Blackjack Encyclopedia of Casino Twenty-One: A

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A. 1) Acronym for ace. 2) Acronym for large bets accepted graciously.
[Wong Current Blackjack News 93]

A-J bonus. The Ace and Jack of Spades is a popular bonus hand in social games and in some casinos. If the player is always paid double for this bonus he has a gain of +.042%.

Accu-Count. {PCS/L2} (c1978?) (Forest Hills, NY). See Hi-Opt II.

A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
0 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 0 -2

BC = .91 PE = .67

[c78? Accu-Count System for Winning BJ]
[78 Casino & Sports Vol.2, 18]
[c78? Rouge et Noir 12]

Ace of Spades ace. (A). 1) A playing card with a single pip on the face whose value counts as 1 or 11 points, as declared by the player. Aces have a critical importance in the game of twenty-one for if all the aces in a game were used up it would be impossible to receive any soft hands or blackjacks. Any card counting system that ignores aces cannot yield a very good estimate of the advantage a player has in a given situation. The ace has little effect on a player's overall playing strategy but is critical in a player's betting strategy. See ace-count. 2) A reference to a $1 chip.
1) [90 Chambliss Fundamentals of Blackjack 81]

ace adjustment. To adjust a player's bet size based on the proportion of aces remaining to be played. See ace adjustment factor. See ace-count.

ace adjustment factor. A number specified by advanced card counting systems where the ace is assigned a point value of zero. A side count of aces is therefore required to determine this factor which is multiplied by the number of aces rich or aces poor, in order to adjust the running count for betting purposes.
[81 Uston Million Dollar Blackjack 141]

ace count. 1) {RCS} A strategy whereby the player keeps a count of all aces, as they are dealt, and raises or lowers his bet based on this information. 2) {CS} In more advanced card tracking systems this is a separate side count that the player keeps in addition to his regular point count. Some systems intentionally assign a point count value of zero to aces and expect the player to keep a side count.

ace-five count. {RCS} A simplified rank count strategy where the player keeps track of aces and fives only. See Uston Ace-Five Count.

ace neutral count. A counting system which does not assign a value to the ace. An example of an ace neutral count is the Hi-Opt I count.

ace poor. When there is a lower than average proportion of aces remaining to be played. This generally favors the house, however, players may notice greater dealer breaking activity. See poor. See ace rich.

ace reckoned count. A counting system which assigns a value to the ace and includes them as part of the main count. An example of an ace reckoned count is the Hi-Lo count.

ace rich. When there is a greater than average proportion of aces remaining to be played. This generally favors the player due to the higher probability of receiving a natural. Although the dealer also has the same chance of receiving a natural the player is paid at greater odds (3 to 2). See rich. See ace poor.

ace tracking. {STS} A term that refers to one of the most closely guarded techniques of professional blackjack players. Also known as sequence tracking, sequential shuffle tracking, card location, signature cards, ace steering and key-carding.
[03 Poolside The Poolside Report: Blackjack Ace Tracking]

achtzehn-und-drei. A German term for the game of blackjack. See Ein-und-zwanzig.
[66 Thorp Beat the Dealer 4]

act. The false personality adopted by the expert blackjack counter to help disguise from casino personnel the fact that he is a skilled player. See camouflage. See cover.
[8/86 Olsen Blackjack Confidential]
[66 Thorp Beat the Dealer 132]

action. As in heavy action. The total amount of money that a player wagers over a period of time. For example, one hundred bets of $5 each is $500 in action. From a dealer's perspective, action can also refer to games where players are betting large amounts of checks.

action player. A term often referring to a player who enjoys gambling just for the sake of gambling and not necessarily for any profit motive. High rollers and junket players would fit in this category. All casinos like to cater to action players who are often the first to be offered comps when available.

Action 10. {RWC} (1990) (A blackjack strategy developed by Steven Heller and marketed by Jerry Patterson). Not recommended. See Clump Card Blackjack. From its advertising:

"Action 10 is a method for exploiting dealer biased games. It is an integrated approach that includes specific betting strategies, unit win goals, stop losses and signals for moving into a more aggressive betting mode... Like the TARGET method it relies on certain factors such as chips, bets and card flows. However, Action 10 differs in what the player is actually looking for."

Action 21: Carousel of Decks. (1986) A blackjack variation offered by Harrah's Tahoe in December 1986. Twelve single-decks were individually shuffled and stood on end in slots in a plastic carousel. Players place bets before the dealer spins the carousel. Whichever deck lands in the one "open" slot is then removed for play of one round.
[3/87 Snyder Action 21: Carousel of Decks BJF 30]

Adams Black Jack Chewing Gum. Made of sugar, gum base, corn syrup, natural and artificial flavoring and artificial colors (including FD&C yellow no. 6). Produced by Warner-Lambert Co., Morris Plans, NJ 07950.

adjusted running count. The running count adjusted to reflect the number of aces rich or poor. See ace adjustment factor.

The term advantage as in advantage player once referred to a person who cheats, usually by using altered cards or dice.
[1890 Quinn Fools of Fortune 196]

advanced count. A general reference to any counting system beyond a level 1 count.

Advanced Point Count. (APC) 1) A reference to Lawrence Revere's 1973 Advanced Point Count system. 2) A general reference to any counting system beyond a level 1 count.

advantage. A notion of a player's or casino's expected value in a game. The advantage that a player or casino enjoys depends on a number of factors. These factors include:

Rules of the game
Number of decks
Randomness of cards
Strategy employed
Penetration

Frequently Asked Question
Does Blackjack Have the Best Odds for the Player?

If a player correctly uses basic strategy in a game, his long-run advantage can range from approximately 0.1% in a single-deck game with Las Vegas strip (LVS) rules and double after splitting (DAS) allowed to a disadvantage of greater than 1% for typical double exposure type games. See player advantage. See house advantage. See expectation.

CASINO ADVANTAGES VS BASIC STRATEGY PLAYERS
1-dk LVS & DAS	-.1%
1-dk LVS	+.0%
1-dk D10 & H17	+.4%
2-dk LVS & DAS	+.2%
2-dk LVS	+.3%
2-dk D10 & H17	+.7%
4-dk LVS & DAS	+.3%
4-dk LVS	+.4%
4-dk D10 & H17	+.8%
6 / 8-dk LVS & DAS	+.4%
6 / 8-dk LVS	+.5%
6 / 8-dk D10 & H17	+.9%
Double Exposure (Typical)	+1.1%
LVS = Las Vegas Strip rules where you can double on any two cards and the dealer stands on Soft-17. DAS = Double After Splits allowed. D10 = Double on 10 and 11 only

[ http://www.bjmath.com/bjmath/Stats/advant.htm ]

all. Acronym for lose all on doubles or splits if dealer has blackjack.
[Wong Current Blackjack News]

amateur shuffle. A shuffle operation that divides the deck approximately into two groups of n cards and interleaves them singly or in clusters of 2,3, or 4 according to some probability distribution.
[77 Epstein Theory of Gambling & Stat. Logic 161]

anchorman. Also shortened to anchor. The player to the right of the dealer, who is the last to act on the hand before the dealer. As far as the basic strategy of the game is concerned, this position is often erroneously considered to be highly important as to the success or failure of the other players. See third base.
[66 Thorp Beat the Dealer 158]

The anchorman can also be used as an accomplice to a cheating dealer. The anchorman can hit or stand according to signals from the dealer, thus taking undesirable cards off the top of the deck.

Andersen, Ian. a.k.a. Rusty Kent London. Author of the classic texts Turning the Tables on Las Vegas and Burning the Tables on Las Vegas. Ian Andersen is believed to have been born Irving Louis Lobsenz in Jersey City in 1943, but according to court records, has changed his name at least twice. He has also written two other books - The Big Night in 1979 (a novel) and Making Money in 1978.

Ian Andersen Interview
Courtesy: The Hot Shoe

Andersen Count. {PCS/L2} (Ian Andersen). See Reppert Count.

A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-2 1 1 1 2 1 1 0 -1 -1

BC = .97 PE = .45

[76 Andersen Turning the Tables on Las Vegas]

AOII. Acronym for the Advanced Omega II card counting system. See Omega II

APC. Acronym for Advanced Point Count. See point count system.

apron. The cloth band worn around the waist by casino dealers. Aprons are worn by many dealers and are usually fastened by an elastic band in back. The casino logo and/or name is usually imprinted on the apron.
[80 Solkey Dummy Up and Deal 107]

Archer System. {TCS}.

A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 -2

(Unbalanced converted 10 count)

Arizona. TBD
[88 Arizona Legalizes Gambling BJF]

Arizona rules. TBD

Aruba. An island in the Caribbean just off of Venezuela. Along with Curacao and Bonaire of the Netherland Antilles, these islands have several casinos that offer casino blackjack.
[2/90 Cohen Playing Smart in Aruba BJC]
[7/91 Tarantino ARUBA! BJC]

Aruba rules. Typical blackjack rules on the island of Aruba and Netherland Antilles are as follows:

All games are 6-deck.
Dealer stands on soft 17.
Double on 10 or 11 only.
Bonuses in some casinos.

[8/90 Wong Current Blackjack News]

ash tray. What players use at a blackjack table to dispose of cigarette ashes*. A player may be able to estimate how long a smoking player has been playing by noticing how many cigarette butts are in his ash tray. Some have estimated about 10 minutes per butt. Of course if they empty the tray....????

* As if you didn't know already!

Asia. Many countries throughout Asia have legal casinos that offer blackjack. These countries include the following:

Korea
Macau (near Hong Kong)
Malaysia
Philippines (Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Zamboanga)
Sri Lanka
and others

[Wong ...of Macau C&S Vol.3, 41
[Wong Korean Casinos Use 4 Decks C&S Vol.4, 12]
[Wong Manila Winner Problem C&S Vol.6, 68]
[77 Macau C&S Vol.1,33]
[4/86 Blackjack Confidential]
[9/89 Brahms Blackjack in Asia BJF]
[3/90 Brahms Blackjack in Asia Update BJF]
[90 Patterson Blackjack: A Winner's Handbook 202]
[12/90 Pell Blackjack in Japan BJF 17]

Asia rules. Rules vary throughout Asia where you may find unusual and sometimes very advantageous games. For example, a typical Korean casino might offer:

4 or 6-deck face up games
Las Vegas strip rules
Early surrender vs 10 only
Player 21 pushes dealer 10-up BJ
Resplitting of aces
Lose all double downs and splits to dealer natural

See five-card surrender.
[8/89 Wong Instant Update CBN]
[Fall 93 Blackjack in Korea BJR]

Atlantic City. City with the largest concentration of legalized gambling in the northeastern United States. Located in southeast New Jersey on the Atlantic coast. The rules for blackjack in Atlantic City are specified by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission (NJCCC). The first casino, Resorts International, opened its doors to the public on May 26, 1978. At one time, Atlantic City had some of the best blackjack rules in the world which included early surrender. Today, Atlantic City's 12 casinos offer players over 700 blackjack tables to choose from. At time of writing the following casinos were in operation:

Bally's Grand (1980)
Bally's Park Place (1979)
Caesars Atlantic City (1979)
Claridge (1981)
Harrah's Marina (1980)
Merv Griffin's Resorts (1978)
Sands (1980)
Showboat (1987)
TropWorld (1981)
Trump Castle (1985)
Trump Plaza (1984)
Trump Taj Mahal (1990)

[81 Chambliss Playing Blackjack in Atlantic City]
[83 Griffin Breaking Even in A.C. C&S Vol.24,28]
[83 Yoder How to Play A.C. Blackjack]
[90 Gaffney Winning BJ in Atlantic City and...]
[3/90 Wong Risk in Atlantic City BJF 13]
[91 Brown Blackjack: Atlantic City Style]
[Sum 93 Banker Blackjack Review]

Atlantic City rules. Typical Atlantic City rules are as follows:

Double on any first two cards.
Dealer stands on soft 17.
No re-splits allowed.
Double after splits allowed.

Most Atlantic City games use 4, 6 or 8 decks face up with the majority being 6 and 8 decks. The most significant change in Atlantic City rules since 1978, was the abolition of early surrender in 1981.

[Wong Current Blackjack News]
[90 Olsen Blackjack Confidential]
[90 Chambliss Fundamentals of Blackjack 35,54]
[90 Snyder Blackjack Forum]
[11/90 Olsen Atlantic City Floor Instructions BJC 23]
[11/90 Olsen 5-Card 21 & 8-5 Odds In A.C. BJC]
[Sum 93 Dalton Blackjack Review]

At time of writing, some casinos where experimenting with double-deck games, late surrender, Progressive 21 and side bets such as Five Card-21 and Over/Under 13 at selected tables. You can probably expect many changes in the next few years in Atlantic City due to the increased competition with Indian reservations and riverboat gambling. The Casino Control Act was modified in 1991 allowing 24 hour gambling in Atlantic City. Also, poker was introduced at several casinos in 1993.

Atvada Proven Method of Play. {BS} (Atvada Associates, San Francisco, CA) TBD
[81 Uston Million Dollar Blackjack 325]

Aus the Boss. {PCS/L1}. (Computerized Systems Institute, East Century City, CA). TBD
[81 Uston Million Dollar Blackjack 325]

Auston, John. Author of Blackjack Risk Manager software and the World's Greatest Blackjack Simulation guides.

Austin's Starter. {PCS/L1}. (Austin). See Hi-Opt I and Einstein counts.

A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 -1

BC = .88 PE = .61

[7/77 Austin's Starter System for BJ GT]

Australia. Casinos offering blackjack can be found in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Broadbeach, Darwin, Hobart, Launceston, Perth, and Townsville. Typical rules have included:

Most games are 6-deck.

Double 9, 10, 11 only

Dealer stands on soft 17

Double after splits allowed

Other rules normal

[1/92 Olsen Blackjack Confidential 19]
[Winter 92 Humble Int. Blackjack Club Newsletter]

Australia rules. TBD

automatic shuffling machines. Mechanical devices that automatically shuffle the cards for the dealer. A number of different devices have been used in casinos over the past 10 years or so.
[2/88, 7/89 Olsen Blackjack Confidential]
[2/90 Rand Nicoletti Automatic Shuffler BJC 26]
[11/91 Olsen Breeding's Single-Deck Shuffler... BJC]

AWK Count. {PCS/L2}

A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-2 1 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 -1

BC = .96 PE = .41

[88 Watson Beating Casino's Blackjack 124]

Last Update 12/10/03