Glossary of Blackjack Terms 

September 2, 2024
12 Minute Read

Looking to jump in the action at the blackjack tables, but are unsure of some of the game’s rules and vocabulary? The following glossary of blackjack terms and rules offers players some insight on this fun game that features a low house edge not found in many other casino games.

Make note of some of these blackjack terms and definitions for that next trip to the casino or when playing online at Lucky Block. Keep reading for some real insight on blackjack terms and rules.

Blackjack Glossary – Including Blackjack Slang and Lingo

A

Close-up view of a blackjack table with playing cards, chips, and hands of players during a game in a casino.
  • Ace Poor or Rich – These terms may be found when counting cards. “Ace rich” refers to receiving an ace when a deck is still “rich” in 10-value cards (face cards) and aces. An “ace poor” deck has fewer of these cards remaining.
  • Anchorman – This is the last player position at the table, the position acting just before the dealer.
  • Advantage (Advantage Player) – A player who has a positive expected value (EV) against the house. In blackjack terms meaning, this usually refers to a card counter who has an advantage due to their ability to track the cards that have been played.
  • Automated Shuffling Machine – A machine utilized in casinos that shuffles the cards at the table. This may entail the cards constantly being reshuffled.

B

  • Bet Behind – An option in some casinos where players can bet on other players’ hands.
  • Back Count – In card counting, this is standing behind the action and counting the action on the table as the cards are dealt. The player then enters the game when the count is positive for the player.
  • Back Off – When a casino limits or halts a player’s action at the tables. This is usually done to card counters if the house suspects they are indeed counting. A player violating this order may be barred from the property.
  • Balanced Count –  Card counting system in which values are given to cards, converting this running total into a true count that can help determine how much to bet or deviate from basic strategy if needed.
  • Bank or Bankroll – This is the amount of money a player has dedicated to gambling or the amount that the player is currently using at a blackjack table or other gaming option.
  • BlackjackA centuries-old casino game in which players are hoping to get as close to 21 without busting and also beat the dealer. The game can feature a low house edge for those who become skilled at basic blackjack strategy.
  • Box – The area where each player is located. Can also refer to the “betting box” where each player places a bet.
  • Burn – When the dealer takes a card out of the dealing shoe and discards it before dealing to players. This is called the “burn card.”
  • Bust – When a player or dealer hand goes over 21. This is then a losing hand.
  • Buy-In – This is the amount a player used at the tables to receive chips.

C

  • Cage – This is the cashier area of a casino where players can exchange chips for cash. These had an actual “cage” around them in the old days as a security measure and some still look this way today.
  • Camouflage – Alternating bets to help disguise that a player is counting cards. Players who count may go from small bets to large bets when the count is in their favor. Camouflaging helps make this less detectable by casino management.
  • Card Counting – Keeping track of high and low cards via a counting system, so that a player will be able to tell how many high cards remain in the deck and work to the player’s advantage.
  • Chip Up or Chip Down – Increasing or decreasing a bet.
  • Clump – A grouping of certain cards in the deck. For example, a clump of high cards still remaining in the deck could be favorable to players as this makes a blackjack and other high hands more possible.
  • Color Up – In blackjack slang terms, this refers to exchanging lower-denomination chips for higher-denomination chips when a player leaves a table.
  • Count – The total at any one time when card counting.
  • Cut – To split the deck after a dealer has shuffled. This helps randomize the deck.
  • Cut Card – A plastic colored card used to cut the deck.

D

  • DA2 (Double Any Two) – A house rule allowing players to double down on any two cards (as the name implies).
  • DAS (Double After Splitting) and NDAS – House rules regarding doubling down after splitting a player’s first two cards when they are exactly alike. Some casinos allow this and some do not.
  • Deck – A pack of 52 playing cards. Blackjack games can range when it comes to decks, from using a single or double deck all the way up to eight decks.
  • Deck Penetration – How deep a casino or dealer deals into the dealing shoe.
  • Deviation – In card counting, this refers to the times that a player gets away from basic strategy based on the running count.
  • Double Down – A favorable rule for players where they can double their bet with certain hands. What hands can be doubled down on may depend on the casino rules but you should always double down when you have some of the best blackjack hands.
  • Double Exposure – A version of blackjack in which both dealer cards are exposed. The game also features other rule changes as well.

E

  • Early Surrender – A favorable rule allowing players to relinquish their hand on the first two cards and only lose half their bet. The early surrender version allows players to surrender before the dealer checks for blackjack. This is a highly favorable rule for players when the dealer looks to have a strong hand against your weak hand.
  • Edge –In blackjack terms explained, this refers to the advantage held by the casino, commonly known as the “house edge.” The term can also describe an advantage player’s edge over the house when utilizing strategies like card counting.
  • Even Money – A payout of 1 to 1 as seen in most traditional blackjack betting. If you bet $10 and win, you will receive another $10. 
  • EV (Expected Value) – This refers to the long-term returns based on specific decisions in the game.

F

  • Face Card – Any jack, queen, or king. These are all valued at 10 in blackjack.
  • First-Base – This is the first player to act at the blackjack table.
  • First-Basing – When the first base player peaks at the dealer’s down card when the dealer checks for blackjack.
  • Five Card Charlie – A rule in which players may receive a payout when they receive a hand with five cards that doesn’t go over 21.
  • Flat Bet – Betting the same amount on each bet no matter how much is won or loss.
  • Floorman – An employee or manager overseeing the games. Sometimes referred to as a “pit boss.”

H

  • Half-Shoe – In blackjack terms definition, this refers to when a casino deals only half of the shoe to deter card counting. This reduces the penetration into the deck and consequently lowers the card counter’s edge in the game.
  • Hand – The two cards a player is dealt during the game.
  • Hard Hand – A hand without an ace, which can count from 1 to 11.
  • Hard Total – In blackjack terminology, this refers to the total of a hand that does not include an ace or includes an ace counted as 1 rather than 11.
  • Heads Up – Playing with just one player at the table against the dealer.
  • Hit – One of the most common blackjack phrases, it means asking the dealer for another card to add to your hand.
  • Hit 17 – Rule on whether a dealer hit a soft 17 or stands on soft 17 (a hand with an ace to total 17). Hit 17 means that the casino will hit a soft 17. This rule is unfavorable to players and adds to the house edge.
  • Hole Card – The dealer’s down card.
  • House Advantage – The built-in advantage for the casino in the games offered. Refers to the odds against the player.

I

  • Insurance – A bet in which a player can “insure” that the dealer doesn’t have blackjack when he has an ace up. The wager is half a player’s bet and pays 2 to 1, making up for the loss of the initial blackjack bet if the dealer indeed has blackjack. This is generally considered a bad bet for players because of the high house edge.

L

  • Late Surrender – A surrender rule in which players can only surrender after the dealer has checked for blackjack with an ace up. This is a positive rule for players, but not as good as early surrender.
  • Live Dealer – An online game in which the game features a real blackjack table and dealer using video streaming. The game is similar to playing in a real casino and this option can be found at Lucky Block Caisno.

M

Players' hands placing chips on a blackjack table with cards and betting areas, capturing the dynamic atmosphere of a live casino game.
  • Martingale System – In blackjack terminology the Martingale system is a negative-progression betting system using the concept that the player will eventually win. The player is expected to double their bet each time they lose with the idea that losses will be made up when wins occur.
  • Manhattan betting system The Manhattan betting system, also known as the 2-1-2 strategy, is a mildly progressive betting approach in blackjack where players start with a two-unit bet, decrease by one unit after the first win, and then increase by one unit with each subsequent win, resetting to the original bet after a loss.

N

  • Natural (Blackjack Hand) – Another name for a blackjack – consisting of an ace and a 10-value card.
  • NDAS (No Double After Splitting) – A casio rule that bars players from doubling down after splitting.
  • NRSA (No resplitting Aces) – A rule that allows only one split of aces. A player receiving a third ace would not be able to split into a third hand.

P

  • Paint – A blackjack slang term for any face card.
  • Pair – Receiving the same two cards, allowing players to split if they desire.
  • Pat Hand – A hand that is already made and needs no additional help.
  • Push – When the dealer and the player have the same hand. You won’t win your bet, but also won’t lose it.
  • Push 22 – A side bet found in some blackjack formats. If the dealer busts with 22, all player blackjack bets become pushes. The wager can be won if the dealer busts with 22 and the player’s hand doesn’t exceed 29.

R

  • Round – A term used for a complete hand in which all players bet, receive cards, act on their hands, and are paid out if they win.
  • RSA (Resplitting Aces) – In blackjack lingo this is the ability or rule allowing players to split aces and then split again if dealt a third ace. This is a favorable rule for players.
  • Running Count – The total count accumulated as players count cards.

S

  • Seven Card Charlie – In terms in blackjack this is rule in which a player who draws seven cards without going over 21 automatically wins no matter what hand the dealer has. This is usually used to deal multiple decks.
  • Shoe – A device used to hold decks of cards for dealing at a blackjack table.
  • Shortstop – This term refers to a player seated between first and third base in blackjack
  • Shuffle – Riffling the cards together so that they can be dealt randomly. 
  • Soft Hand – A hand continuing an ace. For example, a hand with A-6 has a soft 17 as the hand can be counted as a 7 or 17.
  • Soft Total – A total held in a hand with an ace. For example, a hand with a 3-4-A has a soft 18.
  • Split – A rule allowing a player to break a hand into two separate hands when receiving two of the exact same cards. For example, a playreceiving 8-8 can bet again and split these cards into two hands. The player will then receive a second card on the first card and can then hit or stand before receiving a second card on the other hand. When splitting aces, players only receive one card.
  • Stand – Telling the dealer that you don’t want to receive any more cards.
  • Stand 17 – Dealer rule where the dealer stands on soft 17 (a 17 with an ace). The dealer stand on soft 17 rule works in the player’s favor.
  • Stand-Off – When the dealer and the player have the same hand. No money is exchanged on the bet and this is also known as a “push.”
  • Stiff– This is a hard hand (without an ace) in which the player could easily bust by taking another card.
  • Surrender – A rule allowing players to forfeit their hand for only half their bet on the first two cards. This is a favorable rule for players. 
  • Switch – Blackjack Switch is a variation of blackjack in which players have two hands and can switch the second card dealt to each of their two hands after receiving their first two cards.

T

  • True Count – This blackjack term refers to the count based on if the game were using a single deck. To determine this, a card counter would take the running count and divide it by the number of decks remaining to be dealt.
  • Tournaments – A blackjack tournament is a competitive event where players compete against each other, not just the dealer, to accumulate the most chips over a series of rounds.

Conclusion

This glossary provides a comprehensive overview of essential blackjack terms, rules, and slang, making it easier for players to understand the game and enhance their strategy.

Keep these terms in mind for your next blackjack session, and you’ll be better prepared to enjoy the game and potentially improve your odds of winning.

For an exciting experience, try your hand at Bitcoin blackjack at Lucky Block, where you can enjoy fast transactions and secure gameplay.

Learn more on blackjack:

Tom Middleton

Tom is a crypto gambling expert with more than a decade of experience in the industry and Master’s Degree in Journalism. He has written thoroughly researched guides and reviews for several major publications.

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