European Blackjack Online – Where & How to Play
How to Play European Blackjack
Understand the Basics
The goal of European Blackjack is no different to other popular variants. The goal is to beat the dealer by having a hand closer to 21 than theirs without exceeding it (busting). In European Blackjack, number cards are worth their face value, face cards (J, Q, K) are worth 10 points and Ace is worth 1 or 11, depending on what is most beneficial.
Place your Bet
Choose your stake and place your bet. You’ll receive two cards once the bet is placed, and the dealer will receive only one card (no hole card yet). Some versions of European Blackjack may allow side bets. Learn about Blackjack side bets in our handy guide.
Make your Decision
Gauge the strength of your hand compared to the dealer’s hand so far. From here, you may make the following decisions:
- Hit – Take another card
- Stand – Keep your hand as-is
- Double Down – Double your bet and receive one more card
- Split – You may split if you have two identical cards
If you’re not sure on which decision to make, then check out our blackjack basic strategy page to perfect your game.
Strategy for European Blackjack
There are some strategy changes to keep in mind if you’re used to ‘regular’ blackjack and are trying European Blackjack for the first time.
Doubling Down Adjustments
European Blackjack restricts doubling to hard 9, 10 or 11, hands like an A-7 vs dealer 6 will become a stand instead of a double. The same adjustment would apply to other soft hands where doubling might be optimal in standard blackjack but not allowed in European Blackjack.
Handling The Lack of Dealer’s Hole Card
In standard Blackjack rules, the dealer will look for blackjack if their upcard is an Ace or 10. European Blackjack is riskier because decisions are made before the dealer draws a hole card. You could double or split only to find out that the dealer has a 21.
This usually means that European Blackjack is played less aggressively than standard Blackjack
No Surrender
The surrender option is usually not available in European Blackjack.
Other variants include early or late surrender, which will allow you to forfeit your hand and lose half your bet before and after the dealer checks for blackjack
This means you must play your hand out fully, even in situations where it may be better to surrender.
Some variants of European Blackjack may offer surrender options, especially in online casinos.
Because of the lack of surrender, you should:
- Hit 16 vs. 10
- Hit 15 vs. Ace
European Vs. American Blackjack
You might be wondering how European Blackjack compares to American Blackjack, a more popular and more widely used alternative.
European Blackjack
- Fewer Decks
- Easy to understand
- Dealer can’t peek for blackjack (no hole card)
- You can’t split more than once
American Blackjack
- Dealer Peeks for Blackjack
- More Player-friendly rules
- More decks in play, making card counting harder
- More variants, which may confuse new players
American Blackjack tends to be more popular because of its player-friendly rules, availability, strategic depth and player choice.
A big selling point of American Blackjack is how the dealer checks for Blackjack early. This prevents players from losing additional bets like splits and doubles. Splitting is also more flexible in American Blackjack and is restricted to hands like 9, 10 or 11 only in European Blackjack
For a more in-depth analysis of American Blackjack and how to play it, check out our Online American Blackjack page.
Free European Blackjack Demo
Play Free European Blackjack here to perfect your game, before you hit our top list of online blackjack sites for real.
Casinos that Offer European Blackjack
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European Blackjack FAQ
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What is European Blackjack?
European Blackjack is a variation of the classic game played primarily at European Casinos. It has mostly standard rules, but with some exceptions like the dealer not checking for blackjack until the end of all player decisions plus some restrictions on doubling and splitting cards. -
How many Decks are Used in European Blackjack?
Most versions of European Blackjack are played with two decks. -
Where Can I Play European Blackjack Online?
Many online casinos offer European Blackjack, whether you’re in Europe or not. Its particularly prevalent for UK and European Players though. Look at our reputable casinos with fair blackjack rules to find a European Blackjack casino -
Can I Play European Blackjack Online For Free?
Yes. Many casinos offer demo versions of European Blackjack. We’ve embedded a demo for you to try. Play this and practice before playing european blackjack for real money -
What is the House Edge in European Blackjack?
The house edge in European Blackjack is typically between 0.4% to 1%, depending on the rules of the game. The way you play can also affect house edge, and it can be lowered by mastering basic strategy. -
How Does the “No Hole Card” Affect European Blackjack?
This rule increases potential losses because decisions to split or double are made before the dealer reveals if they have blackjack. -
Can You Surrender in European Blackjack?
The surrender option isn’t typically offered in European Blackjack.
