A card game in which players attempt to approach 21 but not exceed it. The best possible hand in the game blackjack, made up of an ace and a card valued at 10 (namely, 10, J, Q, K). Continuous Shuffle-H17-DAS-No surrender- No RSA- BJ paid 3-2 Minimum was $6. There was quite a bit more action then I was expecting, several players were playing blacks every night for multiple hours.
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Blackjack Terms and Definitions - A Blackjack Dictionary
This page offers definitions of various blackjack related terms. It's meant to eventually become a complete dictionary or glossary of blackjack phrases, and will gradually grow larger over time as we add more words and definitions below.
Feedback - A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
A
A popular variant rule where a bonus payout for the ace and jack of spades is offered.
Changing the size of one's bet based on how many aces are left in the deck.
A simple card counting strategy that only counts aces and fives.
A count of how many aces have been played. This count is a 'side count' because it's kept separately from the main count.
Any card counting system that doesn't track aces. i.e. Aces count as 0 or null in the count.
A situation where the deck has fewer aces left in it than is statistically likely. A deck that's poor in aces.
A situation where the deck has more aces left in it than is statistically likely. A deck that's rich in aces.
The amount of money that's been bet. Can refer to an aggregate of the total amounts of bets made over a certain period of time, or it can refer to the amount in play on a particular wager.
The statistically theoretical edge one side has over the other, usually expressed as a percentage of the wager. Usually the casino has the advantage, but card counting can give the player the advantage.
A gambler who uses strategy to gain a mathematical advantage over the casino.
B
Counting cards from behind the table as a spectator. Counting cards in blackjack when you're not playing in the game.
A card counting system that has an equal number of cards valued at + and -. The sum of a count of all cards in a deck in a balanced count is always 0.
The amount of funds available for wagering. Sometimes refers to the total amount of money available to gamble with, but can also refer to the amount available in a given playing session.
To ban a player from playing at a casino. This term is almost always used to refer to blackjack card counters.
The optimum playing strategy for blackjack when not counting.
The amount of the maximum and minimum bets a player is making during a blackjack playing session. A 1-5 bet spread means that the player is betting a minimum of 1 unit per hand and a maximum of 5 units per hand.
How well a card counting system can take advantage of the theoretical advantage offered by that system.
A member of a card counting team who makes a big bet when the count is favorable.
A casino chip worth $100.
Refers to the game of 21, but also refers to a natural total of 21 on the first two cards. A blackjack always consists of an ace and a face card or a ten. Blackjack usually pays better than even odds. The most common payoff on a blackjack is 3 to 2, but some single deck blackjack games have a 6 to 5 payout. And sometimes you'll get lucky and find a casino offering 2 to 1 payouts on blackjacks. A blackjack is also called a 'natural'.
The first card of a new deck after the shuffle and cut. The card is discarded and placed on the bottom of the deck.
To get a total greater than 21. Automatically a loss.
C
Where the casino cashier is located.
Any strategy meant to cover up card counting.
A strategy for getting the edge at blackjack by tracking the ratio of high cards to low cards that have already been played. A card counter raises his bet when the deck offers favorable odds to the player, and lowers his bet when the deck offers less-than-favorable odds to the player. There are multiple card counting systems with varying degrees of efficiency.
Refers to a deck with a bad ratio of cards for the player.
To exchange lower denomination chips for higher denomination chips.
Blackjack Rsa Meaning Key
Free food, room, beverage, and travel offered by casinos to encourage big players to gamble more.
A plastic card used to cut the deck after shuffling. The dealer reshuffles the deck after reaching the cut card when dealing hands.
D
A dealer cheating method. The dealer deals the 2nd card from the top if the top card would help the player.
The percentage of cards played out of a deck or a shoe before reshuffling.
The cards that have already been played and thrown away.
Blackjack played out of two decks which are shuffled together. (As opposed to single deck, four deck, six deck, eight deck, etc.)
To double the initial bet and take one and exactly one more card. Usually doubling down is only allowed after the first two cards are dealt. Some casinos allow doubling after splitting and some don't. Some casinos only allowing doubling down when the first two cards total 10 or 11.
A blackjack variant where both of the dealer's cards are played face up. Usually players lose all pushes and blackjack pays even money in this variant.
The older area of Vegas. The casinos in Downtown Vegas generally offer better rules for the player, and the phrase is used to refer to blackjack games with those beneficial rules.
Same as to hit. Taking additional cards in an attempt to get closer to a total of 21.
The total wagered in a casino.
E
Blackjack Rsa Meaning Slang
Giving up on the first two cards before the dealer checks his hole card for an ace. The player only loses 50% of his wager in this situation.
Expresses the percentage advantage the player or casino has in a given situation.
A bet that pays off at the same amount it would lose. e.g., betting $5 to potentially win $5 is an even money bet.
Usually expressed as a percentage, refers to the amount a player can expect to win or lose, statistically.
The video camera above the casino floor which is used to watch the dealers and players to catch cheating.
F
The jack, queen, and king. They're each worth 10 points.
A dealer cheating method which doesn't really randomize the deck of cards.
The position of the player at the blackjack table who gets his cards first. If you're standing behind the table, the player at the far right is in first base.
To bet the same amount on every hand.
Blackjack Rsa Meaning List
The deviations from expectation in a player's bankroll.
G
A book of suspected card counters and casino cheaters provided to casinos by Griffin Investigations.
A private investigator corporation which specializes in casino cheating and card counters.
H
Any hand without an ace. Also any hand with an ace where the ace must be counted as a 1 to avoid busting.
The total of a hard hand.
Playing alone against a dealer.
Pressure and intimidation used by a casino to discourage card counters.
A card counting system. 2 through 6 counts +1 and faces and aces count as -1.
A card counting system promoted in The World's Greatest Blackjack Book. 3-6 count as +1, and tens (including faces) count as -1.
Hialeah park racing and casino in florida. Also known as a 'whale'. Someone who bets a lot of money.
To take another card.
The dealer's face down card.
A deck where the player has an edge or favorable situation.
The percentage advantage the casino has over the player on a particular bet.
I
The total count that warrants a deviation from basic strategy.
A side bet that the dealer has a blackjack. The maximum insurance bet is half of your original wager. Insurance is almost always a negative expectation bet.
J
A casino subsidized travel package for a group of gamblers.
K
Betting a percentage of your bankroll equal to your percentage advantage. This is the optimal bet size.
An unbalanced card counting system promoted by Olaf Vancura and Ken Fuchs. 2-7 count as +1 and aces and tens count as -1. The count does not start at 0 but starts at a number determined by the number of decks in play. Also known as the 'KO count'.
L
Blackjack Rsa Meaning Synonyms
The rules most commonly used on the Las Vegas strip, as opposed to Downtown Las Vegas. These rules are generally less favorable to the player and use more decks.
An optional rule where the player can surrender after seeing the dealer's hole card.
The number of values used in a card counting system. A level one counting system only uses +1 and -1, but a level two system would use +1, +2, -1 and -2, and so on. The higher the level, the harder the system is to use in practice.
M
Someone who uses sleight-of-hand in order to cheat at cards.
A system a player uses to decide how to handle his bankroll. Kelly betting is one money management system that works. Stop loss limits is a money management system that doesn't work.
A casino rule which allows players to wager actual cash instead of chips.
Using more than one deck in a game of blackjack. As opposed to a single deck game.
N
A blackjack.
O
P
A face card. (Jacks, queens, and kings.)
A method of cheating where a player posts additional money to his wager after seeing the results of the hand.
A total of 17 or more. Don't hit pat hands.
The area in the casino which is surrounded by the table games.
A casino employee in the pit who oversees the table games and the dealers.
The rules variations in effect at a casino. Playing conditions include whether or not a player can double down after a split, how many decks are in use, etc.
Another name for the Hi lo counting system.
The total value of the count, positive or negative, at any given time.
Refers to the player and the dealer having the same total. Usually the player's bet is returned when there is a push.
Q
R
Putting chips in your pocket or purse so the casino doesn't see how much you're winning.
Describes 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, in which case the rating determines what comps are awarded to the player.
$5 chip.
Splitting a second pair after receiving another pair after the initial deal. (Resplitting is often not allowed.)
A bet made by another player on someone's hand. This bet is placed behind the original bet.
The mathematical chance of losing one's entire bankroll.
Same as the point count.
S
A period of time spent gambling.
A casino employee who pretends to be a player. Shills often play at empty tables in order to attract action.
A blackjack game dealt from a shoe. Multiple deck games are almost always shoe games, while single deck games are often dealt by hand.
Blackjack Rsa Meaning Examples
A company which manufactures automatic shuffling machines which constantly shuffle the blackjack decks. Shuffle Master machines generally prevent card counting, since the deck is shuffled after every hand.
An 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 concentration of high cards is played by the dealer.
An additional count of a particular set of cards, kept in addition to the point count. Aces are often tracked in a side count.
A hand in which an ace can be counted as an 11 or as a 1 without the hand being considered a bust.
To double down on a soft hand.
To decline additional cards and keep your existing total.
The amount of deviation from the statistical expectation.
Hard hands that total between 12 and 16. Stiff hand are likely to bust when drawn to.
An 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. Lake city casino kelowna hours schedule.
Deciding 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.
T
Advantage play or card counting when executed by multiple people who often share a single bankroll.
The 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.
Any tip to a dealer or other casino employee.
The running count divided by the number of decks in he shoe.
U
The dealer's card that is played face up. This is the first card the dealer plays to himself. What gambling does to your brain.
An amount of a bet.
A card counting system where the number of positive cards and negative cards is not equal.
V
The amount of deviation from the expectation you can expect.
The house edge on a bet.
W
To back count and only bet when you have the edge. Named for Stanford Wong.
How much a player wins per hour.
See high roller.
XYZ
A card counting system made popular by Arnold Snyder. The zen count is a level two counting system.
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The optimal plays for some pairs in blackjack are pretty much intuitive but this is not the case with a pair of 7s. There is a widespread tendency among inexperienced players to approach this hand poorly. The trouble is such mistakes can be very costly over the long term.
What makes it all the more difficult for rookies to master the correct plays is the fact the strategy for this particular pair varies under different table conditions. It is different for 7s in pitch games and multiple-deck blackjack. The house rules for the dealer also play a role in this case, which further complicates the matter.
Blackjack Rsa Meaning Definition
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The ability to double down after the split affects the basic strategy for a pair of 7s, too. On top of it all, there is the surrender option to take into account. The optimal strategy requires players to surrender their 7s against certain strong upcards but if surrendering is not an option, you will have to learn the second-best moves for this hand. Confused much? We are not surprised.
To spare you the headaches associated with memorizing the moves for this pair, we have categorized them into three distinct categories on the basis of deck number. Be sure to at least learn the optimal plays for the blackjack variation you play the most frequently. The article also tackles the most common mistakes for paired 7s so that you know what not do when you start a hand with those two cards.
Playing a Pair of 7s in Single-Deck Games
Let's first take a look at what you are supposed to do with your 7s in a game that utilizes a single deck of cards only. Your decisions, in this case, are affected by the following variables – the dealer's fixed drawing rules, the presence or absence of the surrender option, and the ability to double after a split, knowns as DAS.
Interestingly, the correct strategy is a bit more complex despite the fact you are playing against a single deck. The explanation is that here players will have to hit or stand on their 7s at some tables and surrender against the same dealer upcard at others because surrendering is largely not an option in single-deck blackjack variations. But if you do happen to find a landbased or online variant that supports surrender, you should be able to recognize the instances in which this is the best possible move.
The possible moves for a pair of 7s are to stand, hit, split, and surrender. Doubling is never recommended for the simple reason this is a bad play with a hard 14 no matter what upcard the dealer has. DAS and the dealer's fixed rules also play a crucial role. Let's take a look at the optimal plays for 7s in a single-deck S17 game with DAS. They are as follows:
- Split the 7s against dealers with upcards 2 through 8 (with NDAS, hit against the 8)
- Hit the 7s against upcards 9 and Ace
- Surrender the 7s against a dealer showing a 10 (if surrender is unavailable, stand instead)
The basic strategy changes under the H17 conditions because this dealer drawing rule calls for surrendering against one more upcard. Provided that DAS is possible, it becomes more beneficial for you to:
- Split the pair of 7s against upcards 2 through 8 (you again hit against the 8 if there is NDAS)
- Hit the 7s against a 9
- Surrender the 7s against upcards 10 and Ace
- If surrender is unavailable, you stand against the 10 and hit the pair of 7s against dealer Aces
Playing a Pair of 7s in Double-Deck Games
The basic strategy for this pair changes slightly after we introduce a second deck of cards to the game. The reason lies mainly in the absence of surrender, which is never advisable with 7s against any dealer upcard in double-deck games, even if it is available as an option.
The number of playing decisions for this pair dwindles down to two – splitting or hitting. The good news is the correct moves remain the same regardless of whether you are playing H17 or S17 blackjack.
As you will see, the absence of DAS impacts only one playing decision here, the one for a pair of 7s against dealers who expose an 8. Thus, the moves you need to make if you stick to basic strategy and play a double-deck game are to:
- Split the 7s against dealers with cards 2 through 8 (or hit the 8 under the NDAS rule)
- Hit the pair of 7s against dealer upcards 9, 10, and Aces
Playing a Pair of 7s in Multiple-Deck Games
These days, most casinos offer blackjack variations that use multiple decks (four, six or eight). If you would allow us to express our personal opinion, these are the tables you should attack because multiple-deck games tend to abide by more liberal rules than pitch games.
Many of the single-deck variations offer players reduced returns for blackjacks and pay 6 to 5 instead of 3 to 2, which significantly increases the house edge. Another good thing is that there is no need for you to memorize any alternative moves. The majority of blackjack variants played with several decks give you the option to double after splitting so and so.
But let's get back on topic. The best plays here are either to split or hit. Which decision you make is based solely on what upcard your dealer is showing. Here is what you need to do with your pair of 7s if you insist on playing it optimally against multiple decks:
- Split the pair of 7s if your dealer shows cards 2 through 7
- Hit the pair of 7s when the dealer exposes cards 8 through Ace
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Pairs of 7s
Certain basic strategy plays for this pair are so logical that most blackjack mavens rarely misplay them, if ever. Such is the case with a pair of 7s against dealers who start their hands with small cards like 4, 5, and 6. Most fans of the game would readily split as they rejoice at the opportunity to win two hands instead of one when the dealer is at a disadvantage.
Everybody and their grandma knows blackjack dealers are the most susceptible to breaking their hands when their starting point is one of the above-mentioned upcards. Similarly, it is just as logical not to invest more money into splitting when a strong card like a 10 or an Ace gives your dealer an edge over you.
Misplaying 7s against the Dealer's 8 in Pitch Games
The issues start with less intuitive hands where the optimal moves cannot be deduced with the help of intuition and hunches. In pitch games, this particular pair is commonly misplayed when players are facing a dealer with a so-so upcard like an 8, for example.
The confusion arises mostly because of the DAS rule. We already outlined the optimal plays. If you remember, you should split the 7s against the 8 but only if you can double down afterward. If not, you stand better chances when you hit your pair.
Splitting becomes the better of the two moves when DAS is permitted because you might end up catching a 3 or a 4 for totals of 10 or 11, which increases your chances for a successful double after the split. In both cases, this pair holding gives you negative expectation against the dealer's 8.
However, the objective of a savvy blackjack player is not only to win more but to lose less. You split the 7s against the 8 with DAS because this decreases the long-term losses per dollar you incur with this pair. Take a peek at the table below and you will see what we mean:
Blackjack Rsa Meaning Definition
| Playing Decision with 7s vs. 8 | Average Expected Losses with DAS | Average Expected Losses with NDAS |
|---|---|---|
| Surrender | -$0.50 | -$0.50 |
| Stand | -$0.54 | -$0.54 |
| Hit | -$0.41 | -$0.41 |
| Double Down | -$0.86 | -$0.86 |
| Split | -$0.38 | -$0.42 |
Misplaying 7s against the Dealer's 8 in Pitch Games Additional TipsObviously, the option to split with DAS yields the smallest losses, which renders it the optimal choice in this scenario. Please note that the figures in the above table are accurate for a single-deck S17 game with the standard 3-to-2 payout on blackjacks, where you can double on any two cards, split to up to four hands (no RSA) and late surrender (LS).
That being said, basic strategy still favors hitting over splitting with NDAS even if you are playing under far-from-optimal rules like 6-to-5 payouts for naturals, H17, doubling on 9, 10, and 11 only, and no surrender.
Misplaying a Pair of 7s against a 10
Some casual one-decker players stubbornly refuse to wave the white flag with pairs of 7s against dealers who expose a ten-value card. They are either too scared to hit and expose themselves to the risk of busting or are reluctant to stand because they believe they can outdraw the dealer by catching another 7.
They hate the idea of giving half of their original wager back to the house without putting up a fight first. In reality, they are fighting a losing battle since neither of the two moves is correct when surrender is available. And indeed, hard 14 is a very bad hand to get when your dealer starts with such a powerful card.
The trouble here is that hitting is the least player-favorable move you can make with this pair (along with splitting which, as you have seen, is not recommended in this case) especially if you aim for a total of 21. Your chances are not great considering you have depleted the deck of 7s since two of them are already in your hand.
Check the table below and make your own observations. It applies to a single-deck game with relatively liberal rules – H17, 3 to 2 for blackjacks, doubling on 9, 10 and 11 only, DAS, resplitting to four hands, no RSA, and LS. Doubling is altogether excluded because no one would be crazy enough to increase their bet in exchange for one more card in this situation. Or at least we hope so.
| Playing Decision for a Pair of 7s vs. 10 | Average Expected Losses |
|---|---|
| Surrender | -$0.500 |
| Stand | -$0.509 |
| Hit | -$0.514 |
| Split | -$0.620 |
Misplaying a Pair of 7s against a 10 Additional TipsObviously surrendering is the best playing decision you can make here since it causes you to lose less than the other three options. It is followed by standing which, as we told you, is the second best move for this two-card holding against a 10. You should forget all about hitting and splitting – these are the most disadvantageous moves in this situation.
Let's now sum up all we have said so far. How does following perfect basic strategy help players with their pairs of 7s? There are several main benefits you get from playing this hand correctly – you win more money over the long term, you decrease the losses you incur in negative-expectation situations, you potentially improve a bad starting total of hard 14 through splitting, and you have the satisfaction of knowing you play your pairs of 7s optimally.
