Blackjack takes time to master. But before you can master the game, you must understand the basic terms and lingo used at the blackjack table. This post is aimed at new players who want to familiarize themselves with the basic terminology used in blackjack. From “hit” to “stand”, “split” to “double down”, I explain the most commonly used terms at the blackjack table so that you can feel confident and comfortable playing your first game.
“Basic strategy”
Basic strategy is the mathematically optimal play for every possible situation at the blackjack table. It’s usually presented in a chart or table, and it varies based on the rules variations in place at a specific table.
“Bet”
The amount of money wagered on a hand. Or, as a verb, to wager on a hand of blackjack. How and where to place your bets are covered in my post about the blackjack table layout.
“Blackjack”
A hand containing an ace and a 10-point card (10, jack, queen, or king). Such a hand is also called a natural, and it’s an automatic winner unless the dealer also has a blackjack, in which case it’s a push. Casinos pay out extra when you get a blackjack — it usually pays off at 3 to 2 or 6 to 5 odds.
“Bust”
A hand that exceeds 21 points. Any hand that busts is an automatic loser regardless of what happens with the dealer hand.
“Comps”
Complimentary items or services offered by the casino to its players, based on their level of play. Working the comps system is one way to get a slight mathematical edge over the casino. Read Comp City by Max Rubin to familiarize yourself with how to work the comps system at a casino.
“Counting cards”
To track the ratio of high to low cards in the deck so that you can adjust your bet based on the edge you have over the casino. When the deck is rich in high cards (aces and 10s), you bet more. When the deck is rich in low cards (2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 6s), you bet less.
“Cut card”
The card used to mark the point where the dealer should stop dealing cards from the shoe.
“Dealer”
The person who manages the game and deals the cards at the blackjack table. It’s good blackjack etiquette to tip your dealer.
“Double down”
Doubling your bet and taking one (and only one) more card.
“Discard tray”
A tray or container where the used cards are placed after a hand of blackjack.
“Five-card Charlie”
A five-card hand that doesn’t bust. Some casinos offer bonus payouts for a five-card Charlie, although that’s less common now than it used to be.
“Hard hand”
A blackjack hand without an ace or with an ace counting as 1. Soft hands can’t bust, but hard hands can.
“Hit”
Requesting another card from the dealer. You can find out more about hitting and your other options at the blackjack table in my post about the basics of blackjack play.
“House rules”
Specific rules set by the casino or dealer that players must abide by. Some of these rules are about blackjack etiquette, but most of them are about things like whether the dealer hits on a soft 17 or not.
“Hole card”
The dealer’s face-down card.
“Insurance”
A side bet offered when the dealer’s upcard is an ace, which pays 2-to-1 if the dealer has a blackjack. Insurance is a sucker bet. If you’re not counting cards, you should never take insurance.
“Money management”
A strategy of managing your bankroll to minimize losses and maximize winnings. It usually involves setting win goals and loss limits and quitting when you’ve achieved one or the other.
“Payout”
The amount of money paid to the player for a winning hand. For most hands, this is even money, but in the case of a blackjack or a five-card Charlie, the casino pays out more.
“Push”
A tie between the player and dealer, resulting in the player getting their bet back but without any winnings.
“Running count”
When counting cards, the running count is just the count before it’s been converted to a true account. It’s the count, but it doesn’t account for the number of decks left in the shoe.
“Shoe”
The container that holds multiple decks of cards.
“Shuffle up”
The process of mixing the cards before a new round of play.
“Soft hand”
A hand with an ace that can be counted as 1 or 11 without busting. It’s impossible to bust a soft hand, so soft hands are played more aggressively than hard hands.
“Stand”
Choosing not to take any more cards.
“Split”
When you have two of the same card, you can split them into two separate hands.
“Surrender”
To forfeit half your bet instead of playing the hand. Casinos have different rules for when you can surrender.
“Third base”
The last seat to the left of the dealer and the last player to act before the dealer.
“True count”
When counting cards, the true count is the running count converted into a count that takes into account the number of decks still in play.
Conclusion
You’ll hear all this terminology and then some at the blackjack table. Most of these expressions will become second nature to you after you play a few games. Be sure to also visit my post about blackjack beginner tips. The information there expands on a lot of the definitions here.
