Blackjack Glossary
- A- Common name for an ace.
- Betting limits- The established minimum and maximum bets at a particular blackjack table.
- Blackjack- The name of the game, but also the term for a two-card hand that totals 21.
- Burn card- Card placed at the bottom of the deck or tray after the cards have been cut.
- Bust- A hand that has totaled more than 21. This is also known as 'busting out. Some use the term 'break' or 'breaking out' instead.
- Card counting- A blackjack strategy where the player attempts to count which cards have been played since the last shuffle. The theory is that by doing this, they can better predict which cards will come later and therefore increase their odds of winning.
- Cut card- A card of a different color that is used to cut decks before play.
- Early surrender- The practice of a player ending their play after they see their two cards, but before the dealer checks for a blackjack. The result is that the player will automatically lose half of the bet they put down for that hand.
- Even money- Occurs when a player hits blackjack and the dealer has an ace showing, and means that you get twice your original bet back.
- Expected win rate- A percentage of their bets that a player can expect to win or lose over a given amount of games.
- Face cards- Term given to all jacks, queens and kings in a deck of cards.
- First base- Common term for the seat directly to the left of the dealer.
- Hard hand- Slang term given a hand that has an ace valued at one instead of eleven.
- Hit- What a player says when they want another card added to their hand by the dealer.
- Hole card- The card held by the dealer that is face-down.
- Insurance- A side bet allowed in blackjack when the dealer has an ace showing in their hand. You are betting that they have a 'natural' (two cards equaling 21) in their hand. If they do, you get paid double your bet.
- Natural- Name for a hand that has only two cards and equals 21. Also known simply as blackjack.
- Push- Also known as a tie; occurs when the dealer and player have same point total in their hands without a bust. No bets are collected or paid.
- Shoe- Casino device that holds multiple decks of cards, used at multi-deck blackjack tables.
- Soft hand- Name given a hand that has an ace valued at eleven instead of one.
- Stand- Means a player chooses to decline taking more cards into their hand. Sometimes called a 'stay'.
- Surrender- Act of giving up half your bet in order to stop playing in a particular hand. The casino gets the other half of the bet.
- Toke- A gratuity or tip given your dealer.
- Up card- Term for a dealer's card that is face-up.