Below are explainations of some common Blackjack terms for those new to the game.

Blackjack
A natural total of 21 dealt on the first two cards. A Blackjack always contains a Ace card and a 10 value card.

Bust
When a hard draws cards to a total of more than 21 it is said to Bust.

Card Counting
A strategy to get an edge at blackjack by keeping track of the ratio of high value card to low value ones that have already been played. The strategy can help the player to predict when a high value card is more likely to be dealt at a particular time in the game.

Draw
To take an additional card to attempt to get a total of 21 without busting.

Double Down
On the initial two cards, doubling down allows the player to double their initial bet and draw one more card. Some casinos allow doubling down after splitting pair. Typically it is best to double down on hard 11 hands as these have are more likely to draw to 21 with extra card.

Early Surrender
Is a rare rule offered by some casinos that allows the player to forfeit their hand for 50% of their original bet. Early surrender allows the player to forfeit before the dealer has checked their hole card for blackjack. See also late surrender.

Even Money
If the player has been dealt blackjack and the dealer is showing an ace they may offer even money instead of insurance. By taking even money the player will receive a payout at 1 to 1 immediately instead of the standard 3 to 2 payout for blackjack, regardless of whether the dealer gets blackjack or not. Even money gives a guaranteed payout, but in the long run favours the house.

Hard Hand
A hand that does not contain an Ace. See also hard total

Hard Total
If a hand doesn't contain an ace, then the total will always be termed a 'hard' total. If it includes an ace, then the ace will will be counted as 1 (not 11) in the hard total. E.g. A,5,3 will have a hard total of 9, and a soft total of 19.

Hole Card
The card that the dealer receives face down. The dealer may peek at the hole card, if their face up card is an Ace or a 10 value card, to check if they have blackjack. European and UK casinos typically don't allow the dealer to peek at the hole card.

Hit
Same as draw. To take an additional card to attempt to get a total of 21 without busting.

House Edge
The percentage advantage that the casino has over the player. The house edge depends upon the rules of the particular table, with some rules being more favourable to the player and some to the dealer.

Insurance
If the dealer has an ace they may offer insurance. This is a side-bet that the dealer holds a blackjack. The insurance bet is typically 50% of the original bet amount. If the player has blackjack then the dealer may offer even money instead of insurance.

Late Surrender
Late surrender allows the player to forfeit their hand for 50% of their original bet. Unlike early surrender the player can only surrender after the dealer has checked for blackjack. Late surrender is the typical surrender rule offered by casinos.

Natural
See blackjack.

Push
If both the player and dealer have the same total then it is referred to as a push. The player's bet is generally returned with a push.

Re-Split
If the player splits a hand and receives another card of the same value as the split card then they may be permitted to re-split the split hand. Most casinos limit the number of split hands a player can have in play as well as rule defining if re-splitting of aces is allowed.

Split
If the player recieves two cards of the same value then they are often allowed to split them into two separate hands. Each split hand receives an extra card. An additional bet must be placed on the new split hand equal to the bet of the original hand. A split hand cannot have blackjack but instead is classed as soft 21.

Shoe
The shoe is the stack of cards that the dealer deals from.

Soft Hand
A soft hand is one that contains an ace and can have two totals. E.g. A8 can total 9 or 19 depending on whether the ace is counted as 1 or 11.

Stand/Stick
To stop receiving additional cards on the player's current hand.

Surrender
By surrendering the player hand they will forfeit their hand for half of their original bet. See early surrender and late surrender.

Up Card
The dealer's up card is the card they are dealt face up. The face down card is their hole card.
