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

Shuffle Up

Blackjack

When a dealer shuffles the cards prematurely, before the cut card is reached. This may be done legitimately at management instruction or as a countermeasure against suspected card counters. Also called “preferential shuffle,” an early shuffle destroys the card counter’s advantage by preventing deep penetration.

In practice

Preferential shuffling is a controversial practice that can expose casinos to legal challenges in some jurisdictions. Surveillance typically coordinates with pit management before ordering a shuffle up.

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.