How to Understand Basic Blackjack Terminology

Any time you play blackjack, whether it is in a live game in a casino or an online blackjack game, you should be aware of the most commonly used terms. You will better understand blackjack and play with confidence when you know the lingo of the popular game. Another advantage of knowing the most often used blackjack words is that you will not be seen as a new player, even if you really are. The following are the terms most often heard blackjack slang.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. First base is the first player to act every hand. This is the player seated on the dealer’s left side.

2. Third base, or anchor, is the last player to act each hand. This player is seated on the dealer’s right side.

3. Blackjack is the card game of 21 (twenty-one). It is also used when a player has an Ace and any card with the value of 10 on the first two cards dealt. This hand is often referred to as a "natural," and usually has a better payoff than other hands.

4. Breaking hand (hard hand or stiff hand) is any blackjack hand that has a total from 12 to 16. This hand could bust by adding one more card.

5. Burn card is the card removed from the newly shuffled deck, before any other cards are dealt.

6. Bust is when your hand totals more than twenty-one. You must forfeit your cards when this happens.

7. Double down is when you double your bet and receive only one additional card.

8. Hit is when you draw another card.

9. Hole card is the card placed under the dealer’s face up card.

10. Insurance is an optional side bet that you could make when the dealer has an Ace card face up. You are betting the dealer will have a natural blackjack.

11. Push is when your hand has the same value (tie) as the dealer’s hand. You do not win or lose your bet.

12. Soft hand is a hand with an Ace that can have the value of 1 or 11. This hand cannot bust by adding one more card.

13. Split is when you separate two (same value) cards into two hands.

14. Stand is when you do not want any additional cards.

15. Toke is a dealer’s tip.

Tips & Warnings

• Many blackjack players believe the most important seat on a table is the anchor or 3rd base seat. This is because the player holding this position can make or break the dealer, or so it is believed. It is best to avoid this seat, unless you are willing to take the heat of it.
• An Ace has a value of one or eleven in the game of blackjack.
• If you split two Aces and receive any ten-value card, you have 21, not blackjack.
• The most common double down blackjack hand is one with the value of ten or eleven.