Anchor |
The player seated to the dealer's furthest right. |
Bankroll |
A player's total amount of money with which he can bet. |
Basic Strategy |
A simple method which should be memorized by all players that maximizes a player's advantage and helps him make educated decisions regarding his moves. |
Blackjack |
A total of 21 on a player's first two cards dealt. |
Breaking Hand |
A hand that will most likely go bust if hit. |
Burn Cards |
Taking cards from the top of the deck and placing them in the discard tray after shuffling and cutting. |
Bust |
To go bust - having a card total that exceed 21; losing the game. |
Card Counting |
The skill to mentally count and memorize the cards which have been played and to judge how many (usually high) cards are left in the shoe. This skill gives a player a conditional probability advantage on the rest of the cards against the house. |
Deal |
To hand out the cards. |
Discard Tray |
The tray holding all the discarded cards. |
Double Down |
An option to double the original bet, but only getting a one-card hit. |
Draw |
To request more cards to be added to one's hand. |
Early Surrender |
A surrender which is allowed before the dealer sees if he has a blackjack. |
Face Cards |
Jack, Queen and King. |
Face Down Game |
When the player's first card is face up, but the second card is face down. |
Face Up Game |
When both cards are placed face up. |
First Base |
The first seat to the left of the dealer to which cards are first handed out. |
Hard Count |
The true face value of the cards. |
Hard Hand (Total) |
A hand that has no Ace, or with an Ace which should only be counted as 1 value. |
Heads Up |
A game between one player and the dealer. |
Hit |
Requesting that the dealer deal another card. |
Hole Card |
A face down card, usually relating to the dealer's single card placed face down. |
Insurance |
A side bet when the dealer is showing an Ace. |
Late Surrender |
Surrender which is allowed only if the dealer does not have a blackjack. |
Marker |
A line of credit from the casino to a trustworthy player. |
Multiplayer Blackjack |
A revolutionary trend in the world of blackjack whereby a tournament is played between 5 live players with fully interactive software. |
Natural |
A two-card hand totaling exactly 21 points - an automatic win which pays 3-2. |
Odds |
The mathematical chances that a bet will be won or not. |
Pat |
A hand which totals between 17 - 21. |
Point Count |
Used in card counting systems: the net value of the card count at the end of a round. |
Press |
To increase the amount of a wager. |
Push |
When the player and the dealer both have equal card totals. The player keeps the bet in the end. |
Running Count |
Used in card counting: the count from the beginning of the deck; the running count is adjusted to the value of the point count after every hand. |
Shoe |
A wooden box or case which holds and dispenses the cards. |
Shuffle Up |
Premature shuffling by the dealer used to deter the practice of card counting. |
Soft Hand |
A hand of cards containing an Ace that can be used as a 1 or an 11. |
Split Hand |
The option to split two cards of the same value and to play them out separately. |
Standing Hand |
A hand which has a hard total of 17 or more, and will most probably go bust if hit with another card - the player "stands". |
Stand / Stay |
Not having any more hits. |
Stiff Hand |
Hand with a slim chance of winning. |
Surrender |
Giving up a hand and only losing half of the bet. |
Third Base |
The seat to the dealer's right. |
Toke |
A tip given to the dealer. |
True Count |
In card counting systems: the running count is adjusted to the number of unplayed cards remaining in the deck. |
Up Card |
The dealer's first dealt card, placed face up for the players to see. |
