A Handy Glossary of Blackjack Terms

The etymology of blackjack terms is essential for fully understanding this vintage card game. If you want to sound like a true pro when talking about blackjack, there are several important words and phrases to learn. Blackjack, also known as twenty-one, is the most popular casino card game in the world. Its longevity in the gambling world has resulted in the development of a vast and specialised lexis. This page acts as a blackjack glossary of the most important blackjack terms and phrases to help you get to grips with the true essence of the game. We’ve chosen to order this summary in terms of importance rather than in alphabetical order. We’ll cover the absolutely essential lingo first, and also dip into some of the more niche language surrounding the game.

Blackjack Split and Other Blackjack Game Rule Variants

One of the most important concepts to get your head around when learning this game is ‘blackjack split’. Splitting in blackjack is an option available to players dealt a pair of cards of equal value. When opting to split, the pair is divided into two separate hands. Players must match the original stake, effectively doubling the bet. Two additional cards are dealt to complete each hand, and from there players continue following the regular rules. Sometimes, there are restrictions in place on split hands that are not present for regular hands such as the ability the double and hit more than once.

These rules general apply to the splitting of aces. It’s also worth noting that although splitting is an option, it’s not always the best play. Splitting a pair of 5s for example, is not recommended.

Other blackjack variants such as Pontoon and Duel Blackjack have specific rules regarding splitting that do not apply in classic version of the game. Always check the game rules before you start playing to see where you stand on splitting. Re-splitting is allowed in some games as well, meaning you gain an additional hand with each split. Another rule to watch out for is whether the dealer must hit on soft 17. If the rule dictates yes, then your odds of winning are slighly improved.

Blackjack Tactics – Insurance, Double Down and More

Blackjack insurance is a term used to describe the additional bet players may take in the event of the dealer landing an ace in the hole. A face-up ace is a worrying prospect for blackjack players, as the dealer’s second could be a 10, resulting in blackjack. By betting in the blackjack insurance box, players can receive odds of 2 to 1 to cover losses in the event of a dealer blackjack. If the dealer does not have blackjack, insurance bets are lost. Blackjack insurance is optional, and many top blackjack players opt to ignore it, but it’s a nice play if you’re really worried about a dealer blackjack, or have a large amount staked on that particular hand.

Blackjack double down, often referred to simply as ‘doubling’, is a play which gives plays the chance to increase their original stake by 100% at the cost of receiving only a single extra card. Doubling is popular with players holding hands valued at 10 or 11 hoping to catch another 10 when they double down. Some modern games even offer the option of re-doubling, meaning players can double down once more if the first card is too low. Re-doubling essentially raises the original bet by 400%, and is thus a risky but potentially very profitable move.

Some blackjack games online today offer players the chance to surrender a hand that is not looking promising in exchange for half of their original stake in return. Surrendering may seem a bit like accepting early defeat, but is popular with more pessimistic players facing a strong dealer card. For example, staring down at 15 or 16 against a dealer 10 is a tough spot to be in. Hitting could result in a bust, and standing that low will rarely be enough to ensure victory. Sometimes, knowing when you are beaten can save time and money.

Players fortunate enough to be dealt a strong starting hand in blackjack may opt to stand-pat. Stand-patting refers to the act of standing without receiving any additional cards. For example, starting with 19 or 20 is already a great hand against most dealer cards, and players will almost always stand-pat and take their chances rather than risk an extra card.

The Blackjack Table

You may have seen a blackjack table or two in your time, but experienced players use specialised language to describe parts of the playing surface. First base refers to the players sitting immediately to the left of the dealer. This is the first person to be dealt any cards. A player on third base is sitting to the right of the dealer and is, at the same time, the last person to be dealt a hand. This player/position may also be referred to as the ‘anchor’.

Depending on who you talk to, there either is or isn’t a difference in which spot you choose. Some say that novice players should stay away from third base due to the fact that it’s harder to have an overview of the deck once all hands have been dealt. Others say that all is fair and square in a game of blackjack, and that the position has got no impact on the outcome. Apart from the topic of seating, the shoe is the plastic container where the shuffled cards are held. Shoes are widely used because it’s easier to track the actions of a dealer, whereas, in the past, cheating dealers may have had a card or two up their sleeve. Lastly, the betting circles or betting squares are where players place chips to make bets. It’s important not to touch or play with your chips once you’ve placed your wager, and the insurance line acts as de-facto border between the players and the dealer.

Blackjack Cards – Slang and Buzzwords

Blackjack players have invented several quirky and humorous names for cards and hands over the years, some more popular than others. These buzzwords are vital for sounding like a blackjack pro. The ‘upcard’ refers to the dealer’s card that is visible. Dealers receive one card up and once card down. Players are looking to the upcard to help they make important decisions that will affect how the hand plays out. A ‘monkey’ in blackjack refers to any card that holds a value or 10. Sometimes, rather uninspiringly, called a ten-value card, monkeys are powerful in blackjack. Players can often be heard calling for a monkey when doubling down.

Top Blackjack Slang and Buzzwords

• Bankroll – the amount of cash currently held in your account
• Hole cards – as in poker, the cards you are dealt initially
• House edge – the advantage the casino holds over the player, represented as a percentage
• The shoe – the box that holds the pre-shuffled cards at the blackjack table
• Paint it, paint it – is called when a players needs a card with a value of 10

The Various Blackjack Hands and Deals

As blackjack is such a simple game, you’ll often see the same kinds of hands appearing again and again. Players have developed nicknames for common hands over the years, and it’s useful to learn them by reading this blackjack glossary. Everyone knows what a blackjack or a bust hand looks like but do you know the difference between a soft and hard 17? Soft hands contain an ace that is currently being counted as 11, and therefore pose no risk of busting on another hit. Hands that can be busted on an additional hit are also called ‘stiff hands’.

The Five Card Charlie is one of the rarest hands in blackjack and players will often use this phrase when one appears, as a measure of expressing their excitement. Specialists language also applies to dealer hands and winning patterns. A push, for example, describes a situation where both dealer and player are tied, and all bets are returned. ‘Penetration’ refers to the number of cards the dealer distributes before shuffling, and is often important to card counters and mathematical players. If you hear the phrase, ‘washing the cards’, don’t worry the dealer is not about to get soap and a sponge out. Washing the cards refers to shuffling, as the decks are prepared for a new game. If you need to brush up on the rules of blackjack, head to our dedicated how to play blackjack page.

Types of Blackjack Players

Just as the game itself has inspired colloquial language to describe the game, so has the growing number of players around the world. A whole dictionary of blackjack terms and blackjack jargon to describe different play styles has evolved. Here’s some of our favourites.

An ‘anchor-man’ is the player sitting in the last seat of the table, and is therefore last to act in a single round of blackjack. A player looking to exploit the game using a mathematical strategy to predict when high value cards will be dealt is knows as a ‘card counter’. A ‘high roller’ is someone betting a lot of money. Online casinos offer special blackjack tables for high rollers these days. A player who attempts to add favourable cards to the deck, essentially cheating, is called a ‘mucker’. You won’t find any muckers in online blackjack though, of course. Finally, a player who is deemed ignorant or uneducated in the game of blackjack if known as a ’ploppy’. To avoid being a ploppy yourself, head over to our extensive online blackjack page to learn more.