European Blackjack in Online Casinos

Top Casinos Offering European Blackjack in 2024

Everything You Need to Know About European Blackjack

European Blackjack isn’t much different from regular Blackjack. It uses the same rules and has some fantastic additional rules that keep it a step ahead of the rest. With all the recognition the game commands and a unique advantage for players- it’s easy to doubt the legitimacy of gambling centers that offer it. It’s 100% legit. Besides playing the game for real money, you can play European Blackjack online for free.

Please note that every gambling establishment has its own rules and regulations concerning various aspects of the game, such as payout and rewards. You should, therefore, do some research before committing to a particular casino.

What Exactly Is European Blackjack?

Many gamblers often ask what is European Blackjack. It’s easy to believe that it’s the standard Blackjack. Well, not exactly. The version allows you to make your betting session profitable and thrilling by letting you double down if the hand totals 9 to 11. You may also be eligible for doubling your gambles after getting the next card.

It’s worth noting that you can split if your cards are of similar value to King-Jack and Seven-Seven. Splitting enables you to make two hands and place an extra wager. There are some exceptions, though. An example is the aces can be split twice for three hands. Apart from the game being incredibly easy, there are tons of other benefits it offers gamblers. Some of them are:

• You can play it whenever you want and for however long.
• It’s got rules that work to your advantage.
• It’s straightforward.
• Some choices use fewer decks of cards, a plus for players who use blackjack card counting.
• It has an impressively low house edge of between 0.5% to 1.5%.
• It’s affordable, as most online gambling establishments have a min $1 deposit limit. Live casinos have a min $5 deposit limit.

European Blackjack Vs. Classic Blackjack: What’s the Difference?

European Blackjack may resemble Classic or American Blackjack on the surface, but you’ll realize that the two are as different as day and night upon closer look. In the American version, for example, there’s a hole card. Croupiers get 2 cards and ‘peek’ for Blackjack before the gamblers can make a move.

On the other hand, European Blackjack prohibits a dealer from ‘peeking.’ The variety doesn’t have a hole card, and in it, the Dealer is dealt one card face up and only gets the second card after the gambler’s hands are complete.

In the European alternative, no kind of surrender is allowed, while Classic Blackjack allows late surrender. This feature enables players to save half their initial stake before the game is over. Classic Blackjack allows a double down on any hand. Additionally, gamblers can double down after splitting as well. European Blackjack, however, permits double down on 9, 10, or 11 total hand amounts.

When it comes to payout matters, European Blackjack offers a 3:2 payout only. American Blackjack provides players with 3:2 or 6:5 payouts. European Blackjack generally uses 2 card decks while its American rival uses 6 to 8 card decks. The more the card decks, the lower a player’s chances of finding a card that they prefer.

Playing European Blackjack: Rules, Strategies, and Tips

Not only is European Blackjack enjoyable, but it’s one of the most famous blackjack variants- played by over a million people worldwide. The trick to success in the game is to plan each move wisely and learn the rules, so you know your way around the table.

For some people, learning something new is fun and exciting. For others, it can be frustrating. If you fall into the latter category, don’t worry. We’ve got all you need to know to play the European version of 21 like a pro in no time.

European Blackjack Rules

European Blackjack is an enjoyable game with fascinating rules. For instance, the game is pushed if both the Dealer and player have blackjack hands. Also, gamblers may split only once per hand but can’t re-split.

A player can take out an insurance bet if they want to do so. It may seem like a convenient way out, but it’s always great to weigh your options first. The best time to take an insurance bet is if you suspect the other hand of the Dealer will have a value of 10 and turn their hand into a blackjack.

The croupier’s Blackjack is an automatic winner over a gambler’s hand with a value of 21. Next, players can double down on 9, 10, or 11 only. Players can’t usually surrender if the Dealer’s face card is an Ace. This rule depends on the casino, though, as some betting centers permit surrender if the croupier’s face card is a 10-value card- not an Ace.

There are specific European blackjack rules for the croupier. One of them is they must stand on all 17- hard and soft 17. They’ll only be dealt a single card, which is seen throughout the game. If that card is an ace, the croupier provides the gambler with insurance. The insurance bet only comes into play at the end of the hand since the Dealer isn’t allowed to draw its second hand until the gambler finishes making their move.

Should the player go bust, the croupier doesn’t need to draw any more cards unless the player took insurance. In that scenario, the Dealer will pull out another card to check if they hit a natural blackjack. If they did, the gambler receives an insurance bet payment. On a winning hand, you will win even money or, in other terms, you get the same amount of cash that you wagered.

European Blackjack Betting and Payouts

One of the exciting parts of a European Blackjack game is betting without knowing the outcome- especially when you’re playing for real money. Some gamblers consider the real money European Blackjack alternative to be risky. It may be, but viewing things from the broader perspective helps change your mentality: There’s no telling if you’ll lose your money. Who knows? You could rake in some cash upon the first try!

And when you do, you want your payment to be instant. Legitimate gambling establishments let you know how much you’ll earn through the payout. They also provide a variety of reliable payment options for stress-free cash withdrawal.

In most gambling games, the payout is structured to favor the casino. The good news is European Blackjack allows you to earn more with its generous payouts. The rules of the game and the type of bet you win determine your payout. For Blackjack or natural win, you receive a 3:2 payout. Other wins give a 1:1 payout while insurance bets provide a 2:1.

Please note that some European Blackjack casinos provide a 6:5 payout as well. This kind of pay puts the gambling establishment a step ahead of you in terms of payment. The amount you get for every figure you wager is disappointingly small, which means a devastating reduction in your overall earnings. Though such casinos are rare, it pays to be on the lookout when playing European Blackjack. Check the payout amount of a specific table before joining it.

If you can’t locate the payout on the game, visit the online casino’s website and scan the homepage. You can find such details in the Terms and Conditions. You can alternatively consult customer services to find out the amount their online gambling establishment provides. Also, find out all you can about a particular casino before committing to it. This saves you from unpleasant surprises later on.

European Blackjack Strategies

Any experienced gambler knows how crucial strategies are in any gambling game, including European Blackjack. Since the European version of Blackjack is straightforward and uses significantly few card decks, any player can determine which cards have already been dealt. This technique may take time to perfect, but it depends on your dedication to the game.

Strategies don’t help you maintain a perfect winning streak. They also aren’t a surefire guarantee of luck always being by your side. They basically raise your chances of winning. They are specially designed by combining mathematical calculations with specific moves that players make to win.

Point to note: Using techniques won’t beat the house edge. The House will always have an advantage over gamblers. That’s how betting centers ensure that they don’t go bankrupt. Experts suggest that you don’t try to cram any European blackjack strategy. This often ends up in disaster, most especially for rookie players.

Here are some of the most widely recognized and used European Blackjack strategies:

• Split 2s, 3s, 8s, and Aces if the Dealer’s face-up card is a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
• Split 8s and Aces if the croupier’s face-up card is a face card, an Ace, or an 8, 9, or 10.
• Avoid insurance.
• Hit when you have a lower hand and soft 17 if the Dealer’s face-up card is 3, 4, 5, or 6 while you have an Ace in your hand.
• Hit when you have 11-value and lower hand and stand when you have a 12-value and higher hand if the Dealer’s face-up card is a 3, 4, 5, or 6.
• Hit when you have a soft 17 and lower or 16-value hand and lower if the croupier’s face-up card is an Ace, a face card, or a 7, 8, 9, and 10.

European Blackjack Tips

European Blackjack may be an easy game, but it can be tricky too. Like every other gambling game, it has its upsides and downsides, both of which you must learn if you wish to succeed.

If you’re new to the European version of Blackjack or haven’t played it for long, here are some pointers you can use to always remain on the right side of the game:

• Don’t Use the Martingale System. The Martingale betting system may work for other games, but not European Blackjack. This system demands that you double the size of your bet every time you lose. Though there’s a chance that you may stay afloat with it, in the event of a losing streak, you lose all that you made before.
• Keep Off Insurance. Insurance seems like the right move to make when you’re caught up in a tight spot, right? Wrong. Insurance is a move created by betting centers to raise the House edge and cause you to lose more money.
• Don’t Be Mad at the Dealer. Whether you’re on a losing streak or you don’t seem to get the game, it’s not the croupier’s fault. If you get on their good side, they may help you get to the top by throwing you some hints. They want you to win anyway.
• Avoid Going All In. Since Blackjack is a game of chance, it’s always great to have some cash in your bankroll just in case your first or second trial flops. Besides, you wouldn’t want to get dealt two aces, not having enough cash to split, then hitting for two face cards and busting.
• Gut Instinct May Not Always Work. If you’re one of those players who always trust their gut, please note that free European Blackjack is all about skill. No luck. You have to pre-plan your move and know what you’re betting.

European Blackjack FAQ