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Glossary of Blackjack
In the game of Blackjack one uses a specific terminology: Hit, Stand, Split, Double down, Insurance and Surrender. These are the different choices offered to players. Also, one should know that sign language in casinos is really important. With his fingers, the player will clearly show his intention to the dealer.
HIT: the player asks for as many cards as he wishes, as long as he hasn't gone over a total number of 21. Otherwise he 'busts'. The dealer collects his bet, and the player has lost.
STAND: if the player has enough cards and he doesn't want anymore, he 'stands'.
SPLIT: if the player receives two cards of the same value, he can split them into two hands by adding the value of the initial bet. The dealer will take care to separate the two cards, which will allow the player to 'hit' or 'stand' again. If he 'busts', the bet is collected by the dealer. What one should know is that if the player separates a pair of aces, he can only draw one card per Ace.
DOUBLE DOWN: once the first two cards have been dealt, the player has the chance to double his initial bet. This means that the two cards he has received at the beginning give him a total of 9, 10 or 11. The player will double his bet according to the card of the dealer. To do this, he must be confident. If he doubles, he will only receive one additional card. Of course the advantage is that he can win twice. But for this, he must be confident in his hand.
INSURANCE: if the dealer's card is an Ace, (which means a high probability of making Blackjack), the player can take an 'insurance'. He will bet an amount equivalent to half of his first bet. In the event the dealer gets a Backjack, the player loses his initial bet but doubles his insurance bet (he therefore ends up with an amount equal to its initial bet. Therefore, he has neither won nor lost. If, on the other hand, the bank doesn't get a Blackjack and loses, the player wins but loses his insurance bet. If the bank doesn't get a Blackjack but wins, the player loses his initial bet as well as his insurance bet.
