Blackjack Terminology21 - the additional name for the game of Blackjack.
Basic Strategy - a method of play that offers the player the mathematically correct way to play each hand.
Bet - a wager made by the player.
Blackjack - originally a marketing term, this has become the standard name for the game of 21; also used to refer to a Natural.
Burn Card(s) - any cards immediately taken out of play by the dealer after a shuffle.
Card Counting - a playing strategy based on assigning values to cards; those values (the "count") is added to a starting value as the cards are dealt from the deck.
Casino - a place where games of chance are played.
Casino Manager - the general manager of the casino.
Check - the markers used in place of currency. Also called "chips".
Chip - a token or marker used in place of currency. In the casino they are called "checks".
Chop - term used to designate a blackjack game with no discernible pattern.
Clump Theory - a playing strategy based on the notion that cards become grouped according to "big" or small" cards, and that this information can be used to beat the game.
Crossroader - a cheat.
Dealer - the person who is conducting the game.
Double Exposure - a form of Blackjack offered by some casinos whereby the players are allowed to see the bottom (hole) card of the dealer.
First Base - the player to the immediate left of the dealer.
Floorman - supervisor of the gaming tables.
Hole Card - the second, or unseen, card dealt to the dealer.
Insurance - a side bet asking the player whether of not they think the dealer has a 10-value card in the hole.
Marked - any method used to alter the face or edge of a card in order to be able to identify it from the marking at a later time.
Natural - the first two cards dealt to the player totaling 21; comprised of a 10-value card and an Ace.
Parlay - a system of betting where all winnings are placed back into action with the original bet.
Pat - hand totals of 17 or higher.
Percentage - see Vigorish.
Pit - the ring of gambling tables in a casino.
Pit Boss- see Floorman; supervisor of the gaming tables.
Player - gambler. A bettor.
Punter - player; bettor (England).
Push - no action; neither the player nor the house win. A tie.
Royal Match - a form of Blackjack offered by some casinos whereby the player makes a side bet that their first two cards will be of the same suit.
Shiner - any device used to try and glimpse the dealer's hole card.
Shuffling - any of a number of standardized ways of mixing the cards after one or more hands have been played.
Spook or Spooking - attempting to glimpse the dealer's hole card.
Stiff - hand totals of 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16.
Surrender - an optional method of play offered by some casinos whereby the player can "surrender" their hand and give up 1/2 of their original bet.
System - any advanced plan of strategy and/or money management.
Table Limit - smallest and largest bets allowed on the table.
Third Base - the player to the immediate right of the dealer. the last person to play.
Up Card - the first, or seen, card dealt to the dealer.
Token or Toke - a tip. The gratuity some players give to dealers.
Unit - any fixed quantity when used to describe types of bets or systems.
Vigorish (Vig) - the house percentage.
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