a big hand early to convince the crowd the game was straight."
Origin
American slang, 19th century; from 'cap,' to top or better.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'capper'?
A capper is a shill or decoy who pretends to be an ordinary customer or a lucky winner to lure real victims into a rigged game or crooked sale.
Where does 'capper' come from?
It is 19th-century American slang, from 'cap,' meaning to top or better, as the capper 'tops' the setup to make it convincing.
Is a capper the same as a shill?
Yes, they are essentially the same role, a confederate who fakes being a genuine participant to build trust and draw in marks.
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