European Blackjack is a common version of the game online and, as the name suggests, is especially popular in Europe. Of course, it is not limited to continental players and you can enjoy it from all over the world.
Wherever you are when you’re playing any version of Blackjack on the internet, the first thing you should do is try to familiarise yourself with its specific rules. This is as true of European Blackjack as any other game, and you can start finding out more with the write-up below.
Playing European Blackjack
This game is played with 2 decks, and face cards are worth 10 points, number cards are worth their face value and Aces are worth 11 or 1. This is just as in classic Blackjack, and your game objective is also the same: to get as close to a hand total of 21 without exceeding this amount and going bust.
When you play offline, there are usually 1 to 7 people in a game. Online, you can choose to play at your own table or with other gamblers. The first thing that happens is that all participants place their bets, and then everyone is dealt 2 cards.
The dealer is also given 2 cards, with 1 visible and facing up. Once players have had a chance to consider their cards and the dealer’s face-up card, the action begins. You can Hit and get dealt more cards as you try to improve your hand total, and can Stand when you are ready to end your turn. The Dealer has to Hit until a total of 16 or 17 is reached, and must stand on a Soft 17.
As in a few other games at iPhone casinos Canada, the specific rules of European Blackjack tend to vary between online casinos, and you should always check them carefully, but the basics are usually the same. These are that you can double on hard 9, 10 and 11 point hands only; that you can split up to 4 times; that Aces cannot be re-split; that the dealer doesn’t peek for Blackjack and that you are not allowed to surrender. You’re also not allowed to split unlike 10-point cards, such as. Q10 or a QJ. Blackjack pays out 3:2, and if you tie with the dealer there will be a push result where. You’ll get to your wager back.
Strategy and Tactics in European Blackjack
The rules of each game you play will affect its odds and outcomes, and the more time you spend on any game of 21 the more insight and appreciation you will have for it. The 2 most important things to consider in the European version are that the dealer has to stand on a Soft 17, and that there is no peeking for Blackjack.
A Soft Hand contains Aces, while a Hard Hand does not. This means that a Soft 17 can never go bust, since the Ace can flexibly count for 11 or 1, while a Hard 17 can. With this possibility removed from the dealer hand, the odds are swung in your favour. However, the fact that the dealer doesn’t peek for Blackjack increases the house edge by 0.01 to 0.1%. Peeking means the dealer checks for Blackjack before players start taking Hits, allowing you to avoid increasing your bet if you’re only going to lose it.
You’ll learn and develop your European Blackjack strategy as you keep playing, and online casino usually offers a no-deposit option to allow you to do just that. Try out any new ideas or techniques here first, and once you feel confident you can use them to play and win.