Blackjack is a fun and exciting casino classic that’s relatively easy to get started with. As a novice player, you can start playing Blackjack after reviewing the gameplay rules and watching a few rounds of gaming action.
But as you continue playing Blackjack, you’d want to get acquainted with other game aspects. And one of them is the Blackjack glossary. Continue reading as we detail and explain the most commonly used Blackjack terms.
Anchorman
This Blackjack term refers to the last player to act before the croupier/dealer.
Ace Poor
Ace Poor is a card counting term. It means fewer Aces have been dealt in the Blackjack round than statistically expected.
Ace Rich
An Ace Rich Blackjack round is one where an above-average number of Ace cards have been dealt.
Bankroll
Put, bankroll refers to the amount of money a player has set aside to wager specifically on Blackjack games. This is a standard casino gambling term whose usage can also be found in other online casino games.
Basic strategy
No Blackjack glossary guide is complete without this Blackjack term. The basic blackjack system details the most optimal way to play any given Blackjack hand.
Blackjack
Of course, it’s the name of the casino title. But it’s also used when a player receives the highest point total of 21.
Box
This is the area where the player places their playing cards and chips.
Burn card
When playing Blackjack games, the dealer draws a face-down card at the start of every Blackjack round. This card is referred to as the burn card.
Bust
Bust says that the player or dealer has exceeded the highest point total of 21.
Buy-in
Buy-in is the amount a Blackjack player wagers to participate in a Blackjack game.
Chipping down or up
To chip down means to lower your stake amount from what you’ve wagered in the last round. Similarly, chipping up means increasing your wager amount.
Double down
To double down means drawing an additional card by placing a wager double your initial stake size.
Early surrender
7 Card Blackjack and some other Blackjack games allow players to forfeit their hand before the dealer checks for Blackjack. Here, players receive half of their wager.
Even money
If you have a natural Blackjack and the dealer’s up-card shows an Ace, you can take a 1:1 payout. This Blackjack rule is known as even money.
Hit and stand
Hit and stand are the two basic wagering options in any Blackjack game. To hit means to draw an additional card from the dealer. On the other hand, you go with the stand option if you don’t want to take any extra cards.
House edge
House edge in Blackjack is the expected advantage that a gambling venue has over its players.
Insurance
This is a side betting option that protects your hand against the dealer having a Blackjack. The insurance wager is available only when the croupier’s hole card shows an Ace.
Heads up
Heads up is a Blackjack game played between one player and one dealer. Experienced players would notice that most Blackjack online games are played this way.
Kelly Betting
This is an optimal Blackjack betting system inspired by the Kelly Criterion formula.
Lucky Ladies
Blackjack Lucky Ladies is a popular side bet on the initial hand of two cards. Here, players wager that the combined total of the first two cards will be 20.
Monkey
An alternative term for picture cards in Blackjack games.
Pair
A pair is when two Blackjack cards carry the same value and are from the same suit.
Push
A push is when the player and the dealer tie with the exact point total.
Shuffling
Shuffling is randomising the order of playing cards before they are dealt. The dealer is responsible for manually shuffling the cards in some Blackjack games. Other Blackjack games may see the cards shuffling using an automatic shuffling machine.
Soft hand
This is a Blackjack hand that consists of an Ace.
Surrender
This Blackjack rule allows you to forfeit your initial hand and get a 50% refund.
Toke
The term token refers to the act of tipping in Blackjack games.
Up card
This is the dealer’s initial card that’s dealt face-up.
