basic strategy
a simple playing strategy used to reduce the casinos advantage without applying complex techniques such as card counting, shuffle tracking, or dealer tells. Basic playing strategy is the foundation of most card counting strategies. Basic strategies involves referring to a set strategy tables to make the player decisions. It is strongly advised that all beginners always follow these tables exactly.
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burn card(s)
After the dealer shuffles the cards, one or more of the cards may be "burned" before the he or she deals the cards. The cards the dealer removes are not burn cards are the cards taken out of the shoe without being dealt to the players or the dealer.

bust
after being dealt an extra card, the player is said to "bust" if the new card causes the total hand value to exceed 21.

card counting
a system used to lower the casino advantage over the player. Most systems assign "values" to each card. The count indicates when the bet is recommended or not recommended for a player. Based on the count, players make bigger or smaller bets and/or make changes their game strategy.
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cut card
a special plastic card that is used to cut the cards after the dealer shuffles.

 

double down
the players option to increase the initial wager by double and to only be dealt one more card. The option to double down is only usually allowed after the player has been dealt two cards, however some casinos allow the player to double down after splitting a pair.
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double for less
the players option to increase the initial wager for less than the first bet. In this situation a player is basically choosing to double down for a smaller amount than the original bet.

 

early surrender
the players option to surrender and only loose half of their initial bet. The early surrender is basically insurance against a dealer Blackjack.
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Even money
an Even Money bet is basically the same as the Insurance bet but it is named differently when the player has a Blackjack.
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flat bet
when there is a set wager amount to be played on every hand.

 

hard hand
a hand made up of an Ace valued at 1.

 

heads up
when there is only one person at any particular table.

 

hit
if a player elects to hit, the player is basically asking for another card. The player can keep hitting until satisfied with the total hand value, or until the hand value exceeds 21.
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hole card
the hole card is the dealer's card that is dealt face down and unknown to the player.

 

insurance
Insurance is the players option to make a protection bet against a dealer Blackjack when the dealer is showing an ace. Basically the insurance bet is a side bet that the dealers down card is a card valued at 10.
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late surrender
The late surrender Blackjack rule permits the dealer to check the value of the hole card before a player can surrender, and if the dealer has a 21 the player can not surrender.
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natural
if the player is dealt an ace and a card valuing 10 it is commonly referred to as a Blackjack or a Natural 21.

 

over/under
an over/under wager is the player option to bet that hand will value over or under 13 before the cards are dealt.

preferential shuffling
when it is favorable for a player the dealer will shuffle the decks.

 

push
a push is basically just a tie between a player and the dealer, a push is also commonly referred to as a stand off.

 

shoe
The shoe is the set of cards that the dealer uses. The shoe is usually made up of multiple decks and is normally keep within a plastic card dispenser on the table.

 

soft hand
a hand made up of an Ace valued at 11.

 

split hand
Splitting is the players option to split a hand into two separate hands after being dealt a matching pair, for example two 7’s, or two Queens.
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Spread
Spread betting involves making more than one wager before the cards are dealt, and allows the player to bet on a variety of different outcomes. By spreading bets a player has a good chance of winning at least one bet, however winning one bet usually means loosing another. It is important to note that spread betting reduces risk, but it also reduces winnings.

Stand
By standing a player is choosing not to be dealt an additional card. A player would stand when he or she is satisfied with the hand total, or when the odds are in the casinos favor that the additional card will cause the player to exceed 21.
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third base
Third base is the physical seat position next to the dealer, on the right hand side. Card counters prefer to sit at 3rd base because it gives them the opportunity to obtain a better count on the hand by counting the cards that are being dealt to the other players.

 

Upcard
The upcard is the dealer card that is dealt with the value showing.

 

Stiff Hand
A stiff hand is a bad hand. Hands valued from 12 to 16 are commonly referred to as stiff hands.

 

Surrender
Surrendering is the players option to back out of the original bet after the first two cards have been dealt. By surrendering the player only looses half of the initial bet.
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