Blackjack Terminology - Let's Clear the Confusion!

Back Counting
Blackjack terminology for when a card counter waits for the deck to have a favorable count before sitting down to play.

Balanced Count
A card counting system that starts the count at zero. Most card counting methods use a balanced count.

Basic Strategy
A strategy for hitting, standing, doubling and splitting, that is based on the dealer's up card. Each action taken by the player is based on the best statistical odds, given the dealer's up card. For non-card counters, it is the best possible Blackjack strategy to play.

Bet Spread
Blackjack terminology for the difference between a player's minimum bet and maximum bet, depending on the betting strategy used. A player who uses $50 maximum bets and $5 minimum bets is said to have a 10:1 bet spread.

Burn Cards
After a shuffle and cut, burn cards are the cards discarded by the dealer without being dealt. One or more cards may be "burned" before the deal begins.

Bust
Blackjack terminology for when a player takes a hit and receives a card that puts the total over 21 and thus a losing hand.

Card Clump Reading
A process wherein clumps of high or low cards are recognized and tracked through the next shuffle, in order to tell approximately when they will be next dealt.

Card Counting
A system for increasing the player's edge by assigning a point value to each card and then tracking the total "count" of cards dealt. This count gives an indication as to if the remaining cards to be dealt are more favorable to the dealer or to the player. The player can then adjust the next bet accordingly.

Cut Card
A plastic card – usually colored yellow – the player uses to cut the deck after the shuffle.

Double Down
To double down means you can double your original bet after you receive your first two cards (although you can wager less than your original bet). Sometime the rules at a particular table may allow a double down on hands that have more than two cards, but this is rare because it gives the player slightly better odds. When you double down, you receive one – and only one- additional card. If your win, you are paid even money for both bets. If you lose, you lose both bets.

Early Surrender
Means you can surrender even if the dealer has a Blackjack. This is rarely offered because it gives the player much more favorable odds.

First Base
Blackjack terminology for the first player to the dealer's left, which is the first player to be dealt cards.

Flat Bet
To bet the same amount on every hand.

Hard Hand
Blackjack terminology for a hand that has no Aces in the count, or one that has an Ace that has to be counted as one to avoid going over 21.

Heads Up
Playing one-on-one with the dealer, at a table with no other players.

Hit
Taking an additional card in an attempt to improve your hand.

Hole Card
Blackjack terminology for the dealer's face down card.

Insurance
An additional bet you can make whenever the dealer's up card is an Ace. You wager an amount equal to one half your original bet. If the dealer has a Blackjack, you lose your original bet but are paid 2:1 for your insurance bet, which means you break even on that hand.

Late Surrender
Means you can't surrender if the dealer has a Blackjack.

Natural
Another Blackjack terminology word for "Blackjack." This is a hand that totals exactly 21 on the first two cards and pays the player 3:2.

Over/Under
An additional bet that is very seldom offered. That player bets that the first two cards will total either over 13 or under 13, counting Aces as one. If the total is exactly 13, the player loses. This bet has very unfavorable odds for the player and should not be made.

Penetration
The percentage of cards dealt before a shuffle takes place. A high percentage of penetration is important to card counters because the more cards that have been dealt, more accurate the count.

Preferential Shuffling
A shuffle made when the deck is favorable for the players, while avoiding a shuffle when the deck is unfavorable to the players. As a result, an unfavorable deck (which is Blackjack terminology for a deck rich in low cards) remains in play longer, resulting in more profit for the house.

Push
When the player and dealer hands have the same count. This is a tie and the player's bet is returned.

Running Count
In card counting, the total count of cards that have been dealt since the shuffle. It is used as a measurement of how favorable or unfavorable the remaining undealt cards are to the player.

Shoe
A box used multi-deck games, which holds the undealt cards.

Shuffle Tracking
A procedure wherein the player tracks favorable cards (which is Blackjack terminology for tens, face cards and Aces) that have been discarded, in order to follow them through the shuffle and predict when these favorable cards will next be dealt.

Soft Hand
A hand that includes an Ace that can be counted as either one or 11 without exceeding 21. A soft hand can always take one additional hit without going over 21.

Split Hand
When a player receives a pair on the first two cards, they can be split into two hands, with each one played independently. A second bet equal to the first bet must be placed on the second hand.

Spread
To bet more than one hand.

Stand
When the player chooses to not take additional cards.

Stiff Hand
Blackjack terminology for any hand that can bust (go over 21) with one additional card. This usually refers to hands with a count of 12 – 16 (because most players stand on 17 and higher).

Surrender
Means that if the player does not like the first two cards, they can be surrendered, at a cost of one half the original bet, in order to not play out the remainder of the hand.

Ten Poor
A deck that has a lower than average number of tens and face cards yet to be dealt. This is unfavorable to the player.

Ten Rich
A deck that has a greater than average number of tens and face cards yet to be dealt. This is favorable to the player.

Third Base
The last player to the dealer's right, which is the player to receive cards last.

True Count
A card count that is adjusted based on the number of undealt decks. This adjustment is usually done by dividing the running count by the number of undealt decks or half-decks.

Unbalanced Count
A card counting system that begins the count with a value other than zero.

Upcard
The dealer's face up card. Playing decisions are usually made based on the dealer's up card.

Wonging
A method wherein a card counter will place bets only when the count is favorable and sit out hands where the count is unfavorable.

If you have other Blackjack terminology words you don't understand, please let us know and we will be happy to email you an explanation.