Beating blackjack requires knowledge of the words and phrases that make
up blackjack terminology or “language of blackjack”. Don’t
go anywhere near a blackjack table unless you have read this blackjack glossary.
Blackjack – No blackjack glossary is complete without this one!
Two cards totaling 21 consisting of an Ace and another card with a value
of ten.
Twenty one or “21” – three or more cards totaling 21
or as close to 21 as possible.
Odds – the mathematical chances that a particular event will occur
Pit – a group of blackjack tables
Pit Boss – supervising staff of the “pit”. They make
sure everyone follows the rules of the house.
Shoe – a box containing multiple decks of cards
Insurance – a separate bet when the dealer’s up card is an
ace.
Hit – blackjack terminology for requesting another card from the dealer
Stand – when you are satisfied with your hand request no further
cards from the dealer
Double Down – After the first two cards are dealt, the player may
double the initial bet in exchange for one more card. They must turn up
both of the first initial cards dealt.
Natural – blackjack terminology for two cards totaling twenty one,
also known as “Blackjack”
Pair Splitting – When the first two cards are dealt are of equal
value you have the option of playing each at the same time as two separate
hands.
Bust – the total of your blackjack hand is over 21.
Push – a tie between the player and the dealer. The player gets
their bet back, but wins nothing.
Action – the total amount of bets in a certain period of time. 5
bets of $25 equal $125 of action.
Surrender – you give up during the play and lose just half your
bet
Cut Card – a card or card shaped piece of plastic used to cut the
deck.
Hole Card – a card that is face down.
Hard hand – a hand that has no ace or the ace is counted as one,
not eleven.
Soft hand – a hand when the ace is counted as 11
Pat hand – a hand that is not bust and totals a minimum of 17
First Base – the seat nearest the shoe or the seat to receive cards
from the dealer first. Usually the seat furthest to the left of the dealer.
Third Base – the seat furthest from the shoe or the last to receive
cards from the dealer. Usually the seat furthest to the right of the dealer.
Card Counting – a strategy of remembering which cards have been
played and which ones remain in the deck and use this to gain advantage
against the dealer
Shill – usually a casino employee hired to sit at empty blackjack
tables to attract players. They will usually have a lot of chips to make
it look like they have been winning at this table.
Knowing blackjack terminology is just the beginning. Now that you know our
blackjack glossary inside and out, you can study up on blackjack strategy
and know what we are talking about!
