Petit glossaire du blackjack

You know “21”, but freeze when someone mentions a “soft hand”, a “split” or “insurance”? No worries. Blackjack is fun, fast, but a bit technical at first. So to help you play like a pro, or at least follow what’s happening at the table, we’ve prepared a glossary of the most useful terms.
Ready to decode the basics of online blackjack? Let’s go!

The basics to know

BLACKJACK

The name of the game… and the best possible hand! An Ace + any 10-value card (10, J, Q or K) = instant 21. An unbeatable hand (unless the dealer also has blackjack).

SOFT HAND / HARD HAND

A soft hand contains an Ace that can count as 1 or 11 (e.g. A-6).

A hard hand has no Ace, or an Ace that can only count as 1 (e.g. 10-7). Hard hands are riskier, since you can easily go over 21.

HIT / STAND

Hit = ask for another card.
Stand = stop drawing. It’s up to you to decide if your hand can still improve or if it’s better to stop before busting.

BUST

You go over 21? You lose. We say you “bust”, you’re out, no matter what the dealer’s hand is.

PUSH

You and the dealer have the same total? Nobody wins, nobody loses. Your stake is returned.

Actions and possible bets

DOUBLE DOWN

You double your stake and get only one more card. Ideal when you have 10 or 11 and the dealer’s showing a small card.

SPLIT

You’ve got a pair (e.g. two 8s)? You can split them into two separate hands and keep playing, twice the chances (or twice the risks).

INSURANCE

Offered when the dealer’s upcard is an Ace. You place an extra side stake to protect yourself in case the dealer has blackjack. Usually not recommended, unless you’re counting cards…

21+3 (SIDE BET)

A side bet based on your two cards plus the dealer’s visible one. If they form a poker hand (three of a kind, flush, etc.), you win a bonus payout.

Technical (but useful) terms

HOUSE EDGE

The percentage advantage the casino holds in the long run. The lower it is, the better for you. In blackjack, it can drop below 1% if you play well.

BASIC STRATEGY

A chart or method that tells you what to do in each situation based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard. A great tool to reduce the casino’s edge.

S17 / H17

Rules that apply to the dealer:
S17 = the dealer stands on soft 17 (with an Ace).
H17 = the dealer must hit on soft 17.
S17 is more favorable to players.

NATURAL

A blackjack in two cards. If you get one and the dealer doesn’t, you’re paid 3:2. The best way to win fast.

CHIPS

No cash at the table, you play with chips, each with its own color and value.

Bonus: the savvy player’s glossary

BET BEHIND

No seat at the table? You can bet behind another player and win (or lose) alongside them.

ANCHOR

The player sitting to the dealer’s right, who acts last. Some consider it a “strategic” seat since you can observe all the other moves before playing.

PERFECT PAIR

A side bet where you win a nice bonus if your first two cards are identical (same value, same color).

Chip’s little tips :
Try a demo game first. It helps you get familiar with the terms and mechanics without pressure.
Read the rules for each version. They vary between tables (S17, DAS, number of decks, etc.).

👉 Need a hand figuring things out? Check out our blackjack guide before jumping in for real.

You’ll find all our live blackjack tables in the Live Casino section at Casino1. Whether you’re a beginner or a 21 regular, there’s always a hand waiting for you!