Action

Sum of money a player “puts into action” or bets in a playing session. Also refers to when the players are given the opportunity to ‘double down’ or ‘split’ their hands

Advantage

Rate of win or loss expected by the player usually in the form of a percentage of total money bet.

Anchor

The last player to take action at a table before dealers play their cards.

Basic Strategy

The complete set of optimal plays for any hand. This is determined by computer simulation and produces slight variation under different rule conditions and of players that can possibly participate in the game. Poker and Slots. Numbers of decks. Memorized prior to using the card counting strategy. Used by card counters and non-counters.

Blackjack

A card game where players try to beat the dealer by getting closest to 21 without going over. Considered to be one of the more popular table games at a casino. Holding a natural 21 consisting of an Ace and a Ten, Jack, Queen or King. When a player gets Black Jack the house pays 3 to 2, unless the dealer has similar hand.     

Black Jack Hand

Holding a natural 21 consisting of an Ace and a Ten, Jack, Queen or King. When a player gets Black Jack the house pays 3 to 2, unless the dealer has similar hand

Break/Bust

When a card is taken and the new card causes the players’ or dealers’ total hand to exceed 21.

Burn Card(s)

The following is done to disable card counters. The first card is placed in the discard tray or placed under the deck face up after the deck is cut and before cards are dealt. This is done at the start of every new shoe (see Shoe) or when dealers are replaced.

Burn Joint

Slang term for casino with rules that are almost impossible to beat

Capping

A form of cheating whereby the player places extra chips on top of a bet stack after dealing has begun. Video surveillance effectively detects this.

Card Counting

A system that improves player’s edge by giving weights or values to each card and totaling these values as new cards are turned face up. The totals of these values determine the play of the counter.

Cut Card

A plastic card used to cut the cards after having been shuffled by the dealer.

Double Down

To double the original bet and be dealt one more card. Often permitted on the player’s first two cards only. Some casinos allow doubling after splitting a pair. Nevada casinos generally permit doubling only with a two-card total of 10 or 11.

Double Down (For Less)

Double down for less than the original bet. When doubling is permitted, a player may increase doubling bet amount up to, but not more than the original bet. Some casinos do not permit this.

Early Surrender

Player may give up or surrender after receiving first two cards but before dealers check for an Ace as their down card. If surrendered, only 50% of bet is lost, instead of entire sum. Excellent method for controlling player losses and therefore not allowed in most casinos.

Even Money

This occurs when a player has a natural Blackjack and the dealer is showing an Ace. Player is given the option of taking 1 to 1 win instead of the normal 3 to 2 payout for Black Jack. It is considered a form of insurance against the dealer’s Black Jack.

Face Card

Any 10, Jack, Queen or King card that has a value of ten.

Face Up/Face Down Game

Two distinct dealing styles. Face Up games, used to prevent cheating, entail the cards being dealt up and are not touched by player. Faces Down games have the player’s first card facing up and the second down. Most games are Face Up games

First Base

Generally refers to the player who sits in the first spot to the left of the dealer.

Flat Bet

Betting the same amount with each hand

Hard Hand

Any hand that does not require additional cards to be above 17 in total

Head On/Heads Up

Table with only one player and a dealer

Hit

Taking a new card for the dealer or player’s hand

Hole Card

Always dealt face down and has an assumed value of ten. Usually it is the first card taken by dealer but in some casinos dealers will deal the first card up and their second card is hidden.

Hot Deck

Situation favourable for the player. Usually when the dealers are consistently busting their hands.

Even Money

A payoff of 1-1. Sometimes taken by a player when dealer is showing an Ace and the player has Blackjack. It is considered a type of insurance bet.

Insurance

Side bet offered when dealer reveals Ace as up card. Player has the choice to bet up to 50% of the original bet. The insurance bet pays off at 2 to 1, which gives the player back their original wager provided they bet the maximum of 50%.

Late Surrender

Permitted when dealer does not have a natural. Player loses 50% of the bet and does not play the remaining hand.  If the dealer has a natural, player loses entire bet.

Martingale System

An old roulette system often used in Back Jack. A player doubles his/her bet after each loss until a win is obtained or player runs out of money

Mechanic

Slang for dealer who cheats. Accomplished often by holding top card back for later use. Sometimes referred to as dealing seconds, where the dealer will deal the card that is not the top card.

Monkey

Slang for any card value at ten.

Natural

Hand totaling 21 within the first two cards.

Profit Formula

Means of calculating expected winnings. Number of hands played/hour multiplied by average bet multiplied by hours played multiplied by gain = expected winnings.

Push

Also known as tie, resulting in no money moving between dealer and player. Occurs when player’s hand equals dealer’s, regardless of total.

Rated

Players are rated on the level of play per hand. It is usually determined by the amount of money wagered. It entitles players to various free items such as meals, rooms etc.

Shoe

The start of a new round of play when all cards to be used are present.

Soft Hand

Any hand containing an Ace valued at 1 or 11 plus one or more cards. ‘Soft’ implies that the value can be altered. For example an Ace and a 6 could be 7 or 17, as could a 2, a 4 and an Ace. It is always possible to draw one card to a soft hand without busting.

Split Hand

Two autonomous hands can be created when one hand begins with two cards sharing the same value. A new bet is made on the second hand and played separately.

Spooking

Positioning oneself behind the dealer to view the hole card and then passing on the information to a co-conspirator at the table. It is considered a form of cheating and anyone caught could be charged. Any player may use hole card information if gained due to dealer error.

Spread

Placing two or more bets before cards are dealt.

Stand

Not drawing any more cards.

Stiff Hand

Hand with little winning potential (total of 12-16) regardless of strategy

Surrender

Allowing a player to give back his/her first two cards for a refund of 50% of the original bet. Less costly than playing full value of hand and is therefore not often permitted in casinos.

Tell Play

Detecting body language and expressions in the deal that give away his/her hand. Usually detectable when dealer checks for the presence of an Ace or Ten card that would give him or her Blackjack.

Up Card

Refers to one of the dealer’s first two cards that show its value to players.