If you are new to the game of blackjack, you might hear terms mentioned and wonder what on earth people are talking about. There is always an assumption that everyone knows so you are unlikely to find people explaining themselves, so whichcasino.com has put together a quick glossary of some of the more common blackjack terms.
Ace: The ace card in blackjack can be counted as both high or low, which is a value of 11 or 1.
Bust: The aim of the game is to get to 21 or as close as possible. Going above the value of 21 is classed as bust, and you are then out.
Bust Card: The offending card that causes the hand to go over 21 and therefore bust.
Card Counting: This is a strategy used in blackjack that players use to try and get an edge. It is a method of tracking the cards to see which high and low cards have already been played. Once they see cards that change the favourable odds, they then increase their bets. There is some school of thought that suggests it is ineffective whereas others swear by it.
First Base: The player sat on the far left of the dealer; this is the first person to be dealt their card every time.
Hard Hand: This refers to a hand without an Ace, or if the ace is being used as the value of one.
Hard Hand: This refers to the actual total of cards in a hand where the aces are counted as a value of one.
Hit: Once the cards have been dealt each player can decide whether to ask for another card or stand where they are. When they ask for another card, this is classed as a hit.
Preferential Shuffle: This is where the casino allows a shuffle whenever they decide which destroys any edge the player might have. It is usually done when bets are placed.
Round: Each round starts with an empty table of no cards. The player must place their bets, and then the dealer will deal a hand of cards to every player. The round will then be classed as finished when the hand has been played, and all the bets are paid out.
Soft Hand: When there is an ace in the hand which can double as 11 or 1, therefore if you hit you cannot bust.
Stand: Once the hand has been dealt the player can add the value of their cards and decide whether to hit or stand, which means that they keep the cards they have. If you have 21 or close to 21, it would be sensible to stand as the chances of going bust with another card are quite high. You can also win if you are the closest to 21 anyway.
Two-Round: A directive from the casino to the dealer. They are told to deal just two rounds and then shuffle the cards. This destroys any player edge.
