Black Jack is one of the most popular casino table games in the world and made even more popular by the movie 21. If you want to be a good black jack player and win like the best card counters in the world, you better start off with learning some Black Jack lingo! Lucky Lady Games has put together an exclusive Black Jack Glossary just for you:
Ace neutralised | A system that counts the aces as zero increase play efficiency. |
Ace reckoned | A system that includes aces into its primary count to simplify betting. |
Action | The total bet amount on the table. Eg. 5 bets of $20 = $100 of action |
Anchor | The seat farthest to the left of the player, dealt last and plays last. Sometimes called third base. |
Back-counting | Counting the cards without actually playing. Back counting is usually done with intent of signalling a Big Player. |
backed off | Semi-barred from premise, without being fully trespassed. |
balance count | A card counting system where the respective card count values balances to zero |
bankroll | Total amount of funds you have for gambling |
barred | Permanently banned from playing at a casino |
basic strategy | Following a computer generated optimal strategy for playing black-jack without counting cards. AKA zero-sum strategy. |
bet | A players wager on a hand. |
bet sizing | How much to optimally bet in relation to increasing player advantage. |
bet spread | The ratio between a players minimum and maximum bet ranges. |
big player | The biggest bettor on a blackjack team |
black book | A book of individuals who are barred from entering casinos due to cheating or other misdeameanors. |
black jack | A 2 card hand that contains an Ace and a 10-value card which totals 21. |
blacks | Chips of $100 denominations are commonly colored black. |
break | The value sum of the cards on a hand equate to over 21. Same as Bust. |
burn card | In blackjack, a single card is removed from play before the dealer begins dealing after a shuffle. |
bust | The value sum of the cards on a hand equate to over 21. Same as Break. |
bust card | The single card that brings a hand total to over 21. |
buy-in | The exchange of cash for chips at the tables |
card counting | Using any system to keep track of the cards played that will give players an edge over the house. |
cashiers cage | The transaction area of the casino where chips are cashed out for money |
chips | Tokens that respresent equal monetary value used for making wagers and betting |
chip tray | A rack that holds multiple chips |
comps | Complementry room, food or beverages for player loyalty |
counter | A player who keeps track of cards played |
cut card | A blank plastic card used to cut the cards after the shuffle |
dealer | A casino employee who deals cards |
double down | Doubling of any original bet to receive only one additional card. |
drawing the paint | Receiving a ten-valued card when hitting |
eighty-six | A barring term commonly used to bar an individual from a casino |
ev | A players expected value. Expressed in terms of win/loss |
exposed | Turning over of a card and exposing it’s value |
face cards | Any ten-valued card with a picture – jack, queen, king |
first base | The seat at the farthest right of the table, also the player who is dealt and must act first |
five-card charlie | In some variations, when a player gets 5 cards without busting, they automatically win the hand. |
flat bet | Same amount betting from hand to hand regardless of the play of cards |
free roll | A situation where there is no risk financially |
front loading | Sneak peek of a dealers card while they tuck it in under their upcard |
hard total | A situation where no ace has a value of 11. |
head-on or heads-up | Player along against the dealer |
heat | When a card counter is suspected and his play is highly scrutinized |
hi-lo | The most basic, simple and popular for of card counting |
hit | A request for another card from the dealer |
hole card | The dealer’s card that remains face down until all other players have acted |
hold-card play | A player advantage situation where sloppy dealers accidentally reveal their hole card |
host | Someone who caters to high-limit players |
illustrious 18 | The 18 most important matrix numbers for varying play from basic blackjack strategy |
insurance | If a dealer is showing an Ace up, insurance may be given to the player if he thinks the dealer may have a blackjack |
junket | Short gamblings trips subsidized by the casinos |
kelly system betting | A method for optimal betting |
loaded deck | A deck that has extra cards placed or removed to skew standard card proportions |
marker | An IOU a player may sign in exchange for playing chips |
martingale system | A method of betting where you double your bet after each loss |
Matrix | A math chart of index numbers showing correct amount to deviate from basic strategy |
mechanic | An individual who manipulates cards. A cheat. |
multi-level count | Any card counting system where count values are higher than plus or minus one |
multi-parameter system | A card counting system that keeps track of at least two separate counts, usually a main and a side count of aces |
natural | A black jhack consisting of 2 cards containing an Ace and a 10-value card |
nickles | Five dollar denomination casino chips |
pack | The card deck, or any undealt portions |
paint | Any picture card, Jack, Queen, King |
pair | Any two cards of the same value |
pat hand | A hand with a value of 17 or greater |
pays the table | When everyone at the table is a winner. Usually when the dealer goes bust. |
peek | Taking a look at a card |
penetration | How deeply the cards are dealt before a reshuffle |
pit boss | A supervisor who overlooks the table games |
positive count | When the deck contains more high cards than low cards, which will favor the players rather than the house |
perferntial shuffling | When a dealer shuffles away positive counts |
press | When players run good or are on a hot streak, players may increase (press) their bets |
progressive betting system | Changing bet amounts to try to gain an edge over the house without card counting |
push | When a player and the dealer has a the same hand value. In some house games, the dealer may win the tie. |
quarters | $25 denomination casino chips |
rich | A rich deck is rich in certain values of cars if there is a larger than normal percentage of certain cards present |
running count | Overall count, undjusted to remaining decks |
reds | $5 casino chips are generally red |
round | One full hand of play for everyone at the table completed |
ROR – Risk or Ruin | The mathematical risk of your entire bankroll |
Shift | Casinos are generally opened 24/7 with 3 employee shifts |
Shill | A casino employee/prop who plays in order to simulate interest and betting |
Shiner | A reflective device used to glimpse the dealers hole card. Used in blackjack cheating. |
shoe | The card holder for multiple decks of cards |
shuffle tracking | Following cards through the shuffle process to determine their approximate location in the next shoe |
silver | One dollar chips. May be whites |
six-deck shoe | Most blackjack table games these days are dealt with a six-deck shoe |
snapper | Slang for a blackjack when the first two cards consist of an Ace and a ten |
soft hand | Any blackjack hand that consists of an Ace as the value of 11 |
soft total | Any hand value which counts the Ace as the value of 11 |
split | Players may split any 2 equal-value cards by matching their orignal bet and playing each hand separately |
spooking | To spy the dealers hole card away from the table |
spotter | A team mate who counts cards for a Big Player |
stand | When a player no longer wants anymore cards from the dealer |
steaming | When a player bets more than normal to chase losses |
stiff | A hard hand totally 12 to 16 |
suits | Casino executives and management |
surrender | An option to forfeit half your bet by throwing away your hand |
tc – True count | True Count (RC/remaining decks). The number is derived when RC is divided by the number of remaining decks. |
Third base | The seat farthest to the left of the player, dealt last and plays last. Sometimes called the anchor. |
Tie | Aka Push, Stand-off. Both player and dealer have the same hand – player keeps bet. |
toke | A tip given directly to or bet for the dealer |
unbalanced count | Any counting system in which the card |
up card | The dealer card that is showing |
wonging | playing bets only during positive counts – named after Standford Wong |
w2-g | A tax form given out to casino winners in the United States for any amount over $1200 |
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