Blackjack Terminologies
The following are terminologies used by Blackjack players. Some words or terms are exclusively used in Blackjack only while others are more generic.
Action - this term is use in gambling in general. This refers to the amount that the player bets at a specific time.
Anchor - this is the seat taken by player from the dealer's right side.
Bankroll - this is the available money that players have and plan to bet in their game sessions.
Basic Strategy - this is a tactic used by player to increase their winning odds.
Black Chip - color of the chips that are worth $100.
Blackjack - your first two cards have a total of 21.
Break or Bust - player's cards exceeds 21.
Burn Card - one or more card taken from the deck, this card is placed in the discard tray.
Cage - this term is short for cashier's cage. This is the place where players exchange their cash for chips.
Card Counting - player's strategy of tracking cards that came from the shoe or that have been dealt by the dealer.
Cold Streak - this happens when players are losing consistently.
Comps - these are complimentary items (room, food, shows, drinks) that are given to high rollers by the casino.
Counter - is someone counting the cards.
Cut Card - this is used by players to cut the cards after the dealer shuffles them. This is normally a colored plastic card.
Double Down - this means that players are doubling their initial bet after they received their initial cards.
Draw - this means that player is calling for an additional card.
Drop Percentage - this means the proportion that the casino will have because of the house percentage.
Early Surrender - this is an option given to players if they want to surrender before the dealer check cards for blackjack.
Even Money - this means that players earned 1:1 payout.
Face Card - these are cards with faces like Jacks, Queens and Kings.
Face Down Game - this means that the first card dealt is facing upward while the second card is dealt facing downward.
Face Up Game - this means that cards are dealt facing upward.
First Base - seat located at the dealer's left. First player that cards will be dealt.
Flat Bet - betting an amount without changing. If you bet at $10, it will be for every hand you'll play.
Green Chip - color of chips that are worth $25.
Hard Hand - a hand with an Ace.
Hard Total - a hand with or without an Ace.
Heads On - this means one on one with the dealer.
Heat - this is the pressure that the casino is putting on the winning player.
High Roller - this is what they call a player who is a big bettor.
Hit - same as draw.
Hole Card - these are cards owned by the dealer that are facing down.
Hot Streak - this is happening when the player is winning consistently.
House - this is another term for Casino.
Insurance - this is another kind of side bet.
Junket - this is what they call a group of gamblers.
Late Surrender - this is an option given to players, they are allowed make surrender as long as the dealer does not have blackjack.
Marker - this is an IOU. A credit line given to worthy players only.
Mechanic - this is a person that manipulates the cards.
Natural - the first two cards have a total of 21.
Odds - this is the chances that players have in winning.