Zane | April 6, 2023 | Updated on: February 17th, 2025
Understanding blackjack terminology is crucial for mastering the game. If you are new to blackjack or have played for some time, it’s important to know the common blackjack terms. Understanding these terms will help you make better choices at the table.
This glossary covers the most important blackjack terms you need to know. If you’re new to the game, check out our How to Play Blackjack guide for a complete step-by-step tutorial. For a deeper dive into strategy, visit our Blackjack Strategy guide.
A-Z Blackjack Terms and Definitions
A
- Ace (A) – A card worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on what benefits the player’s hand.
- Ace-Rich Deck – A shoe (deck) that has a higher-than-normal number of Aces, increasing the chance of getting a blackjack.
- Action – The total amount of money a player wagers over time.
- Advantage Player – A player who uses strategy and skills (like card counting) to gain an edge over the casino.
B
- Bankroll – The total amount of money a player has set aside for betting.
- Basic Strategy – The mathematically optimal way to play each hand in blackjack. Learn more in our Blackjack Strategy guide.
- Blackjack – A two-card hand consisting of an Ace and a 10-value card (10, J, Q, K). This is the strongest hand, paying 3:2 in most casinos.
- Burn Card – The top card of the deck that is discarded before play begins, typically to prevent cheating.
C
- Card Counting – A strategy used to track the ratio of high to low cards remaining in the deck to adjust bets and playing decisions.
- Chips – The tokens used for placing bets in a casino instead of cash.
- Cold Deck – A deck that is unfavorable to players, often leading to more dealer wins.
- Cut Card – A plastic card used by the dealer or player to split the deck after shuffling.
D
- Dealer – The casino employee who deals the cards and plays against the players.
- Deck Penetration – The percentage of cards dealt before the dealer reshuffles. Higher penetration benefits card counters.
- Double Down – A move where a player doubles their initial bet and receives one final card. Best used on 9, 10, or 11 for maximum advantage.
- Draw – Another term for hitting (taking an additional card).
E
- Early Surrender – A rare rule allowing players to fold their hand before the dealer checks for blackjack, getting back half their bet.
- Even Money – When a player with a blackjack takes a guaranteed 1:1 payout instead of risking a push against the dealer’s Ace.
F
- Face Cards – The Jack, Queen, and King, all worth 10 points in blackjack.
- Five-Card Trick – A winning hand in Pontoon (a blackjack variant) where a player holds five cards without busting.
- Flat Betting – Betting the same amount on every hand, rather than adjusting based on wins or losses.
- Forced Bet – A minimum bet required at the start of each round.
H
- Hard Hand – A hand that does not contain an Ace, or contains an Ace that must be counted as 1. Example: 10 + 6 = 16 (Hard 16).
- Hit – To request an additional card to improve a hand’s total.
- Hole Card – The dealer’s face-down card, which is revealed at the end of the round.
I
- Insurance – A side bet you can make when the dealer shows an Ace. This lets players bet on if the dealer has blackjack. Pays 2:1, but is statistically a bad bet.
- Invisible Cut – A shuffle manipulation technique used to cheat in blackjack.
L
- Late Surrender – A rule allowing players to surrender their hand after the dealer checks for blackjack. Learn more in our Blackjack Strategy guide.
M
- Martingale System – This is a betting strategy. A player doubles their bet after each loss. This helps them recover losses when they win. Risky, as it requires a large bankroll.
- Multi-Deck Blackjack – A game played with multiple decks (usually 6 to 8 decks), increasing the house edge compared to single-deck games.
N
- Natural Blackjack – A two-card 21 (Ace + 10-value card).
- Negative Progression – A betting system where a player increases bets after a loss, opposite of a positive progression system.
P
- Paint Cards – Another name for face cards (J, Q, K).
- Pair Splitting – When a player receives two identical cards (e.g., 8-8) and splits them into two separate hands.
- Pat Hand – A strong hand that doesn’t need more cards, typically 17 or higher.
- Push – A tie between the player and dealer, resulting in no money won or lost.
R
- Running Count – In card counting, the tally of high and low cards that have been played.
- Resplit – The option to split a pair again if another matching card appears.
- Risk of Ruin – The probability of losing your entire bankroll before making a profit.
S
- Soft Hand – A hand containing an Ace that can count as 1 or 11. Example: A + 6 = Soft 17.
- Shoe – A plastic or wooden container that holds multiple decks of cards for dealing.
- Shuffle Tracking – A card counting technique where players try to predict where certain cards will appear after a shuffle.
- Stand – To stay with your current hand and not take any more cards.
- Stiff Hand – A weak hand between 12-16, which is risky to hit but too low to stand.
T
- Table Limits – The minimum and maximum bets allowed at a blackjack table.
- Third Base – The last seat at the table, which is the last player to act before the dealer.
- True Count – A card counting adjustment that accounts for the number of decks remaining in the shoe.
U
- Upcard – The dealer’s face-up card, which helps players decide their strategy.
V
- Variance – The statistical swings of wins and losses over time. A high-variance game has bigger winning and losing streaks.
W
- Wonging – A blackjack technique where players watch the game without betting, waiting for a favorable deck before entering. Named after blackjack expert Stanford Wong.
Conclusion on Blackjack Terminology
Now that you understand these blackjack terms, you’re ready to take your game to the next level! Knowing the terminology is key to making smarter bets and better strategic decisions.
For a step-by-step blackjack guide, visit our How to Play Blackjack page. If you want to improve your odds, check out our expert guide on Blackjack Strategy.
Blackjack Terminology FAQs
1. Why is it important to learn blackjack terms?
Knowing the terminology helps you understand the rules, strategies, and betting options, making you a more confident player.
2. What is the best blackjack strategy for beginners?
Start by learning basic strategy and avoid risky bets like insurance. Check out our Blackjack Strategy guide for more tips.
3. What does “double down” mean in blackjack?
It means doubling your bet in exchange for one final card.
4. How does a “push” work in blackjack?
A push is a tie between the player and dealer, meaning you get your bet back without winning or losing.
5. Can I count cards in online blackjack?
Most online casinos use random shuffling, making card counting ineffective. However, live dealer blackjack may allow some limited counting.