Blackjack terminology you should know

From Macau to Monte Carlo, people all over the world have long been drawn to the bright lights and glamour of the world’s most famous casinos. And one of the first places that most people head for as soon as they enter the casino lobby is the blackjack table.

This classic card game has been entertaining the masses for over 300 years. With its mixture of luck and skill, many players believe that they have the best chance of winning with this game. And statistically, they’d be right. If you stick to your strategy and make your move at the right time, then the return to player in this game is over 99%.

However, before you sit down and take your cards, you need to know exactly what you are doing. It is possible to wing it and simply see what happens. But the high return to player demands that you know what moves to make and when to make them.

We aren’t going to pull apart the rules of the game and the moves you can make in this article. But you can follow this link to get a more detailed guide to online blackjack. There, you will find everything you need to know to get you started on the right track. And you’ll be ready to play blackjack online like a pro in no time.

Blackjack jargon

Of course, it isn’t just the rules of the game that can be confusing for newbies. Blackjack sites are littered with terminology that you may never have heard of before. So we are here to explain all the essential terms that you need to enjoy a blackjack online casino and hopefully walk away with some cash in your pocket.

Anchorman

Some people believe that the position you take at the table can affect your chances of winning. Statistically, it doesn’t matter where you sit but those who are watching the deck closely will tell you that the last player who sits just before the dealer can have a slight influence on the game. Believe what you will, but the anchorman is simply the last player to receive his cards before the dealer.

Burn card

When a dealer takes the first card and discards it face down, this is known as the burn card. Card marking can be an issue if the players are touching the cards. And those who know where a specific card will come in the pack can gain an advantage. So burning the first card takes away that possibility. However, nobody touches the cards at blackjack sites. Other than the live dealer, perhaps, if you’re playing live casino games.

Bust

It’s not something that you want to hear! When playing blackjack, you need to decide if you want more cards in an attempt to reach a total that is closer to 21. However, going over 21 means that you bust. And you are out of the game.

Cut card

With the introduction of a new shoe, a dealer will usually ask a player to cut the deck with a cut card. When the dealer reaches that card during the game, it indicates that a new shuffle is required.

Double down

After the deal, the action will move around the table until it lands on your turn. At this point, you can either continue in the regular way or you can ask to double down. This means that you will double your stake and only receive one more card. Many players only do this if their original total stands at 11.

Hit

If you require another card after seeing your first two, then you can hit which means you will receive another one. You can hit several times as long as the value does not go over 21.

Stand

If you like the look of your first two cards and are fairly certain that your total is enough to beat the dealer, then you don’t require any more cards. At this point, you can stand and the play will move on to the next person.

Split

If you are lucky enough to receive a matching pair for your first two cards, then you can split them. This creates two separate hands. But it will cost you twice as much as the second hand requires a stake as well. This option is possible while playing in person and at blackjack sites also.

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