Glossary of Blackjack Terms and Slangs

Curious about the meaning of common blackjack terms? Our blackjack glossary is here to help! Whether you're a beginner learning the lingo or an experienced player looking to refine your knowledge, this guide covers essential terminology, from basic gameplay to advanced strategies.

8

86’d – A slang term used when a player is kicked out of a casino, usually because the staff suspects they’re using advanced tactics to gain an edge (like card counting). If you’re 86’d, you’re no longer welcome to play there.

A

Ace – An Ace in blackjack can be counted as either 1 or 11, depending on what helps your hand the most.

Ace Poor – This means there are fewer Aces left in the deck, which lowers your chances of getting a natural blackjack.

Ace Rich – A deck with more Aces than usual still in play, making it more likely you’ll hit blackjack.

Action – The total amount of money being bet. It could mean how much a player is wagering or just how much betting is happening in general.

Advantage – The edge one side has over the other. Usually, the casino has it, but with the right strategy, a player can shift the odds in their favor.

Advantage Player – Someone who uses skill, math, or strategy (like card counting) to gain a long-term edge over the house.

Anchor / Anchorman – The last player to act before the dealer, sitting at the far end of the table. Their decisions can affect the flow of the game.

B

Back Counting – Watching a blackjack table without playing, just to keep track of the card count. When the count is in your favor, you jump in and start betting. Often called “wonging.”

Back Off – When a casino politely tells you to stop playing blackjack. You’re not kicked out, but you’re not welcome at the blackjack tables anymore—usually because they suspect you’re a card counter.

Balanced Count – A card counting system where if you count through a full deck, your final number ends up at zero. Hi-Lo is a common example.

Bankroll – The total amount of money you’ve set aside specifically for playing blackjack (or any casino game). It’s what you’re comfortable risking.

Barred – If you’re barred, you’re completely banned from playing blackjack at a particular casino. This is more serious than being backed off.

Basic Strategy – The best way to play each hand based on math, not guessing. It tells you when to hit, stand, double, or split depending on your hand and the dealer’s card.

Bet Sizing – Changing the size of your bet depending on the situation. Card counters use this to bet more when the odds are in their favor and less when they’re not.

Bet Spread – The difference between your smallest and biggest bet during a session. For example, if you bet $10 sometimes and $100 other times, your bet spread is 1 to 10.

Big Player – Someone on a card counting team who only jumps in when the count is good and makes large bets. Other players (called spotters) give them the signal when it’s time.

Black Book – A list of players who are banned from all casinos in Nevada (and sometimes elsewhere). Being on this list means you’re not welcome due to suspected cheating or advantage play.

Black Chip – A $100 casino chip.

Blackjack (Game) – The most popular card game in casinos, also known as “21.” The goal is to beat the dealer without going over 21.

Box – The rectangle on the blackjack table where you place your bet.

Brown/Chocolate Chip – A $5,000 casino chip.

Burn Card – The first card removed from a new deck after shuffling. It’s discarded (face down) to help prevent cheating.

Bust – When your hand goes over 21. If this happens, you lose automatically.

Bust Card – The card that pushes your total over 21.

C

Camouflage – Tricks used by skilled players, like card counters, to blend in and not look suspicious to the casino. This could mean acting like a casual gambler, chatting a lot, or placing random bets to avoid attention.

Carnival Games – Fun, flashy casino games like Spanish 21 or Caribbean Stud. They’re often entertaining but come with higher house edges, meaning worse odds for the player.

Chip Down – Lowering your bet from the previous round. Players might do this when the odds aren’t looking good.

Chip Up – Increasing your bet, usually when you feel confident or have the advantage.

Cold Deck – A term for a deck of cards that seems to be full of bad luck, especially when it consistently gives poor hands to players.

Colour Up – Swapping smaller-value chips for larger ones, usually when you’re ready to leave the table or want a cleaner stack.

Count / Counting Cards – A method of tracking which cards have already been played to figure out the odds of getting good cards next. It’s not illegal, but casinos don’t like it and may ask card counters to stop playing.

CSM (Continuous Shuffling Machine) – A machine that shuffles cards nonstop during the game, making it almost impossible to count cards or predict what’s coming next.

Cut Card – A brightly colored plastic card the dealer uses to cut the deck after shuffling. It tells the dealer when it’s time to reshuffle during the game.

CVCX – A computer program that card counters use to test their strategies. It helps simulate different scenarios and calculates things like risk and expected profits.

D

D9 - A rule where the player can double down only on hands totaling 9.

DA2 - Double on Any Two cards, a rule that allows players to double down regardless of their card values.

DAS (Double After Split) - A rule allowing players to double down after splitting a pair.

Dealer - The casino employee who deals the cards and manages the game.

Deck Penetration - The percentage of cards dealt from the shoe before a reshuffle.

Discards - Cards that have been played and are no longer in the deck.

Deviations - Departures from basic strategy, typically based on card counting.

DOA (Double on Any) - A rule that permits doubling down on any initial two-card hand.

Double Down - A move where the player doubles their initial bet and receives one additional card.

Double Exposure - A blackjack variant where both of the dealer’s cards are dealt face-up.

E

Early Surrender – A blackjack rule that lets you fold your hand and get back half your bet before the dealer checks for blackjack. It’s a great way to cut your losses early if the odds look really bad.

Entry-Level Card Counting System – A simple method for learning how to count cards, perfect for beginners. A popular one is the Hi-Lo system, where you add or subtract points based on the cards you see to estimate how “hot” the deck is.

EV (Expected Value) – This is a long-term average of how much you’ll win or lose per bet. If a move has a positive EV, it means you’re expected to profit over time. Negative EV means you’ll likely lose money in the long run.

Even Money – A payout of 1:1. In blackjack, if you have a blackjack and the dealer shows an Ace, you might be offered “even money” instead of risking a push if the dealer also has 21.

F

Face Cards – These are the King, Queen, and Jack—cards with faces on them. In blackjack, they’re all worth 10 points each.

First Base – The seat immediately to the dealer’s left. This player gets the first card dealt in each round, which is why it’s called "first base."

Five-Card Charlie – A rare rule in some blackjack games: if you draw five cards without busting (going over 21), you automatically win—no matter what the dealer has.

Flat Betting – Betting the same amount every hand, no matter if you’re winning or losing. It’s simple, consistent, and doesn’t involve changing your bet size based on the game situation.

H

Hand – The cards you’re dealt in a round of blackjack. You use this hand to try to get as close to 21 as possible without going over.

Hand Spreading – Playing more than one hand at the same time. You place separate bets for each hand and play them individually.

Half-Shoe – A point in the game when about half the deck (or shoe) has been dealt. It’s often mentioned in card counting to describe how deep into the shoe the game is.

Hard Hand – A hand with no Ace, or one where the Ace has to count as 1 (because using it as 11 would make you go over 21).

Hard Total – The total value of your hand when you don’t have an Ace—or your Ace counts as 1. It’s called “hard” because there’s no flexibility.

Heads Up – A game with just one player facing the dealer. It’s one-on-one blackjack.

High Roller – Someone who bets big. High rollers often play at special tables with higher limits and special perks.

Hi-Lo Counting – A simple and popular card-counting system where you track cards by assigning values: +1 to low cards, -1 to high cards, and 0 to the rest. It helps estimate how many high cards are left in the deck.

Hit – Ask the dealer for another card. You “hit” when you think your total is too low and you want to get closer to 21.

Hole Card – The dealer’s hidden card that stays face down until the players finish their turns. It’s paired with the face-up card to form the dealer’s hand.

Hot Deck – A deck that’s rich in high cards like 10s and Aces, which gives the player better odds—especially if you’re counting cards.

House Edge – The built-in advantage the casino has over the player. It’s a small percentage that ensures the casino wins over the long run.

I

Insurance Bet - A side bet offered when the dealer’s upcard is an Ace, allowing the player to wager that the dealer has a blackjack. The bet typically pays 2:1, but is generally considered a poor play.

K

Kelly Betting – A smart betting system where you adjust the size of your bets based on how much of an edge you think you have. If the odds are in your favor, you bet more. If they’re not great, you bet less. It helps you grow your bankroll steadily without taking big risks.

Knock Out Count (KO Count) – A beginner-friendly card counting system that’s easier than others because you don’t need to keep track of how many decks are in play. You just follow a simple count to tell when the deck is more likely to give you strong cards.

L

Late Surrender (LS) – A blackjack rule that lets you fold your hand and get back half your bet, but only after the dealer checks for blackjack. It’s a way to cut your losses when your chances of winning are low.

Loaded Deck – A deck that’s been secretly changed or stacked to benefit one side, usually to cheat. This is illegal and never happens in fair, licensed casinos.

M

Martingale System - A betting strategy where a player doubles their bet after every loss in hopes of recovering previous losses with a single win. It’s considered high risk due to its potential for large losses.

Money Management - A strategic approach to managing a player's bankroll by controlling the amount wagered to minimize losses and maximize profits over time.

Monkey - A slang term in blackjack used to refer to a face card (Jack, Queen, King) or a 10.

Multi-deck - Refers to a blackjack game using multiple decks of cards, typically ranging from 4 to 8 decks.

MSE (Mean Squared Error) - In blackjack, this term can be used in the context of statistical analysis or simulations to measure the accuracy of predictions related to game outcomes or strategies.

N

Natural Blackjack / Natural – When your first two cards are an Ace and a 10-value card (10, Jack, Queen, or King), adding up to 21. It usually means you win instantly—unless the dealer also has one, then it’s a tie (called a push).

NDAS (No Double After Split) – A blackjack rule that says you can’t double down after splitting a pair. This limits your options a bit and favors the casino.

Negative Count – In card counting, this means there are more small cards left in the deck than high ones. That’s bad news for the player and usually a sign to bet less or leave the table.

NRSA (No Re-Splitting Aces) – A rule that stops you from splitting Aces more than once. If you get another Ace after splitting, you can’t split again—you have to play the hand as it is.

P

Paint – Any face card: Jack, Queen, or King. They're called "paint" because of their detailed pictures.

Pair – Two cards of the same value, like two 7s or two Kings. You can often split them into two hands if the rules allow.

Pat Hand – A solid hand totaling 17 or more. Most players don’t hit because they’re likely to bust.

Perfect Play – Playing every hand in the smartest way possible using math and strategy to lower the casino’s edge. Often based on basic strategy charts or card counting.

Pit – The section of a casino where table games (like blackjack) happen. It’s watched over by a pit boss to keep things running smoothly.

Ploppy – A nickname for someone who plays blackjack without strategy, often betting randomly and making poor decisions. Not meant to be rude—just casino slang!

Poor (Shoe or Deck) – A deck that isn’t ideal for the player—usually because it has fewer Aces and 10s, which lowers your chances of getting strong hands like blackjack.

Positive Count – In card counting, this means the remaining deck has more high-value cards. That’s a good sign for the player, as it improves your chances of getting strong hands and the dealer busting.

Preferential Shuffle – When the dealer decides to shuffle earlier than usual to mess with a card counter’s edge. Casinos do this if they think someone’s counting.

Progressive Betting – A betting system where you raise your bet after a win, hoping to ride a winning streak and boost your profits.

Push – A tie between you and the dealer. Nobody wins or loses, and you get your original bet back.

R

Re-Splits – If you split a pair (like two 8s), and one of the new hands gets another 8, you can split again. This creates more hands to play, giving you extra chances to win—if the casino allows it.

Rich (Deck or Shoe) – A deck filled with more high cards like 10s, face cards, and Aces. That’s great for players because it increases the chances of hitting blackjack or seeing the dealer bust.

Risk of Ruin (RoR) – This is the chance that you’ll lose your whole bankroll while playing. The higher the risk, the more likely you’ll go broke. Good bankroll management helps keep this risk low.

RSA (Re-Splitting Aces) – Some casinos let you split Aces more than once if you get another Ace after the first split. It gives you more shots at strong hands like 21.

Running Count – In card counting, this is the ongoing total you keep in your head as cards are dealt. You add or subtract points depending on the card values, helping you know when the deck favors the player.

S

Shoe - A device that holds multiple decks of cards, from which the dealer deals cards in games like blackjack.

Side Bet - An additional bet placed alongside the main game, offering extra chances to win based on specific card combinations.

Single Deck - A blackjack game played with only one deck of cards, which usually has a lower house edge.

Sit and Go - A poker-style tournament format that begins when enough players are seated, not at a scheduled time.

Soft Double - Doubling down on a soft hand, meaning a hand with an Ace counted as 11.

Soft Hand - A hand that contains an Ace counted as 11. For example, an Ace and a 6 make a soft 17.

Soft Total - The total of a hand with an Ace counted as 11, giving the hand flexibility since the Ace can be worth either 1 or 11.

Split Play - When a player splits two identical cards into two separate hands, playing them independently.

Stand - To keep your current hand without taking any more cards.

Stand 17 - A rule where the dealer must stand on any total of 17, including soft 17.

Standing Hand - A hand that does not need to be hit, usually because it has a strong total (like 17 or higher).

Stand-Off - When the dealer and player have the same hand total, resulting in a push where the player's bet is returned.

Stiff - A weak hand that is likely to bust if hit, typically a total of 12-16.

Surrender - A player forfeits half their bet and ends the hand early, a strategy used when the player's hand has a low chance of winning.

T

Third Base – This is the last seat to act at the blackjack table, sitting to the dealer’s right. Since this player goes last before the dealer plays their hand, it’s often called the “hot seat” because their decisions can affect the outcome of the game.

Toke – A casual term for a tip given to the dealer. If you win a hand and want to show appreciation, you can leave a small chip as a toke.

True Count – A card counting term. It’s the running count adjusted for how many decks are left in play. This makes your count more accurate and helps you know when to bet big or small.

U

Unbalanced Card-Counting System – A type of card counting where the total count doesn't end at zero after all cards are dealt. This makes it easier to use since you don’t have to adjust for how many decks are left. A common example is the Knock-Out (KO) system.

Up Card – The dealer’s face-up card that everyone at the table can see. It helps players decide how to play their hand based on what the dealer might be holding.

Variance – The natural ups and downs in your results. Even if you play perfectly, you can still have winning streaks or losing streaks. It’s just part of the game.

W

Whale – A gambler who bets huge amounts of money at the casino. Casinos love whales and often treat them like VIPs with free rooms, meals, and other perks—even if they’re losing big.

Win Rate – This is how much money you expect to win (or lose) over time. It’s usually measured per hour or per 100 hands. A positive win rate means you're making money, a negative one means you're losing.

Wonging – A smart card-counting move where you don’t jump into the game right away. Instead, you watch from the sidelines and only join when the count is in your favor. It's named after expert Stanford Wong.

Z

Zen Count – An advanced card counting method used in blackjack to keep track of which cards have been played. It’s a balanced system, meaning if you count every card in the deck, the total ends at zero. It’s more complex than beginner systems but gives more accurate information for serious players.