| Updated: Although it is one of the most challenging casino games, blackjack is equally appealing to regular casino visitors and first-timers, which is why casino operators rarely exclude it from their game catalogs. Its low house advantage is another reason the game appeals to players of all experience levels, whether they prefer land-based casinos or their virtual counterparts.
The history of this game spans centuries, and it is safe to say that the card game’s popularity has never waned. Because the game attracted considerable attention as soon as it appeared, numerous variations have emerged over the years, with European blackjack being among the most attention-grabbing options.
These days, software providers go to great lengths to create variants of the card game that capture players’ attention with fluid animations and lifelike graphics. This is certainly true of the titles developed by studios such as Play’n GO, Microgaming, RealTime Gaming, and Betsoft, all of which are worth considering.
If you are fascinated by blackjack but are still a complete beginner, you should learn as much as possible about your chosen variant before placing real-money bets. Keep reading to learn more.
Rules to Remember while Playing European Blackjack
Blackjack variants that adhere to European rules are ideal for players who lack extensive casino experience, making it much easier for them to master the fundamentals. That being said, gambling enthusiasts should keep in mind that certain differences may exist depending on the casino they choose to play at or the game-making studio behind the specific variant.
The Hole Card
Number of Decks Doubling Down in European Blackjack Splitting Options in European Blackjack The Surrender OptionThe Hole Card
The most fundamental difference between American-style blackjack variants and those based on European rules is the use of a hole card. In American-style blackjack, the dealer receives two cards, one face up and one face down. The face-down card is known as the hole card. When the dealer shows an Ace, the hole card is checked privately to determine whether the dealer has blackjack.
If the dealer has blackjack, the hand ends immediately and all wagers are collected.
This is not the case in European-style blackjack, where no hole card is used. Instead, the dealer receives one face-up card initially and does not take a second card until the players’ hands are complete. This delayed draw means that players who split or double down may have additional wagers at risk if the dealer ultimately has blackjack. This is one reason some players prefer American-style blackjack.
Number of Decks
The number of decks in play is another factor to consider when comparing American-style and European-style blackjack games. When searching for blackjack variants that follow American rules, players will typically find games that use between six and eight standard decks. European blackjack variants, by comparison, commonly use only two standard decks.
Using more decks favors the casino and makes it more difficult for players to benefit from card-counting strategies.
Doubling Down in European Blackjack
Another essential rule to consider before playing blackjack is doubling down. While some casinos allow players to double down on almost any hand, others permit this option only on specific hand totals. In most cases, players may double down when their hand totals nine, ten, or eleven. Some games restrict the move further, allowing it only on totals of ten or eleven.
If the double-down option is unavailable in a multiple-deck game, the casino advantage will be 1.48%.
The house edge increases by 0.09% when the chosen variant allows doubling down only on totals of nine, ten, or eleven. Limiting it to totals of ten or eleven increases the edge by a further 0.18%.
Before choosing a blackjack variant, players should check whether doubling down after a split is allowed, as this rule can improve their chances of forming a stronger hand. For example, if a player splits a pair of 4s against a dealer’s 6 and then draws a 5, 6, or 7, doubling down may be advantageous if the rules permit it.
If doubling down after a split is not allowed, the house edge increases by around 0.14%. The precise impact may vary slightly when multiple re-splits are permitted because the number of potential split hands affects how often this option can be used.
Splitting Options in European Blackjack
The rules governing pair splitting are among the first things players should review before playing European-style blackjack. In these variants, players may split only once, and several restrictions may apply. Such limitations exist because splitting can allow players to capitalize on the dealer’s weaker hands and potentially win more.
When playing European-style blackjack, players may split only eligible pairs. For ten-valued cards, this means matching pairs of 10s, Jacks, Queens, or Kings. Although a King and a Jack are both worth 10, a hand containing one of each cannot be split.
In contrast, the rules of American-style blackjack may allow players to split up to three times, giving them as many as four hands to play simultaneously. American-style games may also allow a wider range of pairs to be split. Aces can generally be split only once, and players receive only one additional card per split Ace.
The Surrender Option
Another factor to consider is whether the selected blackjack variant allows players to surrender their hand after the initial deal. This option lets players forfeit an unfavorable hand and recover half of their stake.
The surrender rule has a significant effect on the house edge, especially in European blackjack, which is a no-peek game. Although most European-style variants do not offer surrender, its availability can reduce the house edge by around 0.39%.
In American-style blackjack, players are generally allowed to surrender at the appropriate point in the hand.
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Payouts and House Edge
Payouts in European Blackjack European Blackjack House EdgePayouts in European Blackjack
Payouts are among the first things players should review before joining a blackjack table. Payoff rates seldom vary, and a natural blackjack usually pays 3 to 2. This applies whether players are wagering at a land-based casino or playing online.
When an insurance bet is available, it pays 2 to 1. All other wins pay even money, or 1 to 1. In the event of a tie, the player neither wins nor loses, and the original stake is returned.
European Blackjack House Edge
One factor players should pay close attention to is that the number of decks in play affects the house edge. The more decks added to the shoe, the greater the casino’s advantage and the lower the return to player. This remains true whether the game follows American-style or European-style blackjack rules.
To illustrate how the edge grows, consider a game that uses just one standard deck. In this case, the house advantage is around 0.27%.
When two or four decks are used, the edge rises to 0.57% and 0.70%, respectively. With five or six decks, the house edge increases to 0.73% and 0.75%. If eight decks are in play, the house advantage reaches 0.77%. As the deck count approaches eight, each additional deck has a less pronounced effect on the house edge.
Remember that the house edge is determined not only by the number of decks but also by the other rules governing the game.
Before choosing a variant, players should check whether the dealer must hit or stand on soft 17. Most tables require the dealer to stand on soft 17, but some require the dealer to hit, which is more favorable to the house.
Players should also check whether surrender, doubling after a split, re-splitting, and hitting split Aces are permitted, as well as the maximum number of allowed re-splits.
Whether the dealer hits soft 17 is particularly important because it significantly affects the house edge. A soft 17 is a 17-point hand containing an Ace counted as 11. Examples include an Ace with three 2s or an Ace with a 6.
Games in which the dealer stands on soft 17 are more favorable to players. When the dealer is required to hit on soft 17, the rule improves the dealer’s overall outcomes and increases the house advantage.
When the dealer stands on soft 17, the house edge falls to around 0.55%, a difference of approximately 0.20%.
Favorable Rules In European Blackjack
How Do The Rules In European Blackjack Affect Players Special Rules to Pay Attention to while Playing European BlackjackHow Do The Rules In European Blackjack Affect Players
Players naturally want to get the most from their blackjack betting sessions, so they should look for variants with favorable rules.
Ideally, players should seek out single-deck variants in which a natural pays 3 to 2. Splitting and doubling-down rules also have a major effect, so players should check whether the chosen game allows them to double on almost any hand total, including after a split.
Being able to play up to four hands after re-splitting, re-split Aces, and hit split Aces is also advantageous. When players follow at least a basic strategy, these rules can reduce the house edge further and improve their expected returns.
Conversely, expected returns decrease when the dealer must hit soft 17 and eight decks are used. The house edge rises further when doubling is limited to hand totals of 10 or 11. The same applies when re-splitting, including re-splitting Aces, is not permitted.
All these restrictions increase the casino’s advantage and reduce players’ expected returns. Variants in which a natural pays 6 to 5 instead of the standard 3 to 2 are especially unfavorable.
Special Rules to Pay Attention to while Playing European Blackjack
Although it is not widely used, the Five-Card Charlie is a rule many players may have encountered. When this rule applies, a player who draws five cards without going bust becomes an instant winner.
The Original Bets and Busted Only (OBBO) rule is also worth reviewing because it determines which wagers are lost when the dealer later completes blackjack. Under this rule, players lose their original bets. Players should check how the rule applies to additional wagers created by splitting or doubling down.
Another rule to remember is that, in most cases, receiving a ten-valued card after splitting Aces does not count as blackjack. Instead, the hand is treated as a regular 21 and pays even money rather than the usual 3 to 2.
Other rules to review include whether tied 17s are lost and whether splitting and doubling down are permitted. In some games, players may also lose tied 18s and 19s, but this varies between variants.
Most Popular European Blackjack Variants to Play Online
Today, gambling enthusiasts are spoiled for choice, regardless of whether they prefer American or European-style versions of the card classic.
Game developers continue to expand the lineup, introducing attention-grabbing variants of this casino staple. Below are some of the fan-favorite blackjack variants players will encounter online, all sourced from the portfolios of leading software providers.
European Blackjack by Microgaming European Blackjack by Play’n GO European Blackjack by BetsoftEuropean Blackjack by Microgaming
Microgaming has played a major role in expanding the variety of online blackjack games. The company offers several variants of the card game, including multiple titles that follow European rules.
Microgaming’s European Blackjack may appeal to players who enjoy a straightforward version of the game. It supports one hand at a time and offers a choice of chip denominations. Payouts follow the traditional structure: blackjack pays 3 to 2, while insurance pays 2 to 1.
In this title, the dealer must stand on all 17s, and two standard decks are used. Surrender is not available, and doubling down after a split is prohibited. Players may double down only on their first hard hand when it totals 9, 10, or 11. The variant has an RTP of 99.60%.
European Blackjack by Play’n GO
Play’n GO also offers a European-style blackjack variant. The game runs smoothly on tablets, smartphones, and desktop computers, while its polished visuals enhance the overall presentation. Voice announcements further add to the atmosphere of a brick-and-mortar casino.
Suitable for players of different experience levels, the game allows up to three hands to be played simultaneously. Payouts follow the standard model: an insurance bet pays 2 to 1, while a natural blackjack pays 3 to 2. The game’s RTP is 99.37%.
European Blackjack by Betsoft
Betsoft’s European Blackjack is an option to consider if you prefer to bet on multiple hands simultaneously. The game features crisp graphics and smooth animations, while its range of chip denominations accommodates both cautious and high-stakes players.
This variant uses six decks, and that deck count, combined with its rules, affects the RTP. The dealer must draw to 16 and stand on all 17s. Blackjack pays 3 to 2, while insurance pays 2 to 1.
Under the game’s rules, players may split only their initial hand, giving them a maximum of two hands. When Aces are split, only one additional card is dealt to each hand. Doubling down is allowed on hands totaling 9 through 11.
Hi Lo European Blackjack Gold by Microgaming
Hi-Lo European Blackjack is another Microgaming title that brings the atmosphere of brick-and-mortar casinos to desktop computers and mobile devices. This two-deck variant has an RTP of 99.60%.
Some players may be disappointed that only one hand can be played at a time. Payouts follow the traditional structure: insurance pays 2 to 1, while blackjack pays 3 to 2. The dealer must stand on all 17s.
In this game, surrender and re-splitting are unavailable. Although players may hit split Aces, doubling down after a split is not permitted.
European Blackjack Gold Redeal By Microgaming
Microgaming’s European Blackjack Redeal stands out for its authentic atmosphere and eye-catching visuals. It uses two standard decks and offers an RTP of 99.60%.
Insurance is not available when the dealer shows an Ace, and doubling down after a split is not permitted. Doubling is possible only on hard totals of 9, 10, or 11. Ten-valued cards cannot be split, and the split option may be used only once, limiting play to two hands.
The game’s signature feature is the Redeal option, which allows players to redeal either their own hand or the dealer’s hand at no additional cost. This feature can be used a maximum of five times per game and is unavailable after a split. An Ace and a Ten dealt after a Redeal count as 21 rather than blackjack.