Complete Blackjack Glossary with the Most Commonly Used Terms
Blackjack is by far one of the most popular card games in the world. To become familiar with this game, it is important to start with the basics. Here is a short glossary that covers the main blackjack terms.
Knowing the terminology of Online Blackjack is the basic rule for anyone who intends to engage in this game.
Table of Content:
The Blackjack glossary includes terms that are often very specific, although not that numerous.
If you don't know their exact meanings, it is easy to get confused about what a particular term means.
It won't take long to go through our Blackjack glossary, and once you've read this article, you'll be able to approach the games like a pro, understand the meaning of certain expressions or words and, in time, hone your skills and become an expert player.
Blackjack Glossary
The Blackjack glossary contains a list of the most commonly used terms in blackjack and their explanation.
Anchor
Anchor is a term for the seat to the right of the dealer. As the cards are dealt from left to right, the anchorman is the player who receives his cards last.
Bankroll
A Bankroll is an individual player’s available chips/cash. Managing your bankroll before starting a game is essential if you wish not to run into the unpleasant realization your chips have run out.
Basic Strategy
It is a basic system for playing Blackjack. The blackjack basic strategy is based on mathematical simulations. It offers the optimal solution for every situation, depending on several variables: players' cards, dealer's face cards and the number of decks in the Shoe (see Shoe). By following the basic strategy, a player can reduce the house edge as much as possible.
Bet Behind
Bet Behind is a bet that allows an unlimited number of players to make a wager on the hand of the 7 players seated at the table while they wait for a seat to open up.
Blackjack
A "natural" 21 is the highest score that can be obtained. All hands except another Blackjack are defeated by this hand, which is made up of two cards: an ace and a 10 or a figure.
If both player and dealer have Blackjack, the result is a Tie: neither player nor dealer wins, and the bet is returned to the player. Normally a winning Blackjack is paid 3:2.
Bust
When the player or the dealer scores higher than 21, losing the hand.
Bust it
Side bet. Allows you to bet on the possibility that the dealer's card score will exceed 21. The bet is returned (Push) if the player scores a Blackjack. There are different combinations to win with this bet, each getting a different payout (3-card bust, 4-card bust, 5-card bust, etc.).
Card Counting
An expression referring to a strategy used when a player chooses to count cards in Blackjack that have been played and discarded to try and predict the value of the next cards.
DAS(Double After Split)
To kick things off simply, DAS is an acronym for Double After Split. It is a rule in both solo and live blackjack that has you doubling down after splitting your hand in two.
DAS is different from standard rules in blackjack. When practiced correctly, it can make all the difference to your game. Rules like DAS give you more options, instead of limiting you like the NDAS rule might. You should always keep this rule in mind when choosing your blackjack table as its availability will affect the house edge that works against you in the game.
When you split a hand in blackjack, you divide a pair into two separate hands, receiving extra cards per hand. DAS lets you double down on one or both of the newly created separate hands. The real skill lies in knowing when to use DAS.
Before using DAS, you should take note of whether the dealer’s up card is weak (a low card). If it is and you have a strong hand (for example, double 10s), doubling down on both hands could potentially increase your payout. When the dealer has a strong card (10, J, Q or K) and you have a weak hand after splitting, it’s probably best to avoid doubling down and focus on hitting instead.
The importance of DAS in blackjack strategy is that it provides you with the opportunity to turn a losing hand into a winning one and/or it could potentially increase your winnings - but there's always risk involved.
DAS Rule Implementation in Gameplay
DAS provides you with options after splitting your hand. If you land a strong hand, doubling down can potentially increase your payout or make up for any losses you would have previously incurred. So, it gives you the chance to turn a weak hand into a strong one. You're most likely to consider following the rule when the dealer’s up card is weak as it gives you a better chance of sealing a win.
Most single-deck blackjack games follow the H17 rule which has the dealer hit on a Soft 17. A Soft 17 is a hand totaling 17 that includes an ace, and the ace is valued as 11. Sometimes you’ll find games that offer DAS and H17, making the game almost even against the house. The idea is that when used wisely, it can give you the edge over the casino.
When playing a two-deck game, it's worth choosing a table that offers the DAS rule. In a situation where the dealer hits a Soft 17 instead of standing, it might be a good time to try DAS. If a two-deck game offers the H17 rule minus the DAS, steer clear.
DAS is ideally used when the dealer’s upcard is weak. In this instance, your chances of scoring higher than the dealer are increased since there's a better chance of the dealer having an overall weaker hand. If the dealer’s up card is strong, it is better to stay put and hit instead. The game becomes more volatile when there are multiple strategic options to consider and you’re exposed to higher stakes, which is often the case when DAS is available.
When adopting strategies in play, it’s important to understand the influence they can have on your bankroll. Remember that splitting and doubling down are actions that both require additional bets. That’s why effective money management is important here, as it helps you protect your bankroll while you enjoy the game to its full potential. It’s also important to note that there is a time and a place to play the DAS rule, and good observation skills and practice allow for an informed decision.
Advantages of the DAS Rule
Increased opportunities when doubling down after a split if the dealer’s hand is weak.
Enhanced strategic options.
Disadvantages of the DAS Rule
Potential risk of higher losses if effective money management isn’t in place, since DAS makes the game more volatile.
What is DAS in blackjack?
It’s a strategic action that allows you to double down after splitting your hand. It allows for the addition of more cards, which in turn increases the possibility of beating the dealer's hand and hopefully bagging a win.
How does DAS affect gameplay?
DAS gives you more strategic options to potentially beat the dealer. It also allows you to potentially increase your payout since it not only adds another hand, but it also doubles your wager on it. The DAS rule ultimately reduces the house edge, but naturally the outcome of the game is still largely based on chance. Know how to use the rule in the right circumstance to improve your chances.
Can DAS be applied in all versions of blackjack?
No. If you want the option of DAS, you need to pick a table that offers it. That's dependent on the number of cards in play and the rules of the particular blackjack version being played.
s DAS a universally accepted rule in blackjack?
Although the rule is considered one of the main rules in blackjack, not all casinos allow DAS. Be sure to check the table rules if you want to use DAS.
Deck
A term is used to refer to a pack of cards. In Blackjack, French decks of 52 cards each are used. The cards available in each deck are divided into four suits.
Dealer
The dealer in blackjack deals the cards at the gaming table, collects the losing bets, and pays out the winning ones as in exclusivity.
Dealer Peek
Optional rule: Obliges the dealer to check whether he has played Blackjack before players take action. Variants of this rule oblige the dealer to make such a check only when the card is revealed to be an ace or when it is worth ten points.
Double Down
Option for the player to double the initial bet with an additional card. This is a good bet if the player is in a strong situation and when the dealer's card is weak.
Draw or Hit
When a player asks the dealer for another card to add to his hand. A player can ask for as many cards as possible until he stops or busts (see Bust).
Face cards
These are cards that contain pictures/figures. These include the jack "J" (jack), queen "Q" (queen) and king "K" (king).
Hard Hand
A hand of play with any combination of two or more cards that does not include an ace.
Hot 3
Side bet. Allows you to bet on the three-card combination that includes the player's initial cards and the dealer's face-up card. Each combination has a different payout based on the total score obtained (total of 19, total of 20, total of 21 of different suits, and 21 of the same suit).
Insurance
This is an optional bet made when the dealer shows an ace; it is based on the assumption that the dealer has a natural Blackjack (i.e. the hidden card is a 10 or a face card). This type of bet, if successful, pays double (2:1). We also discussed this in the article Blackjack Insurance.
No Card Bonus
Rule whereby the dealer does not provide bonus prizes for players who manage to draw a lot of cards without busting.
Payout
Amount of money that, according to probability calculations, the casino must return in the form of a prize to players who win. It is compared to the total amount of money transferred by all players and is given as a percentage.
Perfect Pairs
Blackjack side bet. Also called Any Pair in some cases. The player wins the bet if he receives a pair of cards of the same value and/or suit (with the first two cards dealt by the dealer). Each combination has a different payout. Read more about it in our Perfect Pairs guide.
Piece
Minimum bet chip, or more generally, chips with the value chosen as the unit of measure for one's bets.
Push
When the dealer and the player have the same score, neither has a bust (see Bust).
Resplit
A game rule allows players to split cards with the same value. Without this rule, the player may only split two identical cards once.
Side Bet
Many tables also offer the option of making side bets. These can only be used after making at least one bet in the main hand (see also Perfect Pairs, 21+3, Hot 3, Bust it). Players can win via side bets regardless of whether one's main hand wins.
Six Card Charlie
The optional rule allows players to win automatically if their hand consists of six cards, the total value of which is 21 or less, even if the dealer has a Blackjack. Similar but less popular rules are Five Card Charlie and Seven Card Charlie, where only the number of cards required to win without busting changes, i.e. 5 or 7, respectively. The "traditional" game option does not include using these rules at the table (see No Card Bonus).
Shoe
Container from which cards are drawn to be dealt to players.
Shuffling Machine
A machine used in casinos to automatically shuffle packs of cards.
Soft Hand
A hand of play with any two-card combination that includes an ace.
Split
The player chooses to split the initial hand into two and play them separately. In the traditional rules, this play is only allowed when the first two cards have the same value.
Stand
When the player decides not to request more cards, pass the turn.
Surrender
Blackjack surrender is only possible in some limited variants of the game and consists of a player's decision to withdraw from the hand, losing only half of the bet.
Tie
A tie between the dealer and the player.
Wager
Indicates how much the player bets at the table.
21 + 3
Side bet. Allows the player to bet on the combination of cards. In this case, the first two cards in the player's hand and the dealer's face-up card are counted. Winning combinations are similar to those in Poker, each with a different payout (Perfect Three of a Kind, Straight Flush, Three of a Kind).
Test yourself at the Blackjack table
This short guide to Blackjack is the basis for learning the rules and strategies to become an ace at the table of this popular card game!
Now that Blackjack has no more secrets, you can start practising and testing your knowledge at a blackjack table. You will find dedicated dealers and ask questions and trivia about the game!
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