Common Blackjack Terms

Common Blackjack Terms

In order to become a competent Blackjack player, you need to know the basic Blackjack terms used in the game. Without knowing Blackjack terminology, you will not be able to comprehend basic Blackjack rules, Blackjack strategy, and other nuances of the game. It may also be difficult to enjoy your game to its fullest extent because, in some respects, your understanding of the game will be less than comprehensive.

The below Blackjack terms refer to basic words used at the Blackjack table, including Blackjack slang. Blackjack slang words are merely popular terms endemic to the game, and are similar to the ones you’ll find in other venues. While you don’t have to memorize the Blackjack glossary, but reading it will provide you an operational knowledge of Blackjack terminology that is essential for online Blackjack play.

Online casinos often present Blackjack terms and Blackjack slang in a glossary posted on their site. These glossaries help players understand the language specific to their site. We feel strongly that a working knowledge of the terms and slang associated with the game of Blackjack will enhance both your enjoyment and competency.

Blackjack Terminology

21
Another name for the game of Blackjack.
5 or 6 or 7 Card Charlie This refers to the number of cards in a hand with a total score of 21 or less.

B
Back Counting
Back Counting is engaging in card counting, though not in the game. Someone who is involved in this activity usually holds off until the time is favourable to enter the game. It is the normal practice today for dealers to reshuffle the deck whenever a new player enters the game.
Bankroll
The money that a player sets aside for gambling purposes. The term typically applies to the amount of money that players put in a game and not the money on their person.
Betting Limits
The lowest and highest bets that are permitted by the land or online casino at a particular game.
Blackjack
A hand composed of an Ace and a 10-value card, such as a 10, Jack, Queen or King with a score of 21. This hand generally pays off at 3 to 2, with the exception of when a pair of Aces are split.
Busted
A Blackjack hand whose value is greater than 21. This hand is an automatic loser.
Bust Hand
A hand with a total score between 12 and 16 that can “bust” with another card, giving it a value more than 21. This also denotes a hand that will probably exceed 21 with the addition of another card.

C
Counting Cards
A Blackjack skill in which players maintain a precise mental record of the cards that appeared during the course of a game. This system provides players with an accurate estimation of the remaining cards in the deck still to be dealt. There are positive and negative weights assigned to the numerical value of the cards, and the total weight changes as each card is turned over. This weight allows a player to enter a game at the most propitious time, and enables players to make larger bets and devise alternatives to their playing strategies. Casino personnel readily remove from their casinos card counters who are caught in the act.
Casino Edge
This is the advantage that the casino holds on any bet in the casino parlour. In Blackjack, the casino edge is generally less than .05%.

D
Double Down
Refers to a Blackjack action in which a player may double his or her first bet and receive only one more card. No additional cards can be dealt to that player after doubling down.
Draw
Taking another card for your hand in order to get your score closer to 21 without exceeding that total.

E
Early Surrender
A rule that allows players to surrender their hands even if the dealer has Blackjack.

F
Face Card
This refers to a King, Queen or a Jack. They are also known as Picture Cards.

H
Hard Count
The true score of a hand.
Hard Doubling
A double down bet that is allowed on the first two cards if neither card is an Ace.
Hard Hand
A hand with no Ace, or a hand in which the Ace can only be valued as a 1.

I
Insurance
A side bet placed when the dealer shows an Ace. Intended to offset a player’s potential losses, the total side bed may be up to half of initial bet. Placing an insurance bet is a bet that the dealer has Blackjack. An insurance win pays off at 2 to 1 odds.

N
Natural
This refers to a hand in which the first two cards that a player receives total 21. The hand consists of an Ace combined with a card that has a value of 10 (10 and Picture Cards).

P
Pat Hand
A starting hand with a total score between 17 and 21. Pat hands are strong hands and players should not request any additional cards.
Peek
A dealer who looks to see if he has Blackjack prior to a player’s decision to request additional cards. This rule gives the advantage to the player, since it prevents him from splitting and doubling down.
Push
A tie between the player and the dealer.

S
Soft Hand
A hand with an Ace that can be valued at either an 11 or a 1.
Splitting Pairs
This occurs when a player’s initial two cards have the same value, or rank. For example, 5-5 or 8-8 are situations in which splitting pairs are allowed. Once you split a pair, you must bet equal amounts on both bets. Then, you play both hands independently.
Stand
A signal of some kind or a push of the stand button in online Blackjack to show that the player is content with his hand and does not desire any more cards. In land casinos, the signal is generally a sweeping motion with your hand, palm down.