You can enjoy many casino table games at your favourite online casino, including blackjack. At a glance, blackjack is similar to baccarat, but key differences between the games may affect which one you decide to play.
If you’re new to this exciting game of chance, you might be confused by all the different blackjack terminology and what each phrase or word means. Read on to discover the key blackjack terms you should know when you play at an online casino for real money.
The Basic Rules of Blackjack
Before unpacking many of the most important blackjack terms, it’s equally important to understand the basic rules of blackjack so you can chart your way through your next blackjack game.
The aim of blackjack is to get a higher value hand than the dealer without collecting a total hand value over 21. At the beginning of a round of blackjack, you, the dealer, and any other players in the game each receive two cards. All player’s cards are dealt face-up while the dealer receives one face-up and one face-down card.
You and the other players then decide whether you want to stick with your current hand or receive an additional card to raise the value of your hand. If you ask for another card and you go above 21, you immediately lose and forfeit your wager. You can keep asking for additional cards until you’re happy with your hand or your hand value goes above 21.
When all players are happy with their hands, the dealer then reveals their face-down card. The following actions take place depending on the value of the dealer’s hand:
- The dealer must deal themselves an extra card if their hand is worth 16 or less.
- The dealer must stand if their hand is worth 17 or more.
- If the dealer’s hand is worth more than 21, they immediately lose.
- If the dealer has a hand worth more than yours while still being less than 21, you lose.
- If your hand and the dealer’s hand are of equal value, it’s a tie. This includes hands where both you and the dealer have a hand worth 21 based on the value of your first two cards.
Ultimately, players forfeit their bets, receive their payouts, or tie based on the final value of the dealer’s hand. As a player, you can influence the outcome of a blackjack game if you have the right blackjack strategies.
Blackjack Glossary
Now that you understand the basic rules of blackjack, it’s essential to understand the following terms to focus on having fun when you play blackjack online. These terms apply whether you’re playing online blackjack with a live dealer or blackjack in its traditional digital format.
Ace
An ace refers to the ace in a deck of playing cards. In blackjack, this card has a value of one or 11, depending on the total value of the other cards in your hand.
Blackjack
When a player or dealer receives a starting hand with an ace and a king, queen, jack, or 10, their starting hand is worth 21. It’s also referred to as a natural or natural blackjack.
Burn Card
A card that is discarded from the top of the deck before cards are dealt. Traditionally, this has been to prevent cheating in live blackjack play, where players would attempt to mark cards so they could see which card was coming next, or if they simply recognized an unusual marking on a particular card during play. This term is also used in other gambling card games.
Bust
When any player or dealer’s hand value goes over 21.
Double Down
This is a rule in some blackjack games where a player can choose to double their wager but only receive one more card.
Face Cards
Face cards are the king, queen, and jack. They are worth 10 in blackjack.
Hard Hand
A hand that doesn’t have an ace or which has an ace but it only has a value of one.
Heads Up
A blackjack game with only the dealer and one player.
Hit
To request another card for your blackjack hand.
Hole Card
A card that’s dealt face-down. Only the dealer receives a hole card in blackjack. This term is also used in other gambling card games.
House Edge
The advantage that the casino, also known as the house, has over a player in a particular game. In blackjack, the house edge can vary between 0.43% and 2%, depending on the rules and the skill of the player.
Insurance
If the dealer’s up card is an ace, players can choose to place an insurance side bet. This side bet provides the player with a payout of 2:1 if the dealer reveals their second card and the dealer has a natural blackjack.
Natural or Natural Blackjack
When a player or dealer receives a starting hand worth 21 that’s made up of an ace and king, queen, jack, or 10. It’s also referred to as a blackjack.
Push
When the dealer and a player’s hand values are equal. This is more commonly known as a tie. When a push occurs, the player’s wager is returned.
Round
When a game begins with no cards on the table until all players have been paid out or forfeited their wagers.
Side Bet
This is a wager made on specific outcomes in a game of blackjack. Some of the most popular side bets in blackjack are:
- 21+3: A wager on whether the first two cards dealt and the dealer’s up card will form a specific combination.
- Insurance: If the dealer has an ace face-up, players can wager on whether their face-down card will give them a natural blackjack. This side bet pays out 2:1.
- Perfect pairs: A wager on whether the player’s cards will form a specific combination.
Soft Hand
A hand that has an ace or which has a value of one or 11.
Stand
To decline to receive any more cards to raise the total value of your hand.
Surrender
To forfeit half of your wager if you’re unhappy with your hand. There are two types of surrender: early and late surrender. An early surrender occurs before the dealer checks their hole card. A late surrender occurs after the dealer has checked their hole card.
Up Card
A card that is dealt face-up. This term is also used in other gambling card games.
Great Blackjack Games at BetMGM Casino
Now that you understand these key blackjack terms, you might be interested in trying your luck with some exciting blackjack online casino games. Here are five great online blackjack titles you can find at BetMGM Casino:
- Blackjack 9 – Azure
- Blackjack Fortune Spinner Pro
- Blackjack Xchange
- Infinite Blackjack
- Premium Blackjack Pro