Blackjack Glossary
121 Blackjack terms & expressions
This Blackjack reference explains terms & expressions used by players and casinos around the world. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, but here you can read up on those expressions that you'll most likely encounter when playing Blackjack. You'll probably find that you can play the game knowing only a handful of the expressions listed here. But if you are interested in knowing a bit more about Blackjack and its interesting and colorful Blackjack terminology, then by all means, read on. Enjoy!
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Session
Any time that is spent playing the games at the casinos. -
Shooter [Black Jack]
The 'Shooter' is the most important person at the craps table when playing at a land based casino. This is the person who the game is based around. They are ordinary players and only roll the dice for one round of play. While they are shooting they are part of the game and people bet on the way their dice will land. Then the shooter passes the dice to the person to their left so they can begin their game. -
Short Buying
Purchasing chips after your initial purchase. -
Short-Handed
A game with few players. -
Soft Hand
A hand that consists of an Ace that is counted as 11, such as a hand made up of an Ace and 6 which totals 17 (Soft 17). -
Split
When two cards of the same rank are dealt (such as a 3,3), you may "split" these cards, thereby playing two separate hands instead of one. -
Stack
Chips in front of a player. -
Stand
If you are happy with your hand and don't need any additional cards you can refuse to take any additional cards that could make you go over the 21 points limit. -
Stand Off
Your total is the same as the Dealer's total, also refered to as "Tie" or "Push". In this case the player's bet simply is returned. -
Surrender
This option allows you to give up your current hand while losing only half of your initial bet.
