Blackjack Glossary

Action - The amount of money risked by a player during their entire session.

Basic Strategy - consists of a complete set of rules that cover all possible decisions a player may encounter, but without taking into account any other player's cards or any previously dealt cards.

Betting Limits - Establishes the minimum and maximum amounts that can be wagered on one bet.

Blackjack - A hand whose first two cards total 21.

Burn Card - The card placed on the bottom of the deck or in the discard tray after a shuffle and cut.

Bust/Break - To exceed the total of twenty-one.

Card Counting - Keeping an eye on which cards have been played since the shuffle.

Chip/Check - A casino term for tokens used instead of money.

Color Up/Out - To exchange smaller denomination chips for larger denomination chips.

Cut - To divide a deck into two parts.

Cut Card - A different colored card used to cut the decks.

Early Surrender - To surrender or give up after a player receives their first two cards but before the dealer checks for a blackjack. Player loses half of their bet.

Even Money - to get paid the same as you wagered plus your original wager when the player has a blackjack and the dealer has an ace showing.

Expected Win Rate - The percentage of the total amount wagered that the player can be expected to win or lose over time.

Face Cards - The King, Queen or Jack of each suite.

First Base - The first seat nearest the dealer's left hand.

Hard Hand - Any blackjack hand that does not contain an ace valued at eleven.

Hit - To take another card.

Hole Card - The dealer's face down card.

Insurance - A side bet that the dealer has a natural 21 that is offered when the dealer's upcard is an ace. If the dealer has a natural, the player is paid double. If the dealer does not have a natural, the insurance bet is lost.

Natural - A hand whose first two cards total 21. Also known as blackjack.

Pit Boss - A casino employee who is in charge of all the tables in a particular area.

Push/Tie - When the player and the dealer have hands with the same point total. No money changes hands.

Shoe - A plastic or wooden device that holds multiple decks of cards to be dealt.

Soft Hand - Any blackjack hand that contains an ace valued at eleven.

Stand - To refrain from taking any more cards.

Surrender - To give up half your wager to not have to complete the hand.

Tip (Toke) - A gratuity given to a dealer by a player.

Upcard - The dealers card that is face up.

Whale - this is what is commonly referred to as a high roller or big game player.