Online
Blackjack
RulesOnline
Blackjack
Rulesand Definitions
By Ernie Elwell
This article provides 21 Online Blackjack rules and definitions of how to play blackjack and the jargon you need to know:
1. "Hit" ...in online Blackjack means to take another card.
2. "Stand" ...means to refuse any more cards and stick with what you've got in the hope it wins.
3. "Bust" ...means you've drawn a card that has taken you over 21, i.e. made you exceed a count of 21 in total with all the cards you've got in your hand.
4. "Blackjack" ...Two card 21 (i.e. an ace with a 10).
5. "Push" ...A tie between the player and the dealer. This means the bet is a draw so neither the player nor the dealer wins.
6. "Soft Hand" ...Any hand where an ace is being used as an 11 and so cannot bust when taking another card. It means you are currently counting the ace as an 11 and so can afford to hit without fear of busting. This is because if you go over 21 using the ace as 11, you can use it as a 1 instead.
7. "Hard Hand" ...Opposite to a soft hand. No ace is in the hand so you can bust on the turn of the next hit if you have 12 or more.
8. "Double Down" ...This is where a player increase the stake of his bet by doubling his original wager. However, the player is only then allowed one more card. A player would usually do this when he feels he has a good chance of a good hand with one more card compared to what the dealer has. You have to recognise these favorable situations, it's not difficult. See blackjack strategies within this website.
9. "Splitting Pairs" ...When the player has received two cards of the same denomination he may split them into two separate hands. So two 8s can be split into two separate hands of 8 as apposed to 16. As with doubling up, you would only really want to take advantage of this option based on certain criteria (i.e. only ever split pairs of aces and 8s). Reasons why are explained elsewhere in this site.
10. "Resplit" ...This is splitting (see above) again within an already split pair. This would leave a player with three hands. Most casinos will not allow you to split more than this.
11. "Double After Split" ...This means the casino allows you to double down (see 7) after splitting pairs.
12. "Insurance" ...This is where you place a separate bet within your original bet whenever the dealer has a possible blackjack. When the dealer has an ace face up you can bet half your original stake that the dealer gets blackjack. If you decide to take the insurance bet the payout should you win is 2 - 1. So if you lose your original bet because the dealer gets blackjack you will break even having taken o the insurance bet.
13. "Twist" ...Means the same as "hit", see answer 1.
14. "Stick" ...Means the same as "stand", see answer 2.
15. "Up Card" ...When the dealer deals to him/herself the first two cards are dealt with one face down and one face up. The card that is dealt face up is called the "up card". The card dealt face down is called the "down card" or sometimes the "hole card".
16. "Face Up Game" ...Is when all players cards are dealt face up (which, of course, is always the case when playing online as you cannot handle the cards). It's also usually practiced in most casinos I've seen. It is typical in games with four or more decks. If the casino is playing a single or double deck of cards often the players cards are dealt face down so the players can pick them up. However its more common to play face-up games where the players may NOT touch the cards they are deal.
17. "Pitch" ...This basically means to deal. Its a method in which the dealer takes the top card off the deck to pitch it across the table to each player.
18. "Shoe" ...Simply a box used to hold the cards.
19. "Cut Card" ...This is interesting and something handy to know when you play blackjack at a casino. When the dealer shuffles a new deck together ready for the start of play with a new deck he/she may offer you a cut card. It is a plastic card that you use to cut the deck with. Simply slide it anywhere in the deck to cut it. The dealer will then place the top of the deck (at your cut point) to the bottom. It's a part of the shuffling process. After the deck is shuffled, cut and the dealer is ready for start of play again, you'll probably notice the dealer will finally (before play begins) place the cut card somewhere in the middle of the deck. This is the point at which the cards will be shuffled again. So the dealer continues dealing through the deck until he/she gets to the cut card again - then play will be stopped once more for a shuffle (after the hand in progress has finished). So why does the dealer put the cut card somewhere in the middle of the deck and shuffle quite often. This is an indication of how the casinos fear card counters. The more cards are played out from a deck the more accurate a count can be kept.
20. "Dealers Rules" ...These may differ very slightly from casino to casino. The rules are always clearly displayed and will state something like "Dealer must draw to 16 and stand on all 17s," or "Dealer must hit soft 17."
21. "Basic Strategy" ...The basic strategy for playing blackjack to lower the house advantage is: If the bank has a 2 to 6 you should stand on 12 upwards. If the bank has 7 to 10 - or an ace - try and get between 17 to 21 and stand if you do manage to get within this range. Always split when you get two aces or two 8s, and always double your stake when you get 10 or 11 and the bank has a 5 or 6. There are a few more fine points but that basically it.
Good luck!
Ernie Elwell
See also:
Free Blackjack Strategy,
Free Roulette Strategy and and
Free Video Poker Strategy
© Copyright 2008 Ernie Elwell - All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The free blackjack strategies listed do not represent any solicitations to playing blackjack or casino gambling. Check your local, state and national government laws before gambling online. We are not liable or responsible for any illegal activities or for any monies gained or lost from any of these free blackjack strategies or the online casinos listed above. . Terms And Conditions Of Use, New, Free Money Making Ideas...Fast and Easy Business Opportunities!