Burn Card [Meaning] - MasterTerms.com

Burn Card

A burn card is a card that is discarded from the top of the deck before play begins in a round of Blackjack.

In Blackjack, after the deck is shuffled and cut, the dealer discards the top card (or more, depending on the rules) to ensure that players cannot predict which card will come up next. This practice adds a layer of randomness to the game and prevents card counting. The burn card is placed face down and removed from play without being revealed to the players.

Burn Card Example

For example, after shuffling the deck, the dealer discards the top card face down before dealing two cards to each player, adding unpredictability to the upcoming hands.

Alternative Meanings:
  • Burn card
    The burn card is part of a security measure used in card games like Baccarat to ensure fairness. After the deck is shuffled and cut, the dealer will take the top card and "burn" it, meaning the card is discarded and not used in the game. This prevents any players from having prior knowledge about the first card in play. In some versions, multiple cards are burned depending on the value of the first card.

    Burn card Example

    For example, if the first card drawn is a 7, the dealer may burn 7 cards before dealing the actual hands.
  • Burn Card [BC]
    In poker, the dealer discards the top card of the deck face down before dealing the community cards, such as the flop, turn, or river. This is done to prevent any players from gaining an unfair advantage by identifying the top card of the deck. The burn card is never revealed to the players, and its use helps maintain the integrity of the game.

    Burn Card Example

    For example, in a Texas Hold'em game, before dealing the flop (the first three community cards), the dealer burns one card by discarding it face down and then deals the flop. This process is repeated before the turn and river cards are dealt.

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