Blackjack Terms & Glossary
Basic Strategy
Computer devised strategy that informs the player what the best play is given his first two cards and the dealers upcard.
Blackjack (Natural)
First two cards dealt are any 10 card and an Ace. Most often pays 3:2 (1.5x) original bet. Occurs approximately 1 out of 21 hands.
Break (or Bust)
Going over a total of 21. Automatic loss of bet.
Card Counting
Method of keeping "count" of both high and low cards. Player adjusts his bet based on the count.
Doubling or Doubling Down
Player option that allows him to adds chips, up to the maximum of his original bet, and receives only one additional card to his hand.
Doubling After Splitting (DAS)
Player option to Double after splitting a pair.
Early Surrender
See "Surrender."
Exposed Card
See "Upcard."
Face Card
Any card that has a "face" on it: Jack, Queen, or King. Values at 10. Also known as "Paint."
First Base
First player seat closest to dealers left. See also "Third Base."
Flat Betting
Betting the same amount on every dealt hand.
Floor
Low level casino supervisor who assists dealers as necessary. Keeps an eye on both the players and dealers.
Hard Hand or Total
A hand that contains no aces; or a hand with an Ace that must be counted as a "1" in order to not exceed "21."
Hit
Taking an additional card from the dealer.
Hole Card
The dealer's card that is face down on the table.
House
Another word used for the casino.
Insurance
When the dealer shows an Ace, he will make an offer to "insure" your hand at 2-1. This means the player can put up half his original bet to "insure" he doesn't lose if the dealer has a Blackjack. If the dealer does not have blackjack the "insurance" is still collected. If he does, the original bet is collected and insurance is paid at 2-1.
Late Surrender
See "Surrender."
Marker
Credit extended to a player by the casino.
Natural
Another world for "Blackjack"
Nickel
A $5 chip. Red in most casinos.
Pat Card
Dealer upcard of 7 or greater. Generally results in a "Pat Hand."
Pat Hand
Hand totaling 17-21.
Pit
An area in the casino containing multiple tables. Overseen by a "Pit Boss."
Pit Boss
Casino employee watching over and assisting the "floors" in the casino "Pit."
Push
Another word for "tie." Player keeps his original bet.
Quarters
$25 chip. Usually green in color.
Resplitting
After "splitting" if a single card receives another like value card (i.e. a pair), then that pair may then be "split" again.
Shoe
The oblong "box" that resembles a shoe box that the dealer pulls cards from when dealing blackjack. Game with 4 or more decks are always dealt from a "shoe."
Silver
$1 Chip. Often white in color.
Soft Hand or Total
Hand which contains an ace. That ace may be counted as a "1" or "11."
Splitting
When a player is dealt a pair of like cards (e.g. two 7s) he may "split" them into two separate hands by placing an equal bet to the original bet.
Stand
Player decision to not take another card or "hit."
Stiff Card
A card with a value of 2-6. When the dealer shows a "stiff" card, he has a greater likelihood to "bust."
Stiff Hand
Hand totaling 12-16. It is a hand that can "bust" if another card is taken.
Surrender
Player option of "giving up" your hand for half your wager. This must be done before the dealer shows his "hole card" and prior to taking any "hits."
In "early" surrender, you may "surrender" before the dealer checks for a Blackjack. I've never seen "early" surrender offered at any casino. It is highly advantageous to the player.
In "late" surrender, you may only "surrender" after the dealer checks for Blackjack.
10-Value-Card
Any 10, jack, queen or king.
Third Base
Sometimes known as the "anchor." It is the last chair to the dealers right. This player makes the final play before the dealer.
Toke
Another word for a "tip" given to the dealer.
Unit
A standard bet size used to vary bets in increments. May be any amount (e.g. $5, $10, $25, etc.) For example: playing with a $5 bet unit, and you want to wager 2 "units," you'll bet $10.
Upcard
The dealer's face up or exposed card.
Computer devised strategy that informs the player what the best play is given his first two cards and the dealers upcard.
Blackjack (Natural)
First two cards dealt are any 10 card and an Ace. Most often pays 3:2 (1.5x) original bet. Occurs approximately 1 out of 21 hands.
Break (or Bust)
Going over a total of 21. Automatic loss of bet.
Card Counting
Method of keeping "count" of both high and low cards. Player adjusts his bet based on the count.
Doubling or Doubling Down
Player option that allows him to adds chips, up to the maximum of his original bet, and receives only one additional card to his hand.
Doubling After Splitting (DAS)
Player option to Double after splitting a pair.
Early Surrender
See "Surrender."
Exposed Card
See "Upcard."
Face Card
Any card that has a "face" on it: Jack, Queen, or King. Values at 10. Also known as "Paint."
First Base
First player seat closest to dealers left. See also "Third Base."
Flat Betting
Betting the same amount on every dealt hand.
Floor
Low level casino supervisor who assists dealers as necessary. Keeps an eye on both the players and dealers.
Hard Hand or Total
A hand that contains no aces; or a hand with an Ace that must be counted as a "1" in order to not exceed "21."
Hit
Taking an additional card from the dealer.
Hole Card
The dealer's card that is face down on the table.
House
Another word used for the casino.
Insurance
When the dealer shows an Ace, he will make an offer to "insure" your hand at 2-1. This means the player can put up half his original bet to "insure" he doesn't lose if the dealer has a Blackjack. If the dealer does not have blackjack the "insurance" is still collected. If he does, the original bet is collected and insurance is paid at 2-1.
Late Surrender
See "Surrender."
Marker
Credit extended to a player by the casino.
Natural
Another world for "Blackjack"
Nickel
A $5 chip. Red in most casinos.
Pat Card
Dealer upcard of 7 or greater. Generally results in a "Pat Hand."
Pat Hand
Hand totaling 17-21.
Pit
An area in the casino containing multiple tables. Overseen by a "Pit Boss."
Pit Boss
Casino employee watching over and assisting the "floors" in the casino "Pit."
Push
Another word for "tie." Player keeps his original bet.
Quarters
$25 chip. Usually green in color.
Resplitting
After "splitting" if a single card receives another like value card (i.e. a pair), then that pair may then be "split" again.
Shoe
The oblong "box" that resembles a shoe box that the dealer pulls cards from when dealing blackjack. Game with 4 or more decks are always dealt from a "shoe."
Silver
$1 Chip. Often white in color.
Soft Hand or Total
Hand which contains an ace. That ace may be counted as a "1" or "11."
Splitting
When a player is dealt a pair of like cards (e.g. two 7s) he may "split" them into two separate hands by placing an equal bet to the original bet.
Stand
Player decision to not take another card or "hit."
Stiff Card
A card with a value of 2-6. When the dealer shows a "stiff" card, he has a greater likelihood to "bust."
Stiff Hand
Hand totaling 12-16. It is a hand that can "bust" if another card is taken.
Surrender
Player option of "giving up" your hand for half your wager. This must be done before the dealer shows his "hole card" and prior to taking any "hits."
In "early" surrender, you may "surrender" before the dealer checks for a Blackjack. I've never seen "early" surrender offered at any casino. It is highly advantageous to the player.
In "late" surrender, you may only "surrender" after the dealer checks for Blackjack.
10-Value-Card
Any 10, jack, queen or king.
Third Base
Sometimes known as the "anchor." It is the last chair to the dealers right. This player makes the final play before the dealer.
Toke
Another word for a "tip" given to the dealer.
Unit
A standard bet size used to vary bets in increments. May be any amount (e.g. $5, $10, $25, etc.) For example: playing with a $5 bet unit, and you want to wager 2 "units," you'll bet $10.
Upcard
The dealer's face up or exposed card.
