The concepts of "hot" and "cold" tables in blackjack refer to the perception that certain tables are experiencing streaks of winning or losing hands. Many players believe that a hot table is one where the dealer is frequently busting or players are winning, while a cold table is associated with consistent losses. However, these perceptions are largely based on cognitive biases and do not reflect the actual randomness of the game. Each hand in blackjack is independent, and past outcomes do not influence future hands, making the idea of hot or cold tables misleading.