When playing Blackjack, you need to know several important terms. Knowing the terminology when playing Blackjack will allow you to make the best decisions concerning your hand and your bet.

Action

Action is a generic gambling term referring to the total amount of money bet in a specific period of time. Ten bets of ten dollars each equals $100 of action.

Blackjack

Blackjack is not only the name of the game, but also it refers to when a player’s cards total 21 on the first hand.

Bust or Break

When a player’s hand exceeds 21; this is a losing hand. If the dealer busts, then the players will win.

Counter

A counter is a player who counts cards by remembering played cards to determine the probability that the needed cards will come into play during the game.

Draw or Hit

To draw, or hit, means a player calls a card to add it to his or her current hand. If a player has a total of less than 16, they will generally ask for a hit.

Early and Late Surrender

In general, the term surrender means that the player can get out early by giving up the hand and losing only half of the original bet. Early surrender is when surrender is allowed before the dealer checks with all the players for Blackjack. Thus, if you know you are going to lose, you can go ahead and surrender before cards are called. Late surrender is allowed only if the dealer does not have blackjack.

Face Down and Face Up Games

In a face down game, the first card for each player is dealt face up, while the second is dealt facing down. In a face up game, both cards are dealt face up.

Pat Hand

A pat hand is a hand that has a total between 17 and 21. If you have a pat hand, you will likely want to stand rather than get hit, because at that point you are much more likely to go over 21, or bust.

Stand or Stay

To stand or stay is the term used by players when they do not want another card.