In games where one’s money is at stake, it is not enough to only know the basics of the game. In blackjack, or in any casino game for that matter, it is also important to learn the different terminology that comes along with it. Here are some common terms that may be of help to speak blackjack:
Speak Blackjack: Terminologies
Anchor player
This refers to the player located at the immediate right of the dealer, and therefore is seated at the far left of the table. The anchor player is the last one to act on his hand before the dealer does.
Barber pole
A barber pole pertains to a bet that constitutes a pile of chips in different colors.
Barring
Barring means to permanently prohibit a player from playing the game. This can occur in one or more casinos, particularly if that player is a skilled card counter.
Blacks
This pertains to black colored chips that are worth $100.
Color for color
This occurs when the same value of chips is paid off to the winning bettor’s initial wage.
Color up
This term describes the act of exchanging one’s small-valued chips for a larger denomination.
CTR
The acronym stands for Currency Transaction Report and is authorized by the federal government; it is a form that requires to be filled up for cash transactions that amount more than $10,000 within a 24-hour course.
Even money
It is a type of side bet that the dealer offers to a player with a natural blackjack in case the dealer’s hand has an ace as his face-up card. This is similar to taking an insurance in the player’s part before he/she takes a glance at her own hand.
Eye in the sky (EITS)
This refers to the establishment’s commercial security closed circuit cameras, which record everything that is happening in the casino for surveillance.
Flasher
This simply refers to a dealer who inattentively exposes his own card to players at the table.
Front money
Front money is the deposit a player makes at the cashier to draw markers.
Hard hand
This describes a hand that either does not have an ace or, like in some casinos, the ace is present but the card is worth one (instead of 11).
More Blackjack Lingo
Insurance
This is a special side bet that allows the player to wager half their initial bet against the dealer who has a natural blackjack. This type of bet can be made when the dealer has an ace as his face-up card. In cases when the dealer does have a blackjack, the pay off of an insurance bet is 2-1.
Marker
Whenever a player requests for a marker, he is simply asking for a loan of playing chips. The player signs a bank draft in order to acquire the chips that will be used for betting.
Money plays
When a player affirms that he/she will be playing only one hand of the game and wagers in cash without exchanging it for casino chips, this is called money plays.
Monkey
This refers to a card that could improve, or even win a player’s hand. It is a jargon for a card with a value of ten. When players receive an ace on the first draw, some will begin calling for a “monkey”. They are basically calling for a winning card on the next draw.
Natural
If a player’s hand consists of an ace and a picture card, this sums to a total value of 21. That player instantly wins the game. This is simply another term to speak blackjack.
Nickels
This refers to chips that have the equivalent value of $5.
Paint
This is any picture card with a value of ten. It includes a ten, Jack, Queen or King.
Pat hand
A pat hand consists of a pair of cards that have a value of 17 through 21. This type of hand does not require a hit anymore.
Peeker
It is a fixed optical device in the table that dealers use in order to identify the value of their down card. The game continues once the peeker did not register an ace or a ten-value card.
Ploppy
A slang term describing a clueless player who fails to recognize basic strategies of the game.
Push
This occurs when the player’s hand has the same total value as that of the dealer’s. This is otherwise known as a “tie”, therefore the player’s chips stay as is.
Quarters
Series of chips that are worth $25.
Reds
These are red-colored chips that have a value of $5.
Snapper
It is another slang for a natural or a blackjack.
Soft hand
A soft hand in blackjack refers to any hand that has an ace, and is therefore counted as 11.
Stiff
This is otherwise known as a hard hand that has a value of 12 through 16.
Suits
These are persons who are under the casino administration — this includes the floor person, pit boss or shift supervisor.
Surrender
One of the rules wherein a player is allowed to give up his hand, in return losing half of his bet. It is important to note that some casinos do not approve this rule.
Trespassed
This occurs when a player is prohibited from entering the premises and is to be arrested if he dares to return.
Toke
The dealer calls out a toke if a player gives him a tip.
Washing the cards
Fresh cards are shuffled by the dealer on top of the layout without raising them
Whale
It is a term used to describe players with massive bankrolls.
These are some of the common slang used to speak blackjack that some players might be quite unfamiliar with. Being able to recognize these terms used at the table will make one more knowledgeable about the game. Moreover, understanding each move of the players oftentimes makes the difference between winning or losing one’s hand.
