Shoe (cards) Shoe (cards) A dealing shoe or dealer's shoe is a gaming device, mainly used in casinos, to hold multiple decks of playing cards. The shoe allows for more games to be played by reducing the time between shuffles and less chance of dealer cheating. In some games, such as blackjack (where card counting is a possibility), using multiple decks of cards can increase the house edge. Prior to 1961 in Las Vegas casinos, all blackjack was being dealt from a single deck. John Scarne proposed to the Nevada Gaming Control Board that a state ruling be enacted such that Blackjack
Talon (cards) table. In other games, there are however very different variations, for example in Königrufen. Talons may be placed face up or face down. Parlett describes a "kitty" as "the pool or pot being played for" or "a dead hand or widow". He also equates "talon" to "stock" as the "cards which are not dealt initially but may be drawn from or dealt out later in the play." The following are examples of games and the term usually used for talon. They are taken from Parlett unless otherwise indicated: Talon (cards) A talon (; French for "heel") in card games is