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The following guide will walk you through essential terms you should know. Nail these, and you’ll sound like a pro wherever you sit down for a blackjack game.
Let’s dive in!
Important Blackjack Terms
Here are all the terms that will help you understand the game and its inner workings.
86’d
This term is used for players thrown out of a casino, usually because of suspected foul or advantage play.
21
The game of blackjack is often referred to as 21.
Ace
This card can count as one or 11 in blackjack.
Ace Poor/Rich
An instance where a higher/lower number of aces has been dealt. If more aces have been dealt then it’s ace poor. Alternatively, if a game has gone through fewer aces, then it’s ace rich.
Action
It refers to the total amount of money a player has wagered at a certain point in the game.
Advantage
Describes the theoretical value a player or a casino has during the game.
Advantage Player
This term describes a player who only bets when the mathematical advantage is in their favor.
Anchorman
Anchorman is the last player to act before the dealer.
Automated Shuffling Machine
Most casinos use these machines to shuffle cards after the shoe is finished.
Bankroll
The total amount of money you use for gambling is called a bankroll.
Bet Behind
This is a side bet not participating players use. You can bet behind a player on their hand.
Back Count
The process of counting cards while not playing the game.
Blackjack
The name of the game and the best starting hand you can receive — an ace and a ten.
Burn Card
The first card the dealer takes and places face-down is called the burn card. There’s no way of knowing which card it is until the dealer reveals it.
Bust
When you bust, it means your hand exceeds 21, and you automatically lose the bet.
Card Counting
Card counting is a popular strategy used in blackjack to gain an advantage. Essentially, it entails following the cards and knowing which ones have been dealt.
Cold Deck
If the shoe gives away low-value cards one after another and causes players to lose too much money, it’s known as a cold deck.
Color Up
It refers to a moment when a player asks to exchange his low-value chips for several high-value ones of a different color.
Cut Card
It’s a plastic card the dealer utilizes to cut the deck after shuffling. Once players reach that card, the dealer reshuffles the deck.
Deck
The deck is a set of 52 cards.
Discards
All played and dealt cards are called discards. Once the game is over, they are re-introduced and shuffled.
Double Down
A player can double down to double the winnings. At that moment, the dealer introduces another card to the player’s hand.
Early Surrender
This option allows players to surrender their hands only before the dealer checks their cards. In this case, the player loses half the bet.
Face Card
Face cards are Jacks, Queens, and Kings.
Five Card Charlie
If a player draws five cards and doesn’t bust, they automatically win.
Flat Bet
If a player wagers the same amount hand after hand, it’s called flat betting.
Hand
A hand is a combination of cards held by the dealer/player.
Hard Hand
This is a hand without an ace or when an ace has a value of one.
Hard Total
This term refers to the total value of cards in hand when the ace is valued as one.
Hit
You hit when you want the dealer to give you another card.
Hit 17
This notes a blackjack rule when the dealer should hit on soft 17.
Hole Card
This card represents the dealer’s face-down card.
High Roller
A high roller is a player that wagers large sums. Sometimes, high rollers are called whales.
House Edge
The theoretical winning percentage a casino has against a player.
Insurance
You can place an insurance bet when you think the dealer has a blackjack. You can only place it if the ace is the upcard. It pays 2:1.
Late Surrender
This rule allows players to surrender their hands after the dealer checks for blackjack. In this case, you’d also lose half your wager.
Martingale System
This popular betting system allows you to double your wager on a loss.
Natural (Blackjack)
If a player/dealer has a natural blackjack, their hand has an ace and a 10-value card.
Pit
The pit is the area of the table you sit at while playing blackjack. The pit boss overlooks it.
Preferential Shuffle
A casino can shuffle cards at any moment during the game, minimizing the opportunities for card counting.
Ploppy
A ploppy is a weak player that doesn’t apply card counting or any other winning strategy to their gameplay.
Round
A round of blackjack begins when no cards are on the table after the players have placed their wagers. It ends when the winnings have been paid out.
Second Dealing
This refers to a moment when the dealer picks the second card, not the top one, from the shoe. It’s used for cheating.
Seven Card Charlie
Players automatically win when they draw seven cards and don’t bust.
Shoe
A shoe is a device that can hold multiple decks of cards. Dealers use it to deal cards.
Shuffle
Shuffling is the process of mixing cards before the game begins.
Soft Hand
A soft blackjack hand is a hand with an ace that can be one or 11.
Soft Total
This refers to the total value of the cards that use an ace as 11 without going bust.
Split
Split is a blackjack rule that lets the player split their hand if they have two cards of the same value.
Stand
You can choose to stand if you like your hand and don’t want an additional card.
Stand 17
This blackjack rule requires the dealer to stand on soft 17.
Upcard
An upcard is the only dealer’s card you can see. It’s dealt face-up.
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