Blackjack Glossary
121 Blackjack terms & expressions
This Blackjack reference explains terms & expressions used by players and casinos around the world. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, but here you can read up on those expressions that you'll most likely encounter when playing Blackjack. You'll probably find that you can play the game knowing only a handful of the expressions listed here. But if you are interested in knowing a bit more about Blackjack and its interesting and colorful Blackjack terminology, then by all means, read on. Enjoy!
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Camouflage
A wise guy who disguises himself. Anything a skilled gambler does to conceal his/her activities from the casino. This can include placing bad bets, acting drunk, using disguises or any number of other possible ploys intended to throw the casino's scrutiny off. -
Card Counting
In Blackjack gambling, some players memorize the cards that have come out so far in order to determine which cards are most likely to come out next. Remembering played cards (usually high cards) so as to establish a conditional probability advantage on the remaining cards against the dealer. This tactic is so effective that casinos ban this type of activity. However, many card counters Camouflage themselves quite well. Also, one of the great advantages of Online Casinos is that nobody can ban you for just doing that. -
Cashier
The section in the casino that deals with all forms of real money transactions such as deposits or withdrawals. -
Casino Advantage
The odds a casino has in their favor on any particular game. -
Chance
In general, outside of gambling, chance is more commonly referred to in percentage terms. If you toss a coin then there is a 50% chance of it landing on heads and a 50% chance of it being tails. All possible outcomes in any event will add up to 100%. -
Chase
After having gambled and lost, to chase would be to continue to gamble in the hopes of wining back what you have lost (also see responsible gambling. -
Coat Tail
A player who imitates the actions of other winning players. -
Cold
A period of unsuccessful wagering. -
Comp Points
Comp points are points you earn every time you wager. These points can be redeemed for real money in the Cashier section. Casinos employ this strategy to entice players to keep gambling. The amount of cash given per wager often depends on the selected game and is usually very small. A casino might offer three comp points for each $10 wagered on slots and one comp point for each $10 wagered on blackjack. The casino might give $1 for each 100 comp points. -
Comps
Comps are courtesies given by casinos. These are either complimentary gifts given to players orcomp-points that are given to players when they play more at that casino. In brick and mortar Casinos comps are complimentary gifts given by the casino to entice players to gamble. Typical comps include free hotel room, meals and beverages. Although online casinos can not offer discounted hospitality costs and flights like regular casinos do, they have unique comps of their own. For example, Online Casinos entice newcomers by rewarding them with free money into their accounts by offering them all kinds of bonuses or by granting players comp points. -
Compulsive Gambling
Compulsive gambling or pathological gambling is a psychological disorder characterized by a persistent inability to resist the impulse to gamble. The disorder is progressive and usually affects one's personal, social, and work life at some point. It may lead to bankruptcy or criminal activity to get more money. Click here to see questions that can help individuals to decide if he or she is a compulsive gambler and wants to stop gambling. -
Counting Cards
Blackjack card counting refers to a skill wherein a player maintains a precise mental record of the cards that have appeared so far during the course of the game. This technique may provide players with a comparatively effective estimation of which cards are still in the shoe. Blackjack card counting is a scheme applied in the hopes to increase a player's advantage. Player using card counting ascribe "weights" to each card’s value and add the card weights while the dealer turns each new card face up. A skillfull player can tell by the "count" when the most opportune time for entering the game has come. He follows up on the count by making larger bets and/or devising modifications in playing schemes. Eventhough Blackjack card counting is legal, various casinos will evict players when caught in the act. -
Coupon
A coupon is a code that must be entered into the Cashier if you wish to claim a certain bonus at Online Casinos. -
Cracking the Nut
'Cracking the Nut' means to profit enough from a casino's visit to cover costs with a remainder. -
Croupier
Croupier (pronounced croop-ee-ay) is the French word for the dealer, used most commonly in the games of baccarat and roulette. -
Cut
Splitting the deck in two before any cards are dealt.
