Blackjack Glossary
Anchor
The anchor is a casino glossary term that notes the last player at the blackjack table or another card game. Because the anchor is usually to the dealer’s right, they serve as a wild card because they move before the dealer shows their hand.
Bust
Having a total over 21.
Card Counting
In a card game like blackjack, players keep tabs, either mentally or illegally, with another player to track which high-value cards, like aces and tens, have already been dealt. Most casinos will throw out players suspected of card counting.
Color Out
If you need to exchange larger value chips for smaller ones, that process is called color out. It leads to trading down for cash or smaller value chips.
Color Up
If you’re ready to increase the amount of money to gamble, then color up your chips to larger value ones.
Deck Penetration
Deck penetration is the percentage of cards the dealer has already passed out in a round. Cards will either return to the deck or be discarded for a new one.
Doubling Down
Blackjack players sometimes double their initial bet based on their first two cards, allowing them to receive a third card while standing for the rest of the hand.
Even-Money Bet
An even-money bet is a 1:1 payout percentage, meaning your bet pays the same as your original amount.
Five Card Charlie
A bonus or automatic win in some games when a hand contains five cards without busting.
Flat Betting
Flat betting involves wagering the same amount of money through several rounds, ignoring strategies and odds.
Hit
The action of requesting an additional card in blackjack.
Hit 17
A rule that requires the dealer to take a hit when they have a soft 17. This compares to the Stand 17 rule.
Insurance Bet
A side bet created by the player in case the dealer hits blackjack after showing an ace.
Natural
An unbeatable hand, considered a 21 in blackjack and an 8 or 9 in baccarat.
Push
In case of a tie, like in sports betting, the player’s bet is returned.
Shoe
In baccarat games, the shoe is where the cards are dealt from; it may be held by the dealer or banker, depending on the game variation.
Soft 17
A soft 17 occurs when the dealer’s first two cards have an ace and another card worth six; the ace is counted as eleven.
Split
Make two separate hands from your original two cards, only if they are the same value (i.e., split your pair of 2’s).
Stand 17
A rule in blackjack that requires the dealer to stand when sitting on a soft 17, as opposed to hitting.
