Blackjack, often referred to as 21, is one of the most popular card games in many casinos. To better understand the game, it’s crucial to understand the key terms associated with Blackjack, especially if you decide to play Premium Blackjack online.
This handy glossary will walk you through the essential terms every player should know, so let’s get into it…
- Blackjack
This term is what the game is known as and refers to a specific hand that consists of an Ace and a 10-value card (10, Jack, Queen, or King). It is the best possible hand and beats any other hand except another Blackjack, which results in a push (a tie).
- Bust
To bust means to exceed a hand total of 21, which results in an automatic loss. For example, if you have a hand totalling 15 and draw an 8, your hand total becomes 23, and you bust.
- Hit
To hit is when you request an additional card from the dealer. Players can continue to hit until they decide to stand or go bust.
- Stand
To stand means to keep your current hand and not request any additional cards when you’re satisfied with their hand total or believe that hitting could lead to a bust.
- Split
When dealt two cards of the same value, a player can choose to split them into two separate hands. Each hand then receives an additional card, and the player continues to play each hand individually.
- Insurance
When the dealer’s upcard (face-up card) is an Ace, players are offered insurance, a side bet that the dealer has a Blackjack.
- Surrender
A player can forfeit their hand and lose only half of their original bet, typically available only on the initial two cards.
- Soft Hand
A hand that contains an Ace valued as 11. For example, an Ace and a 7 is a soft 18. With a soft hand, if you bust by hitting, you can convert the Ace to a one, preventing you from exceeding 21.
- Hard Hand
A hard hand does not contain an Ace, or the Ace is counted as 1. This means that a hand consisting of a 10 and an 8 is a hard 18. Hard hands like their name suggests are more rigid compared to soft hands, as busting cannot be avoided by altering the value of the cards.
- Push
A push occurs when both the player and the dealer have hands of equal value. In this case, the player’s bet is returned, and no money is won or lost.
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Understanding these terms can make for a better time playing the game, so you can grasp the game mechanics and what you could potentially do within a game. Whether you’re hitting, standing, or wanting to split your cards, knowing the terminology will help you the game to its fullest. So next time you sit at the Blackjack table, whether that’s in-person or online, this glossary will be sure to help you out!
