Online Blackjack Glossary

Blackjack – A 2-card hand containing an Ace and a card 10 or higher. You will usually be paid 3-to-2 on your bet when dealt a blackjack hand.

Bust – When either a player’s hand totals more than 21 it is deemed bust and will be removed from play – forfeiting the bet. If the dealers hand goes over 21 this is also considered bust and any remaining players will win this hand.

Card Counting – An advanced strategy in which players keep track of the cards already dealt.

Double Down – The doubling of your bet after the first 2 cards have been dealt. Usually made in favorable circumstances such as when the dealer shows a 5 or 6.

Hit – When a player instructs the dealer to deal another card, usually indicated by tapping the table.

Insurance – An optional side-bet offered by many casinos when the dealer shows an ace.

Multi-Deck – A blackjack game in which several 52 card decks are used.

Pat Hand – A hand which totals 17 or higher in the first 2 cards.

Push – The situation in which the dealer and a player have the same score in a hand. The players initial bet is returned when this happens.

Single-Deck – A blackjack game in which only one 52 card deck is used.

Soft Hand – A hand which contains an Ace and a low card. The Ace can count as either 1 or 11 in this situation.

Split – When a player is dealt a pair they have the option to split them into 2 separate hands, adding a bet for each new hand created.

Stand – When a player does not wish to be dealt any further cards they will ‘stand’ with their current hand.

Surrender – An option offered by many casinos in which a player can discard their hand if the circumstances are not favorable, giving up half of their bet.

Upcard – The card visible in the dealer’s hand, this is a major factor in each player’s strategy in any hand.