Glossary - Blackjack Lingo for Dummies
If you play casino games, especially in live casinos, you've probably heard some terminology specifically related to casino play.
Even if you play mostly online, you may have read books or discussions using terminology you may not understand. Here are some basic casino terms to know for the game of online blackjack.
Blackjack: A ten and an ace on the first two cards, for 21. Blackjack usually pays 3-to-2, unless the dealer also has blackjack.
Bust: To go over 21. A bust is an automatic loss. Also refers to a complete loss of bankroll. "I played for three hours and then I went bust so I had to quit."
Break: Similar to Bust
Counting: Keeping track of the number of ten point cards remaining in the deck in order to raise your bet when the deck is rich in ten point cards, which favors the player.
Double: To put up an additional bet next to your original bet. The player doing this receives one additional card to improve his hand.
Double for Less: If a player does not have enough money for a full double he can "double for less," putting up between half a wager and a full wager to get his one additional card.
Five Card Charlie: Drawing to five cards without busting. In normal blackjack, nothing special attaches to a five card Charlie. In certain variations, a five card Charlie can be an automatic win with a better than even money payout.
Hard Hand: A hand that can break if hit. Any hand worth 12 points or more without an ace.
Insurance: If the dealer has an ace showing, insurance is the option to put up an additional half bet that the dealer has blackjack. If the dealer has blackjack, the player breaks even on the hand. If not, he loses the half bet and play proceeds normally.
Soft Hand: A hand that cannot be busted with an additional card, any hand 11 or lower or any two card holding containing an ace.
Spanish 21: A variation of blackjack with the tens removed. Additional favorable rules make up for this stripping of the deck, which favors the House.
Wonging: Watching a blackjack game without playing and then stepping in when the point count is highly player favorable. Named after professional blackjack player Stanford Wong.
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