Blackjack Glossary
It’s the same with any new game you are learning…there’s a special “code”, strange terms that you do not necessarilly understand that you fell you should know. Well we understand your position so here’s a quick guide to some of the terms and phrases you will come across in Black jack and were afraid to ask…
- Blackjack An Ace and a face card/ten to make 21 with two cards. Pays 3 to 2.
- Bust Your hand now totals over 21 after drawing another card and you have busted. You lose immediately even if the Dealer subsequently busts.
- Double Down Double your bet and take one more card.
- Draw Same as Hit.
- Hard Hand A hand without and Ace or one with an Ace that can only be counted as one. (e.g. Ace, 6, 7 can only be worth 14).
- Hit Request another card.
- Hole Card The dealer’s face down card.
- Insurance If the dealer’s face up card is an Ace you may be offered insurance. This is basically a bet equal to your original that the dealer has Black jack. Insurance pays 2 to 1, so you break even if the dealer has black jack.
- Las Vegas Rules Rules typical of downtown Las Vegas. Double allowed on any first two cards, re-splits allowed, dealer hits soft 17, insurance allowed.
- Las Vegas Strip Rules Same as above but the dealer must hit soft 17.
- Push The dealer’s hand and yours are equal, your stake is returned.
- Shoe A device for holding the decks of cards to be dealt.
- Soft Hand This refers to a hand containing an Ace where the Ace can be counted as 1 or 11 without busting. (e.g. Ace,8 can be worth 9 or 19).
- Split You have two cards of the same denomination and wish to split them and play
Always split 8s
as two separate hands. This also means doubling your bet.
- Stand Indicates that you are happy with your total and do not wish to draw anymore cards.
- Stiff Hand A hand valued at 12 -16.
- Surrender You do not believe that you have a good chance of winning the hand and surrender your cards for a loss of half your stake. Not allowed in all casinos.
