Before sitting down and playing a hand, it’s important that players familiarise themselves with all of the basic blackjack terminology. This can help to ensure that they’re never caught off guard, while also helping them to follow casino etiquette.
This Blackjack glossary can help players across all variations of the game, including unique titles such as Free Bet Blackjack and Mega Fire Blaze Blackjack, amongst others. Now, let’s dive into our list of the most popular blackjack terms explained!
Anchorman
Sometimes referred to as ‘Third Base’, the ‘Anchorman’ is the last person to act before the dealer flips their and starts their turn.
Bankroll
A bankroll is the total number of funds that a player has allocated for a session of Blackjack. This should be decided on in advance, helping players to stay in control at all times. A bankroll should only ever consist of funds that players are prepared to lose.
Blackjack
A blackjack is a hand that consists of an Ace and a card valued at ten (10, J, Q, K,). On most blackjack tables, this will be awarded at the rate of 3 to 2.
Burn Card
The burn card is a card that is discarded after a deal and cut. This is one of the Blackjack terms that ensures the game is being played fairly and that players and dealers do not know what card will be dealt first.
Bust
‘Busting’ is when a hand goes over 21 and is automatically marked as a loss. If the player busts, their bet will be taken by the dealer, regardless of how their hand plays out. Alternatively, if the dealer busts, all players who avoided busting themselves will be successful!
Cold Deck
A cold deck refers to the shoe of cards that aren’t running favourably for the players. Should the dealer seemingly be winning again and again, the deck would be referred to as cold.
Colour Up
The term ‘Colouring Up’ refers to when a player changes their low-denomination chips into higher-valued ones. For example, exchanging 5 chips worth 5.00 each for a 25.00 chip.
Cut Card
A cut card, as the name suggests, is given to one player by the dealer in order to cut the deck. Throughout the game, as the deck is depleted, the dealer will reach the cut card, at which point a new deck is needed.
Discards
At the end of a round, all cards that have been used will be collected and played into a ‘Discard Tray’. The cards themselves are known as the ‘Discards’.
Double Down
In Blackjack terms, doubling down is when players place down another bet that is equal to their initial one. They will then be dealt one more card only before their turn ends.
Even Money
Even Money is a side bet that is offered to players that have a Blackjack, while the dealer is showing an Ace as their face-up card. If the players take this side bet, their Blackjack is awarded at ‘Even Money’ or 1 to 1, regardless of whether the dealer has a Blackjack or not. Of course, players can also choose to decline the side bet, with their Blackjack either pushing (If the dealer has one, too) or being awarded at 3 to 2.
Hard Hand
A hard hand is any hand that doesn’t contain an Ace. This means that it can only represent one value.
House Edge
The house edge is an advantage that the casino has over the player. In Blackjack, this is achieved by ensuring that the player acts first. An average house edge for Blackjack sits in the region of 0.50% to 2.00%.
Insurance
Insurance is another side bet that is offered to players when the dealer is showing an ace. Players can wager up to half of their initial stake size, and if the dealer does have a blackjack, it’s awarded at 2 to 1.
Flat Betting
Perhaps one of the most basic blackjack terms is flat betting, a strategy that means the player doesn’t adjust their stake size through a session. Each bet is the same size.
Multi Deck
This applies to most Blackjack games and as the name suggests, it refers to when more than one deck is used to play.
Natural
Another piece of basic Blackjack terminology to learn is ‘Natural’, a two-card hand that adds up to 21. Of course, this is also known as a Blackjack.
Pit
Now for some blackjack terminology casino style. The pit is a place at land-based casinos where staff sit to oversee the action. It’s typically manned by one person, known as a ‘Pit Boss’.
Push
A push is another way of saying ‘tie’. It’s when the dealer and the player have the same number in total, meaning that the bet is returned.
Split
A split is an action that players can choose when they are dealt two cards of the same value. To do this, players must place another bet that is the same size as their initial one, with two hands being created as a result.
Stand
Standing is the opposite of hitting. When players are happy with their hand, they can choose to stand, ending their turn.
Surrender
In some variations of Blackjack, players can opt to ‘Surrender’. This means that they forfeit their hand, but half of their initial size is awarded back to them.
Toke
A Toke is a tip that some players will give to the dealer. It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t mandatory, but some punters tip the dealer with a percentage of their winnings if they’ve gotten lucky.
Up Card
Finally, the up card refers to the card in the dealer’s hand that is visible to everyone on the table. This can help players to make decisions regarding the cards they have.
Conclusion
Whether it’s blackjack dealer terminology or simply learning the different actions that can be performed at the table, knowing the ins and outs of the game can significantly help players. Most Blackjack terms aren’t overly complicated, so spending a little time to learn them could be incredibly beneficial.
One way to practise using Blackjack terms could be to play unique variations online, such as Quantum Blackjack Plus or Lightning Blackjack. These games can offer an added layer of entertainment, while still having the same principles as traditional Blackjack games. Regardless of how you learn basic Blackjack terminology, be sure to always set limits and remain safe while at the tables!
