Blackjack Terms

Key Blackjack Terms and Their Meaning

Blackjack is a casino game adored by many, as it combines both skill and luck. Making optimal decisions on each hand is crucial, because strategic play reduces the house edge and increases your long-term chances of winning. Although there are numerous blackjack variations, they all share a similar layout, gameplay, and rules. That said, you should always be aware of the specific rules of the version you are about to play.

Before you start playing blackjack, you must be familiar with all the terms you may encounter during your sessions. Knowing key terms will also help you learn more about the game of 21 and the correct strategy to implement during your blackjack sessions. Below, we have compiled a glossary of common blackjack terms to help you learn everything you need to know about this casino classic.

Blackjack Glossary

When it comes to blackjack, one of the first things players should learn is the possible moves they can make on each hand. It is also essential to know the additional terms used during play so you can fully understand the other participants and what they are referring to. By knowing the proper name for a particular situation or hand, players show that they are truly dedicated to blackjack.

1. Hit: To draw an extra card.

   

2. Draw: Another term for the move “hit”
3. Twist: Another name for the move “hit” used in the popular blackjack variation Pontoon.
4. Double Down: To double the original bet.

   

5. Stand: To continue the game without drawing any extra cards.

   

6. Split: To separate a pair of equally ranked cards and create two independent hands.

   

7. Insurance: A side bet that pays out if the dealer has blackjack.

   

8. Surrender: To give up a losing hand and retain half of the original bet.

   

9. Early Surrender: To give up a hand before the dealer checks for blackjack.
10. Late Surrender: To give up a hand after the dealer has checked for blackjack.
11. Dealer: The person who represents the casino and is responsible for dealing the cards and conducting the game.
12. House Edge: Measured as a percentage, it indicates the built-in advantage the casino has over players.
13. House: Another word for a casino.
14. Pit Boss: A casino representative who closely monitors the tables for any forbidden activity.
15. Hole Card: The dealer’s face-down second card, whose value is hidden from the players.
16. Up Card: The dealer’s face-up card, visible to all players.
17. Face Cards: Cards that have pictures on them – Jacks, Queens, and Kings.
18. Soft Total: A hand that contains an Ace valued at eleven.
19. Hard Total: The opposite of a soft total – a hand that contains no Ace, or one in which the Ace is counted as one.
20. Stiff Hand: A hand whose total value is between 12 and 16 and will exceed 21 if the player hits.
21. Push: Also known as a tie—when both the dealer and the player have the same total, so nobody wins the round.
22. Blackjack: The highest winning hand in the game, consisting of an Ace and a 10-valued card.
23. Twenty-One: Another name for blackjack.
24. Deck: A standard deck is made up of fifty-two playing cards.
25. Deck Penetration: The proportion of the shoe that is dealt before the cards are shuffled again.
26. Multiple Deck Game: A game that features several packs of cards, most often six or eight.
27. Shuffle: The random mixing of cards performed by the dealer.
28. Shoe: A box on the table that holds the decks used in the game.
29. Shoe Game: A game in which the cards are dealt from a shoe.
30. Discard Tray: The tray where discarded cards are placed.
31. Bust: Also known as “break” it occurs when the total value of a player’s hand exceeds 21, resulting in an instant loss.
32. Basic Strategy: A blackjack system that determines the optimal move for every combination of the player’s hand and the dealer’s up card.
33. Card Counter: A player who keeps track of the value of cards left in the deck, giving them a significant advantage over the casino.
34. Card Counting: A strategy that involves tracking the cards dealt to determine the ratio of high-value to low-value cards remaining, thereby gaining an advantage over the casino.
35. Hi-Lo: One of the most popular balanced card-counting systems.
36. Cut Card: A plastic card used to indicate the point at which the dealer has to reshuffle the cards.
37. First Base: The first seat to the dealer’s left; the player here receives the initial cards first and acts first.
38. Third Base: The seat to the dealer’s right; the player here is the last to act.
39. Flat Betting: Wagering the same amount on every hand without changing the betting pattern.
40. Unit: The standard size of an individual bet.
41. Bankroll: The budget a blackjack player sets aside for a betting session.
42. Betting Limit: The minimum and maximum amounts a particular blackjack table allows per hand.
43. Wager: Another word for bet, used in real-money blackjack.
44. Checks: Another word for chips.
45. High Roller: A player who tends to place large bets.
46. Hand-Held Games: Blackjack games in which the dealer holds the cards in their hand.

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Conclusion

It is extremely important to be familiar with the blackjack glossary to fully understand and enjoy the game. Once you know the terminology, you can play correctly and participate in every round with confidence. Although the terms listed above may seem numerous, they are easy to remember and, once learned, hard to forget. Casinos introduced this terminology to make the game unique and to help players feel included in the thrilling blackjack experience.