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Blackjack Glossary
Ace
Ace is the only card that can have two values, either 1 or 11. An Ace is required for a Blackjack, along with a 10, Jack, Queen or King.
Action
The total money wagered during a session.
Anchor
The seat to the dealer's right, and the last player to be dealt. (Also known as Third Base.)
Banker
In Blackjack, the dealer serves as the banker, the person who takes the bets, collects the money and pays the winner.
Bankroll
The total amount of money the player intends to bet.
Basic Strategy
A playing strategy intended to minimize the house's edge and representing the best plays based on the player's first two cards and the dealer's face-up card.
Betting Circle
The area on the Blackjack table immediately in front of each player where the player places his wager.
Black Chip
$100 chip.
Blackjack
Two cards, initially dealt, before any draws, totaling 21: an Ace and a 10, Jack, Queen or King.
Break
A hand exceeding a total point value of 21. (Also known as a bust.)
Burn Cards
One or more cards that the dealer discards and removes from play immediately after shuffling and cutting the deck.
Bust
A hand exceeding a total point value of 21. (Also known as a break.)
Card Counting
A system of play to minimize the house's edge and maximize the player's edge. Each face card is assigned a weight. The successful card-counter can assess whether the odds are in his or her favor or the house's favor and adjust wagers accordingly.
Cut
Split the deck in two before the cards are dealt.
Cut Card
A solid-colored plastic card used to cut the decks after shuffling.
Deal
Distribute the cards.
Discard Tray
A tray controlled by the dealer that holds all the cards that have been burned, discarded or played.
Draw
Add a card to the dealer's or player's current hand.
Double Down
Rules on doubling down vary by casino, but generally doubling down involves doubling a bet after the initial two cards are dealt. The player turns over both initial cards, places an additional wager equal to the original wager, and gets exactly one additional card.
Double for Less
When allowed, same as double down, except that the player can place an additional bet for less than the original wager.
Early Surrender
Rule allowing the player to lose half the bet when a dealer shows an Ace or 10 before peeking to determine if he or she has a natural 21.
Even Money
Anytime a player receives 1:1, and wins nothing, but loses nothing. There are two instances where this may happen:
- When a player is dealt a Blackjack, and the dealer is showing an Ace, the player has the option of taking 1:1 or even money before the dealer shows his or her card.
- When the player takes insurance and wins the insurance side bet (see Insurance).
Face Cards
Jacks, Queens and Kings, each with a point value of 10.
Face Down Game
The first or both initial cards are dealt face down, so that only the player knows the value of the face down cards.
Face Up Game
Both initial player cards are dealt face up.
First Base
The position at the table that is to the dealer's immediate left. This is the first player to receive a card.
Flat Bet
When a player wagers the same amount of money on each hand without variation, he or she is placing flat bets.
Green Chip
$25 chip.
Hard Hand
A hand without an Ace, or a hand with an Ace where the Ace is valued at 1 point.
Head's Up
Also known as heads on, playing Blackjack head-to-head with the dealer. A game with no other players at the table.
Hit
To add an additional card to the hand after the initial deal.
Hole Cards
Face down cards, the value of which is known only to the person holding the cards.
House
The casino.
House Percentage
The house's edge over the player.
Insurance
An additional side bet, up to � of the original bet, available to players after the initial deal when the dealer shows an Ace. If the dealer turns up a natural 21, the player with insurance is paid 2:1 on the insurance bet, but not the original bet. If a player bets � the original bet for insurance, and loses the hand, he or she wins even money.
Late Surrender
The player gives up the hand and only loses half the bet. Allowed after the initial cards are dealt and the dealer determines that he or she does not have a natural 21.
Natural
A hand that equals 21 immediately after the deal specifically an Ace and a card with a value of 10.
Pair
Two initially dealt cards of identical numerical value.
Pat Hand
A hand with a point value between 17 and 21.
Pair Split
When a player is dealt cards of equal numerical value, he or she has the ability to split the cards into two hands and place an additional wager equal to the original wager on the second hand.
Peek
If the dealer's up-card is an Ace, he or she 'peeks' at the hole card to determine if the hand is a Blackjack.
Point Count
The total value of the hand and the end of the hand.
Push
Tie hand where the dealer's hand and the player's hand have the same value and the wager is returned to the player. Also known as a draw, tie, or stand-off.
Red Chip
$5 chip.
Settlement
At the end of the hand, when bets are resolved and either the dealer or the player takes the chips.
Shoe
The box that holds the undealt cards.
Shuffle Up
Shuffling the cards prematurely to annoy and discourage suspected card counters.
Soft Hand
A hand with an Ace where the Ace can be counted as 11 without exceeding a total point value of 21.
Split Hand
See Pair Split.
Stand
To refuse an additional card.
Surrender
The option of giving up your hand, losing only half your bet.
Ten-Value Card
Any card with a value of 10: 10, Jack, Queen, King.
Third Base
The seat to the dealer's right and the last seat to be dealt.
Tie
The dealer and the player have a hand with an identical numerical value and no one wins or loses. (Also known as push or stand off.)
Upcard
A face-up card.
