THE MOST IMPORTANT EUROPEAN BLACKJACK RULES

European Blackjack is one of the most commonly played blackjack variants, along with American blackjack.

However, the rules of European blackjack impose more limitations on players compared to its American counterpart, which in turn, has a direct impact on basic strategy.

But as a casino game, European blackjack, one of the main rules, is that if a dealer gets blackjack, then it will beat any other hand worth 21 that is played.

If a player has a hand that is lower than 21, they are presented with a few options. They can choose to hit and take an additional card in the hope it will lift the total of their initial hand.

Players lose if they exceed 21, so they can choose to stand and keep what they have. Alternatively, players can surrender if he or she is unhappy with the two cards they have received, and they will retrieve half of their original wager.

The dealer, for example, can stand on a 17, but must draw on 16, while players can only double down on hands with a value worth 9, 10, or 11.

Oh, and players can split the same character face cards only. We are going to delve a bit more into the psyche of European Blackjack games, and run through some key features, including house edge.

WHAT IS THE AIM OF PLAYING EUROPEAN BLACKJACK

The core aim of European blackjack is to surpass the total of the dealer’s hand. Sometimes, you will have to grind it out and stick around in a card game, and hope the dealer busts.

But when you have nailed down your blackjack strategy, you will be better placed to take advantage when opportunities are thrown up in a game, such as when a dealer stands.

So, to maximise your bet, splitting aces and doubling down will help narrow the casino advantage and give you the upper hand when playing at live casinos.

You just have to choose a suitable table to play at, and get involved in the high octane action. With the online version of European Blackjack, the game is run by computer software, and not a live dealer. It will be controlled by a Random Number Generator (RNG).

Alternatively, you can find a free game to try things out and get a feel for how things work first before you take things up a notch and play in a cash game.

EUROPEAN BLACKJACK ACTION TYPES

This classic blackjack game, compared to other variants, has a few action types which you will need to get your head around, and we have fleshed out a bit more detail on them below.

Stand – You can’t take any more cards and your total will be locked in by the dealer.

Hit – You choose to take another card to improve your chances of landing a blackjack hand.

Double – You can double your bet for one card, but it will only be available after you have played your first two cards.

Split – A popular blackjack strategy, you can pay double to split a pair into two new hands. You can let the dealer know when you want to play each one independently.

Insurance bet – A type of side bet, the insurance bet, which will cost half of your main bet, you will be staking that the dealer has achieved a natural blackjack.

Surrender – The player will reclaim half of their initial wager after quitting the game.

Now, you have seen the main blackjack action types, let’s scratch beneath the surface and run through the house edge for the game.

WHAT IS HOUSE EDGE IN EUROPEAN BLACKJACK?

Typically, the house edge for European Blackjack varies between 0.4% and 0.7%, and the typical payout is usually even money.

We have provided a table of how European Blackjack compares to other blackjack variants in terms of player payouts and RTP.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF EUROPEAN BLACKJACK

Like with other variants of blackjack, European Blackjack is a great game to play, but it has its advantages and drawbacks, which we have discussed below.

ADVANTAGES

• Basic rules – Although European blackjack strategy can get more complicated the more advanced a player you are, the core rules are simple to understand compared to other classic table games. You just have to know when to hit and when to stand.
• High RTP – Players can expect decent wins when they play this classic game, which is at the 99.6% mark.

DISADVANTAGES

• No hole card – This means that players can’t make additional moves on their hand, and a player loses the money they have wagered if the dealer has obtained blackjack.
• Can’t double down as much – Unlike the American rules, the European version doesn’t let players double down as much. You can only double on starting hands worth 9, 10, or 11, which makes some games more restrictive for players.

SIDE BETS ON EUROPEAN BLACKJACK

If you are tempted to make a side bet during a game, this version offers it, and it can help enhance your overall European Blackjack strategy. We have highlighted some of the main ones below.

Insurance bet – This is the most common type of side bet. It gives you room to leverage as the dealer’s blackjack will be the scourge of any game for a player. It pays out at odds of 2/1 if the dealer lands a blackjack.

Perfect pairs – Here, the side bet will use the player’s hand only, and it pays out if you have a perfect pair. A perfect pair will be two of the same card which carries odds of 25/1. Alternatively, you could land a colored pair, which is two cards of the same value and colour with odds of 12/1.

Meanwhile, the mixed pair will be two cards of the same value, but of different suits and colour.

21+3 – This side bet in games will involve two player cards and one card upturned from the dealer. It will pay out for several different combinations, such as a flush, straight, or three of a kind.

BEST TIPS FOR EUROPEAN BLACKJACK

If you want to master blackjack rules, we have provided a few pointers which will help you improve in the long term.

Practice for free – There are usually some special rules in place, but to get a feel for how the game is played, have a go in demo mode so you can feel comfortable and find out how other bets can be formed before playing for real money.

Do the maths – When it comes to playing aces or two Queens, make sure you do your calculations properly and assess what is going on around the table especially if you wish to win.

Bet smart – Blackjack usually pays out at even money, but rather than rely on some crazy strategies or betting systems, make sure you are comfortable with the rules. Bet smaller when you are losing and wager more when you are winning, but don’t go over the top.

Manage your bankroll properly – Whatever version of blackjack you are playing, whether it is the European or American version, you need to be aware of the total bet you are making per game, and don’t wager beyond your means.

You should always gamble responsibly, and if you are concerned, you should tell the dealer that you wish to sit out a game to avoid further losses.

THE MOST POPULAR GAMES FOR EUROPEAN BLACKJACK

Here are some of the most popular online games that you will find at most casinos:

• Multi Hand Blackjack Gold (Microgaming)
• European Blackjack Redeal Gold (Microgaming)
• Multi Hand Perfect Pairs (Microgaming)
• Hi’Lo 13 Blackjack Gold (Microgaming)

EUROPEAN BLACKJACK VS. AMERICAN BLACKJACK

Let’s see how the American version of blackjack compares to the one we have discussed on this page. We have also assessed some of the rule differences.

SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

Similarities

• High RTP – Both have high RTPs, but American blackjack has a slightly lower RTP (99.5%) compared to its European counterpart (99.6%).
• Usually two decks are used – Most of the time, both will use two decks, whereby the jokers are removed.

Differences

• Hole cards used in American blackjack – Unlike in the European version, the dealer will deal a hole card at the same time as the card face up, and this is one of the subtle differences between the two games.
• No peeking – A player can be offered the chance to make an insurance wager if the upcard of the dealer is an ace in the European version and American rules. That said, the dealer won’t allow players to peek, whereas in American Blackjack, players can peek at the hole card of the dealer to see if the dealer has blackjack.
• Doubling down limited in the European version – There are fewer opportunities to double down in the European format, and players are only allowed to double down on their second card where the value of the card is 9, 10, or 11.

EUROPEAN BLACKJACK IN ONLINE CASINOS

The European version has evolved in online casinos, and titles will be regulated by the United Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority (UKGC and MGA) for regular auditing of titles to ensure that they are fair for all players.

EUROPEAN BLACKJACK LIVE

Live blackjack is always a crowd-pleaser, especially as they are highly immersive and complete with amazing graphics. Oh, and the dealer replicates the atmosphere of being in a land-based casino, so there is plenty of fun to be had. Of course, each experience will vary depending on which title you play.

EUROPEAN BLACKJACK ON MOBILE

Online sites have always worked tirelessly to ensure that the titles they offer are well optimized for mobile, so they can engage with their target audience, and make it more convenient for players. Don’t expect different rules whether you play online or via mobile.

CONCLUSION

The European version is highly exciting and if you can make tweaks to your game, especially after you have been dealt your second card, then you can approach blackjack with more confidence when you visit a casino.

There is a lower house edge for Blackjack, but as with other versions, the aces will hold the keys to success. We hope you have enjoyed reading this guide, and we encourage you to put your skills to the test.