PlugA shuffling technique that is sometimes employed in card games like blackjack where the game is often dealt from a multi-deck shoe.
Plus/minusAnother name for the Hi lo counting system.
Point CountThe total value of the count, positive or negative, at any given time.
Preferential ShufflingShuffling when the remaining cards are deemed favorable to the players.
PushRefers to the player and the dealer having the same total. Usually the player's bet is returned when there is a push.
Push/TieWhen the player and the dealer have hands with the same point total. No money changes hands.
Rat holingPutting chips in your pocket or purse so the casino doesn't see how much you're winning.
RatedDescribes a player who's a professional. Card counters prefer NOT to be rated. Can also refer to a rating given by casino hosts based on the amount lost…
SessionThe period during which Congress assembles and carries on its regular business.
ShillA casino employee who pretends to be a player. Shills often play at empty tables in order to attract action.
ShinerA member of the shiner family often used for bait. The most common in Arizona is the gold shiner.
Shoethis is the wooden box that is used for holding and dispensing playing cards to be dealt.
Shoe gameA blackjack game dealt from a shoe. Multiple deck games are almost always shoe games, while single deck games are often dealt by hand.
ShuffleAt the start of each game when the dealer mixes up the order of the cards is said to shuffle the cards.
Shuffle MasterA company which manufactures automatic shuffling machines which constantly shuffle the blackjack decks.
Shuffle trackingAn advantage play technique in blackjack where a player keeps track of where the high cards are in the deck, then cuts into the deck so that the…
Shuffle UpPremature shuffling of playing cards by the dealer.
Side countAn additional count of a particular set of cards, kept in addition to the point count. Aces are often tracked in a side count.
Soft HandA hand in which an ace can be counted as an 11 or as a 1 without the hand being considered a bust.
Split HandSplit the initial two-card hand into two and play them separately - allowed only when the two first cards are of equal value.
SpookingThe act of standing behind the dealer to peak at the hole card and then secretly convey the information to a partner player sitting at the table.
StandTo decline additional cards and keep your existing total.
Stand or StayNot requiring any more cards, to refrain from taking another card.
Standard deviationStandard deviation is a statistical measurement of how far a variable quantity, such as the price of a stock, moves above or below its average value.
Standing HandIn blackjack, meaning a hand which hard-totals to 17 or more, which is very likely to bust if one more card is called and therefore the player is expected…
SteamingA blackjack term where a player has become frustrated with how badly the events of a session of play have turned out.
Stiff HandHard hands that total between 12 and 16. Stiff hand are likely to bust when drawn to.
Stop loss limitAn amount of money that a gambler is willing to lose in a situation. Once the stop loss limit is reached, the gambler stops playing that session.
SurrenderDeciding not to play the hand you've been dealt. You get to keep half your bet if you surrender. Not all casinos offer surrender as an option.
Team playAdvantage play or card counting when executed by multiple people who often share a single bankroll.
Tell PlayObserving the dealer's body language and expressions to determine his hand of cards.
Third BaseThe person who receives cards last in a blackjack game. If you're standing behind the players, the person in third base is the farthest to the left.
TIEthis is where neither the house nor the player wins.
Tip (Toke)A gratuity given to a dealer by a player.