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Rose Bailey | January 12, 2023 | Updated on: August 8th, 2024

Online Blackjack Glossary – Common Blackjack Terms

For new Blackjack players, learning all the common terms and terminology can be a little challenging. To help newer players become more comfortable with the game, we have created this Blackjack Glossary, which will help you become more familiar with the game.

Below, you will find all the most important Blackjack terms you should learn, in order to play the game properly.

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Blackjack Glossary: A – C

  • Anchorman – When playing in a land-based casino, the Anchorman term refers to the last player to play their round before it is the dealer’s turn.
  • Balanced Card – This is a system used for counting cards in Blackjack, where there is a balance before all the Plus value cards and Minus value cards. By adding all the cards in the deck together, the result would equal zero.
  • Basic Strategy – This is the most basic and famous Blackjack strategy, which will help guide players on when to hit, stand, double down, or split.
  • Bankroll – The term used to describe the amount of money a player has available to gamble
  • Blackjack – This refers to not only the name of the game, but also the best hand in the game. Blackjack is when you land an Ace and a 10-value card, equaling 21 with your first two cards. Typically earns a unique 3:2 payout.
  • Burn Card – Before any cards are dealt from the shoe, the dealer will remove one card and discard it. This is the burn card.
  • Bust – If any hand exceeds a value of 21, it is counted as a Bust, which is an instant loss
  • Bust Card – The card that causes a hand to go bust
  • Cold Deck – Should you keep losing hands, you can refer to the deck as a cold deck.
  • Constant Shuffle Machine – Used at some land-based casinos, this machine reshuffles the entire shoe after each hand is played. Typically, players are not fond of these machines.

Blackjack Terms: D -F

  • Discard – After a card has been dealt and played, it will be discarded. It will not be used again until the entire shoe is reshuffled. In Online Blackjack, or games that use constant shuffle machines, the shoe is completely reshuffled after every hand.
  • Double Down – An option when playing Blackjack. It allows players to double their initial bet, after the round has begun, but you will only be able to receive one more card. Only Double Down if you think you will have an excellent chance of winning
  • Even Money – This is a version of insurance offered in some Blackjack variants. If you have a Natural Blackjack and the dealer is showing an Ace, you can opt to take a 1:1 payout before the dealer reveals their next card. Remember, if they have Blackjack themselves, it is a push and you win nothing.
  • First Base – The player first in line next to the dealer, and is usually the first player to receive cards when the hands are being dealt.
  • Five Card Charlie – In some versions of Blackjack, a five-card Charlie is the second strongest hand in Blackjack. This is when you receive five cards without going bust.
  • Flat Betting – Flat Betting is a type of betting where players do not change the size of their bet. Whether you win or lose, you bet the same amount each round.
Glossary for Blackjack Online

Blackjack Glossary: G – L

  • Hard Hand – A Hard Hand is any Blackjack hand that does not contain an Ace. As such, the value of the hand is fixed.
  • Hit -When you wish to receive another card to try get closer to 21, you Hit
  • Hole Card – The dealer’s card that is dealt face down is the hole card. You will not know what it is until the dealer plays their hand.
  • House Edge – The term house edge is used to describe the advantage the casino has over players in order for the casino to be profitable. In Blackjack, the House Edge is typically around 2%, but skilled players can bring this down to less than 1%
  • Insurance – This is a special bet that players can make if the dealer is showing an Ace. It is meant to protect the player from getting Blackjack. If you place the bet and the dealer lands blackjack, you typically get a 2:1 payout.
  • Late Surrender – Some variants of Blackjack give players the option to surrender just before the dealer reveals their cards. If you take the surrender option, you will receive half your bet back.

Blackjack Terms: M – R

  • Multi-Deck – In most versions of Blackjack, the game uses six to eight decks of cars in the shoe.
  • Natural – Another name for Blackjack, hitting 21 with your first two cards
  • Push – A Tie in Blackjack is also known as a Push

Blackjack Glossary: S – Z

  • Shoe – The shoe is the machine that holds all the cards. Typically it holds between six and eight decks of cards.
  • Soft Hand – A hand that contains an Ace. Because Ace can be valued at 1 or 11, the hand’s value is not fixed.
  • Split – If you are dealt a pair of cards, you can Split them into two separate hands.
  • Stand – When you don’t want to receive any further cards.
  • Stiff – The term Stiff is used to describe any hand that could potentially exceed 21 with another card. Any hand valued at 12 or above is technically a Stiff Hand.
  • Surrender – The ability to forfeit a hand, in exchange for receiving half your bet back. You can use this if you think you have little chance of winning.
  • Toke – This is slang for a tip players leave a dealer in a land-based casino
  • Up Card – The dealer’s card that is dealt face up and visible to the player.

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