What is Up Card?

The up card is the dealer's face-up card in blackjack — the only part of the dealer's hand that players can see before deciding whether to hit, stand, double or split. Every basic-strategy chart is arranged around it: your own total forms the rows and the dealer's up card forms the columns, because the same hand is played differently depending on what the dealer shows. Low up cards, particularly 4, 5 and 6, leave the dealer more likely to bust, while a 9, a ten-value card or an ace points towards a strong final total. An ace or ten also triggers the insurance offer or the peek at the hole card, depending on house rules. Knowing the up card narrows the uncertainty in a decision; it does not remove the built-in house edge.