Blackjack Glossary

Words that are commonly related with blackjack.

To win in a blackjack game, you need to fully understand not the only the basic rules of the game but the terms and words that are commonly used in one. Even if you have perfected the art of hitting or standing, if you don't know what the words “hard hand” and “upcard,” chances are you'll get yourself lost in the game. As such, it is important to learn the jargon first before deciding to go “all-in” in a blackjack game.

Action - a collective gambling term that pertains to the sum of money a blackjack player has placed into the pot in a certain span of game time

All-in - when all the money and valuables of a blackjack participant are thrown into the pot as a bet

Anchorman - the last online player who will execute an action and choose an option

Bankroll - the overall sum of bet or stake a player is willing to gamble for the whole duration of the game

Burn card - the card the blackjack dealer has picked above the shuffled deck at the start of a blackjack game. The card's number value may be shown or not depending on the online blackjack table rules and agreements

Bust - means that a player loses the game because the total number value of his cards exceeds 21

Buy-in - the lowest sum of money a player should have to be able to join the game

Blackjack - is the winning attained when a player immediately gets a 21 with his two initial cards. It can either be any two cards with a total number of 21, but preferably, it should be any ace card combined with a Jack of Spades or a Jack of Clubs

Call - a deed that signifies agreement to bet the same amount of chips or money as the other players have bet

Dealer - is a casino staff or employee who leads the whole game and facilitates the shuffling and giving of cards. In an online Blackjack, the website or its representative, is mainly the dealer.

Deck - a set that should consist of 52 standard cards

Dispenser - a box or container where the remaining cards are placed after the distribution of the first two cards

Early Surrender - a player is given the choice to surrender before the game continues so that he may save 50% of the amount he bet

Favorable Deck - pertains to the deck that dispenses or gives cards that cause a participant to win the game

Hard hand - when the value given or assigned to an ace card is 1

Head-to-Head - a game between two players only -- the blackjack dealer and a player-- at a single blackjack table, especially if the others have already surrender

Hit - getting another card from the remaining cards in the dispenser

Insurance - Side bet up to half the initial bet against the dealer having a natural 21. Insurance is offered only when the dealers up card is an Ace. The insurance bet wins double if the dealer has a natural, but loses if the dealer does not.

Natural - another slang or informal name for blackjack.

Paint - pertains to the card with painted or colored pictures; a paint can can either be a Queen, King, or Jack card

Push - when the Blackjack dealer and participant have the same total value of cards -- a tie-- both get the money they have bet

Shuffle - randomly mixing and jumbling the cards.

Soft hand - when the value given or assigned to an ace card is 11

Stiff Card -  a blackjack card with a value number of two to six; when a the player gets a stiff card, he player may opt to go for a hit

Toke - a favor or tip a player gives to the game dealer

Unit - a normal or standard amount of bet in accordance with the existing rules

Upcard - the game dealer's card whose value is exposed to the other players