Part I: Games & Gaming · Card Games — Baccarat & Blackjack

Penetration

Blackjack

The percentage or fraction of cards dealt from a shoe before the cut card is reached and the shoe is reshuffled. For example, 75% penetration in a six-deck game means approximately 4.5 decks are dealt. Deeper penetration benefits card counters because it creates more opportunities for favorable true counts.

In practice

Surveillance should monitor that dealers place the cut card at consistent depths. Inconsistent penetration may indicate dealer cooperation with card counters or sloppy procedure.

One entry from the Casino Industry Glossary — 1,157 terms written for surveillance, compliance and operations professionals rather than for players. Definitions describe industry usage; where a term carries a regulatory meaning, verify against the instrument that governs your jurisdiction.