‘Break’ Meaning | Casino & Gambling Terms Explained

In the context of casinos and gambling, the term “break” has several meanings, but in blackjack, it specifically refers to when a hand exceeds the total value of 21, which is also known as “busting.” When a player’s hand goes over 21, they have broken the hand, resulting in an immediate loss regardless of the dealer’s hand. Similarly, if the dealer’s hand exceeds 21, it is also considered a break, and all remaining players who have not busted win the hand.

Break and Blackjack

The concept of breaking is central to blackjack strategy. Players must carefully consider the risk of taking additional cards (hitting) based on the dealer’s upcard and their own hand’s total. The goal is to achieve a hand value as close to 21 as possible without breaking. This requires understanding the probabilities associated with drawing different card values and making strategic decisions that minimize the risk of busting while maximizing the chances of winning.

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For example, if a player holds a hand totaling 16 and the dealer’s upcard is a 7, conventional blackjack strategy suggests that the player should take another card (hit), despite the risk of breaking, because the dealer has a strong likelihood of achieving a high hand total that would beat the player’s 16.

In addition to individual hands, the term “break” can also refer to a break in action at the gaming tables. This can be a scheduled pause in play to allow players to rest, or it can be an enforced break, such as those implemented in some online casinos to prevent continuous play, which could lead to problem gambling behaviors. These mandatory breaks are designed to give players a chance to reflect on their gambling and make more conscious decisions about their play.

Furthermore, “breaking in” is a term used to describe new casino dealers who are starting their careers and learning the ropes of dealing games. These break-in dealers often begin with simpler games like blackjack before moving on to more complex games like craps.

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