European Blackjack Online
A popular variant of Blackjack that is playable in most casinos is European Blackjack, a card game that is played with up to eight decks of cards or a continuous rotation of playing cards. Similar to other table games, European Blackjack is playable across devices and available as a live dealer production too. Although European Blackjack online is fun, easy to play, and widely available, it still helps if a player completely understands the rules. In this game guide, we review how European Blackjack works and a few tips on how you can improve your chances of winning.
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European Blackjack Pros & Cons
Pros
- Doubling down is allowed
- Low variance card game
- Pays 3:2 for a blackjack
Cons
- Doubling down and splitting options are limited
- Higher casino edge compared to American Blackjack
Rules In European Blackjack
In European Blackjack, you are playing against the house instead of the other players. In most casinos, each game uses one to eight decks of playing cards or a continuous rotation of the cards. It shares the same point system for cards, with Royals assigned a score of 10, Aces a 1 or 11, and 2 to 9 cards retaining their face values. At the start of each round, you need to set your wager. You can do this by clicking on a casino chip that represents the amount that you want to play. After deciding on a wager, just select the ‘Deal’ button. The system will then deal you with two cards with the same number of cards assigned to the Dealer.
Based on the value of the cards, you need to decide whether to ‘Stand’ or ‘Hit’. In online European Blackjack, a player wins immediately if he collects a blackjack hand- an Ace and a 10-value. In case the Dealer has the same combo, the round enters a ‘push’. If the Dealer or the Player loses immediately if the hand goes bust or its total value exceeds ‘21’.
Hit, Stand, Double Down, Split
If the player’s hand value is less than 21, then he can choose from the following options:
- Hit. You can choose this option if you are not satisfied with the hand value and you want another card from the deck.
- Stand. This is the selection of the player if he is satisfied with the value of his hand and he no longer requires an extra card.
- Double Down. To double down means to double the original bet and collect another card.
- Split. If a player receives two cards of similar value, like 8-8, he has the option to split this into two hands which can be played separately.
After the player makes a decision, the Player’s and the Dealer’s hands are compared. As mentioned, the game’s objective is to score the best hand by getting close to 21 without going over this number.
European Blackjack vs American Blackjack
The European and American Blackjack are two of the most popular variants of this classic card game. Although they share a common history and general gameplay, European Blackjack online is still different which offers a unique gambling experience.
- Hole card. There is no hole card in the European variant. In this game, the dealer assigns the initial card face up, but does not deal the second until the other players have played their cards.
- Dealer does not peek into the cards. In both variants, the player is given the opportunity to play the Insurance bet if the up card is an Ace. Now, in the US variant, the dealer takes a look at the hole card to check for blackjack. If yes, the insurance bet is paid. However, this does not happen in the online European Blackjack. Instead, the Dealer allows the other players to play out their hands before confirming for a blackjack.
- Doubling down is only available in the European variant. Yes, it is possible to double down on this variant but on certain occasions only. For example, a double down is allowed if the player’s hand comes with a value of nine to 11.
- Limited splitting option in European Blackjack online. This variant offers strict rules when it comes to splitting cards of the same value. You can only split once and it’s only applicable on 10-value playing cards.
European Blackjack Online Basic Strategy
To improve one’s chances in this game, a basic European Blackjack strategy should be in place. The good thing about this game is that the results are not just dependent on the Random Number Generator (RNG) and the player’s understanding of the rules goes a long way. If you are a beginner in this game, you cannot go wrong with the following basic European Blackjack strategy:
- Always stand if the hand’s value is at least 17.
- Choose ‘Hit’ with a value of 17 and the Dealer’s hand is at least 17.
- You can stand with a value of at least 12 and the Dealer’s hand is 6 or less.
Aside from these basic tips in online European Blackjack, there are also a few more tricks that you should follow when splitting and doubling down. In this game, doubling down and splitting is risky, given that the blackjack of the Dealer beats the Player’s 21. Also, the benefits of doubling down are lessened since it is only allowed in hands with values of 9 and 11 and there is no doubling down on 11 if the Dealer’s hand is 10. Finally, splitting is also challenging since this is not allowed for 4s, 5s, or 10-value playing cards that are not similar.
Conclusion
European Blackjack is a classic offering in most blackjack sites for several reasons. It is a fun and challenging game with a specific set of rules like S17, no hole card or peek on the cards, doubling down on 9s to 11s, and no surrender. In European Blackjack online, the Dealer will only receive an up card instead of the usual up card and extra card.
European Blackjack FAQs
- What is the objective when playing online European Blackjack?
In online European Blackjack, your task is to beat the Dealer’s hand by collecting a score close to 21 without going bust.
- What are the differences between American and European Blackjack online?
Although both games share general rules, the European variant is still different due to the absence of a hole card and the dealer does not peek into the cards.
- Can I Split my cards in European Blackjack?
Yes, but with some limitations. In this game, you can only do this once for 10-value cards of the same face.
- Can I double down in European Blackjack?
Yes, but you can only do this on hands with a value of nine to 11.
- Can I play European Blackjack online in a free demo?
Yes, there is an option to play online European Blackjack in a free demo. You can browse our website for a list of casinos where players are allowed to play using free credits.