In For (amount)
Total amount of money the player has invested in the session. A player who bought $100 of cheques when he sat down and another $100 when those ran out is “in for” $200.
Index
The number or letter in the upper left and lower right corners of a playing card that designate its denomination.
Inside Bets
A collective term for the side bets a player makes when the dealer is showing an ace (insurance and even money).
Intermediate Strategy
A strategy for playing that does not involve the play of an individual hand (which is basic strategy) or consider the value of the cards remaining in the deck (which is advanced strategy).
Invincible (Hand)
A hand that cannot be broken with the next hit, regardless of the value of the card.
Joint Bankroll
Describes an arrangement in which two or more players combine their bankrolls to play, generally sharing in the win or loss. (See also “cow up”
Junket
A package in which a group of gamblers is brought to a casino at a special rate that includes travel and lodging (and sometimes meals). The chief difference between a “junket” and an ordinary promotion is that junkets draw a group of customers from the same geographic area who travel together. Junkets may be arranged or subsidized by the casino, but may also be coordinated by individuals or other agencies (travel firms or tourism boards).
Lace
To slip individual cards into a stack one at a time.
Lammer
A plastic disk used to indicate a player has borrowed money to be paid back at the end of their session. A lammer may be used instead of a marker when the amount borrowed is small (less than $1000), and may be replaced by a marker at a later time.
Late Surrender
When surrender is allowed at any point. (Normal or “early” surrender is only before any hits are taken.)
Layout
The felt covering of a table game, usually indicating some of the house rules as well as indicating spots where players’ wagers are to be placed.
Let (it) Ride
Following a winning hand, to play the entire amount bet and won in the previous hand.
Limits
The minimum and maximum amounts that may be wagered at a given table.
Lobbying
Said of a player who is temporarily away from the game, but left his cheques and other paraphernalia to hold his seat.
Lock
A hand that is believed to be a winner (even before seeing the dealer’s hole card).
Looking out the window
Said of a dealer or player who is not paying attention to the game.
Make a Hand
To hit a hand until its total is satisfactory, without busting.
Mark Off
To separate a large stack of cheques in the rack so that it can be easily counted from a distance. Dealers typically mark off their rack by separating the cheques into stacks of 20 with clear plastic disks.
Marker
A promissory note from a player who has borrowed money from the casino.
Matrix System
An older name for basic strategy, in which a chart (matrix) is used to determine what play to make in a given situation.
Mechanic
Someone who is adept at cheating by altering the cards or playing equipment.
Minus Count
A negative number in card counting, indicating that the remainder of the deck is in the house’s favor.
Multiple-Deck
A blackjack game that is dealt from two or more decks of cards.

Nag
(v) To give a player unsolicited advice.
(n) A person who does so routinely.
Natural
A two-card hand that totals 21. Synonym for “blackjack.”

Outside Bet
A wager made against the casino before the cards are dealt that is based on something other than the player’s hand winning or losing in the current round. (Insurance and even money are wagers made after the cards are dealt, and are “inside” bets.

Paddle
A device used to push currency, markers, and other paperwork through a slot on the table into the drop box beneath it.
Pair
Two cards of the same index. In some houses, cards of the same value are treated as pairs — i.e., a player may split a king-ten hand.
Paper
Actual money, as opposed to cheques.
Parlay
To increase a wager before the cards have been dealt.
Pat Hand
A two-card hand that is not hit. Typically, this refers to such a hand that, according to basic strategy, should not be hit.
Peeking
Using any device or practice to view the dealer’s hole card.
Percentage
The casino’s mathematical advantage in a game of chance.
Pick Up
To remove something from the table. The dealer picks up cards at the end of the round, losing wagers, etc.
Picture Card
A king, queen, or jack. The term “face card” is preferred, unless you intend to sound like a rube.
Pinch
To remove money from a wager after the cards have been dealt. This is not allowed.
Pit
The area inside a group of tables. This area is off-limits to players.
Pit Beast
A less than affectionate term for a Pit Boss.
Pit Boss
The lowest level of casino management, one or more pit bosses are assigned to a group of tables to supervise the games, the players, and the dealers.
Pit Stand
The desk and surrounding area inside the pit.
Plug (the deck)
To place the cards that were not used in play into the discarded deck by inserting them, in small amounts, into various locations.
Press
To increase a bet, typically doubling it. This is said of players who parlay their bets, or choose to split or double when it is not indicated by basic strategy.
Prompt
An indication given by the dealer that the player should reconsider his decision (usually, to hit or stand). The prompt may be a verbal “are you suyre about that?” or it could be as simple as a pause before granting the hit or moving to the next player.
Prove (a Hand)
To reconstruct a hand that had previously been picked up in order to verify the outcome. Typically done when someone suggests a mistake has been made.
Push
A tie between the value of the dealer’s hand and the player’s.

Rabbit Hunting
The practice of observing, or in some cases asking to see, cards that the player would have received. A player who declined to hit, split, or double may do this to see the consequences of his decision.
Rack
The tray that holds the dealer’s bankroll.
Rating
The practice of observing a player’s gaming habits—the amount he buys in, wagers, and walks with at the end of the game. Players who wish to earn comps ask to be rated.
Rat Holing
Removing cheques from the table before cashing out of the game. Typically, this is done to hide a player’s winnings from the pit boss to avoid suspicion. (However, the camera crew notices it immediately, which has quite the opposite effect.)
Red (cheque)
A $5 cheque
Rich Deck
Said of the remainder of the deck/shoe when it has a high percentage of aces and ten-value cards.
Riffle
The practice of mixing two stacks of cards by interspersing them. During the shuffle, cards are cut and riffled.
(On a) Roll
Said of a player when he is enjoying a winning streak (and expects it to continue).
Round (of play)
A complete cycle, during which all players (and the dealer) receive and play their hands.
Run Down
To reduce a tall stack of cheques into several smaller ones that can be easily counted at a glance.
Running Count
In card counting, the total value of the remaining deck, unadjusted for the number of decks in play.
Rush
A brief winning streak.