What does ‘monkey’ mean in blackjack?

“Hit me.” “Ploppy.” “Burn card.” “Snapper.” “Monkey.”

What do they all have in common? They’re all blackjack slang. Blackjack tables have their own little language, and “monkey” might be one of the weirdest terms. It sounds like something your nephew yells at the zoo, not a word grown adults shout while praying for a 10. But in blackjack, it’s legit.

You’ll hear ‘monkey’ in blackjack when someone wants a face card. You’ll hear it when the dealer looks like they’re about to bust. You might hear it from the guy who clearly pre-gamed before hitting the casino. But once you know what it means, you’ll start saying it too.

Now, let’s throw you a branch and get you up to speed.

Why do people say monkey in blackjack?

If you’ve ever sat at a blackjack table and heard someone yell “MONKEY!” like they’re summoning a jungle spirit, don’t panic. They’re not having an episode. They’re just rooting for a 10-value card.

So what is ‘monkey’ in blackjack, exactly?

In blackjack slang, a “monkey” means any card worth 10, including tens, jacks, queens, or kings. It’s the hype word you shout when you need that sweet, sweet 21 or when you’re hoping the dealer draws the exact card that sends them straight into Bust City.

You might hear it when a player:

• Hits on a hand like 11 or 10 and desperately want a face card.
• Hopes the dealer flips a 10 under a weak upcard (like a 5 or 6) so the dealer gets forced into more hits and eventually crashes out.

Basically, “monkey” is the unofficial table battle cry for “please give me a ten right now.”

So…why monkey? Where the Term Comes From

This is where the lore gets interesting, and truthfully, pretty hilarious. The most widely accepted explanation is that it originated with Asian gamblers who brought the slang into American casinos, and it later spread to other casino cities around the world.

In Mandarin, a word for “face card,” “me-an-kah,” sounds similar to “monkey.” In Cantonese, the word for “nothing” (as in baccarat, where face cards are worth nothing) is “moong-yah”, which sounds similar, too. Over years of blending (and yes, possibly butchering) accents and table banter, those sounds morphed into “monkey,” and it stuck.

There’s also a popular theory linking it to the word “monarchy,” since face cards show kings and queens. Cute idea, but realistically, no one at a casino is out here yelling “monarchy!” with a straight face, even in the strange, distant past when they wore extra puffy bloomers.

And just to add one more curveball, in the UK and Australia, “monkey” has nothing to do with cards at all. It means £500 or $500, a throwback to old Indian 500-rupee notes that had a monkey on them.

So, depending on where you’re playing, yelling “monkey!” might get you a face card…or a confused stare from someone who thinks you just asked for half a grand. Either way, it certainly does add an element of intrigue!

How To Play A Monkey Card In Blackjack

A “monkey” in blackjack isn’t a special card you play differently. It’s just slang for any 10-value card. But knowing how to use a monkey is a whole different story, and that just comes down to learning how to play a 10. Luckily, there are plenty of blackjack tips for that.

When You Want a Monkey

The classic moment to root for a monkey is when you’re sitting on 10 or 11… or when David Attenborough’s voice is narrating a capuchin making a split-second leap to dodge a hungry hawk. That’s the sweet spot.

Hitting those totals and pulling a ten gives you a strong hand or sometimes a straight-up game-winner. The same goes for doubling down on 10 or 11. When you double, you only get one card, so yelling “monkey!” is your way of manifesting the win.

You also want a monkey when it works against the dealer. You’d be shouting “MONKEY!” when the dealer shows a 5 or 6. Those are bust cards. If their hole card is a ten, they’re forced to draw again, and that second hit often sends them over 21. You don’t even have to touch your hand to win. You just sit there and watch the dealer implode in slow motion. But if you happen to be hosting blackjack at home, there’s a good chance that the dealer is your buddy, so try not to lay it on too thick.

Do I have to say monkey at a casino?

Haha, no. No, you do not. Don’t worry about shouting monkey unless you really want to. You might hear it pop off during double downs, table swings, or anytime someone desperately wants the dealer to bust so badly that their soul briefly leaves their body. But you don’t have to participate in it, beyond enjoying it as a way to bond with strangers at 2 a.m. In that case, you’re just monkeying around, and that’s ok.

Other Blackjack Slang to Listen For

Blackjack players love a good nickname, so once you’re past “monkey,” here are a few more bits of table slang you’ll hear floating around the felt.

• Burn card: The very first card the dealer removes from the shoe and places face down off to the side before any hands are dealt.
• Snapper: Another word for a natural blackjack.
• Ploppy: An inexperienced player who sits down with zero strategy and even acts disruptively.
• Stiff hand: Any total between 12 and a blackjack 16. It’s “stiff” because if you mess it up, you bust quickly.
• First base: The first seat to the dealer’s left. This player gets every card before the rest of the table. No, they don’t have to smooch the dealer.
• Paint: A slangy way to refer to face cards.

In the end, yelling “monkey!” is a silly little ritual that adds an element of mischief to the game. Once you know what it means, you’re officially fluent in the table’s secret language, and you’ll spot the moment to call for one like the king of the jungle. To put your new slang to work, swing over to Cafe Casino and go bananas with blackjack.