Online Blackjack Strategy
For all our Online Blackjack players, here is a complete glossary of terms used in the game, Check out the great online blackjack strategy guides and cheat sheets we have for you. Only at VIP Lounge Casino.
Action: A gambling term that refers to a specific amount of money wagered in a certain amount of time. Five bets of $20 each is $100 of action.
Banker: Usually the Dealer or online casino.
Bankroll: Money that a player has set aside to bet with.
Blackjack: A natural 21 using an Ace and a 10 or Face Card.
Bust: When the total value of a hand exceeds 21, the player loses the bet.
Card Counting: Tracking the cards that have been played in the past in order to gain an advantage over the Dealer in future hands.
Double: Doubling your initial bet after receiving the first two cards deal.
Draw: Addition of another card to your hand. Also called a "hit".
Even Money: When you cash in your bet at a 1:1 payout ratio.
Face Cards: Jack, Queen or King, all with a face value of 10.
Hard Hand: A hand in which any Ace is counted as a 1 and not as an 11. This is done to prevent the hand from exceeding 21 as it would then go bust.
Hit: Ask for another card to be dealt.
Hole Card: The Dealer's face down card.
Insurance: A bet that you place when the Dealer's up card is an Ace. You are betting half of your initial bet that the Dealer will get a natural blackjack. If the Dealer gets a natural blackjack the bet is one at 2:1 odds; if the dealer does not have a natural blackjack, the bet is lost.
Pat Hand: A hand worth a total of 17.
Push: The Dealer's hand and the player's hand have the same total, leading to the player's bet being returned.
Soft Hand: A hand in which an Ace is counted as 11 but whose value does not exceed 21. A hand can go from 'soft' to 'hard'. Take the example of an Ace and seven. It adds up to 18. If the player takes another card whose value is anything between 4 and 10, it means a bust. In this case, the Ace will assume a value of 1.
Split Hands: If the first two cards dealt are of equal value, you have the option to play them as two separate hands.
Stand: When a player decides not to hit anymore.
Stand Hand: A hand that has a total of a hard 17 or greater, when the player takes no further action.
Stiff Hand: Stiff hands are usually hands that are valued from 12 to 16 and have little chances of winning.
Up Card: The Dealer's first dealt card, placed face up.
