Pat [Meaning] - MasterTerms.com

In detail, the term “pat” is commonly used in games like draw poker, where players can choose to draw additional cards to improve their hands. If a player believes they already have the best hand possible with the cards they hold, they will declare that they have a “pat hand” and will not draw any additional cards. This indicates confidence in their hand and typically suggests that they may be willing to bet or raise based on their strong position.

Pat Example

For example, in a game of five-card draw poker, if a player is dealt a hand consisting of four aces and a two, they might say they have a pat hand. Since they are confident that no other player can beat four of a kind, they would choose not to draw any new cards.

Glossary: Pat
A Pat is a hand in Blackjack where the player has a total of 17 or higher and chooses not to take any more cards. This strategy is often used to avoid the risk of busting, as drawing additional cards could exceed the total of 21.
Glossary: Stand Pat
Stand Pat is a poker term used when a player decides not to draw any new cards, keeping their original hand as is.
Glossary: Pat Hand
A Pat Hand in blackjack refers to a hand with a value of 17 or higher that a player typically does not hit.

Alternative Meanings:

Pat
In Blackjack, the objective is to have a hand value closer to 21 than the dealer's hand without going over. When a player reaches a total of 17 or more, they typically "stand" or declare a Pat, indicating they do not want to receive additional cards. This decision is crucial because while a higher total increases the chances of winning, it also heightens the risk of busting, which happens if the total exceeds 21.
Pat Example
For example, if a player has an initial hand of 10 and 7, totaling 17, they may choose to declare a Pat and stand, rather than risking a bust by taking another card.