Casino ABC: Letter J

The letter “J” also has plenty to offer in the Casino A–Z. It hides terms you may have heard before but can’t always place right away. Here you’ll find them explained simply and clearly – straight from the world of our MERKUR Casinos . That way, during your next visit, you won’t just be able to play along, but also join the conversation.

Jack

The Jack is the English term for the “Bube” – one of the three face cards in a deck, alongside the Queen and the King. In games like Poker and Black Jack , the Jack has a value of 10 and can change the course of the game at crucial moments – whether as part of a strong poker hand or as a faithful companion in Blackjack.

Fun fact:
In earlier times, the card was actually called the “Knave” in English. It was later replaced by “J” for Jack in modern decks, as the abbreviation “Kn” was easily confused with the “K” for King.

Jam

In poker slang, jam means “to go all in” – in other words, to push all your chips into the middle of the table at once. It sounds more dramatic than it really is, because in truth, there’s often strategy behind it. A jam isn’t a spontaneous act of bravado, but a deliberate decision based on experience, assessment, and gameplay tactics.

Professionals know: when someone jams, they don’t do it lightly – only when the situation truly calls for it.

Joker

The Joker is the all-rounder among playing cards. Depending on the game, it can substitute for other cards and complete a winning combination. Sometimes it creates that decisive moment; other times it simply adds a touch of chaos to the hand.

In short: the Joker is that little element of unpredictability that makes every card game exciting.

Jonah

In casino slang, a Jonah is someone said to bring bad luck – much like a “jinx.” Of course, it’s pure superstition, but in old gambling circles people used to say: “If Jonah’s at the table, better change your seat.”