American Blackjack Online – How It’s Played & Where to Play It
How to Play American Blackjack
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of everything you’ll need to know to get started playing American Blackjack.
Understand the Basics
The goal of American Blackjack remains the same as other popular variants: beat the dealer by getting a hand closer to 21 without going over (busting). Cards are worth their face value, and face cards (J, Q, K) are worth 10 points. The Ace card is worth 1 or 11, depending on what would be most beneficial to your hand.
Place your Bet
Choose your stake and place your bet. Once the bet is placed, both you and the dealer receive two cards. The dealer will have one upcard and a face-down card (the hole card). This is a key difference between American Blackjack and European Blackjack. If you want, you can also place a side bet. Read our guide to side bets if you’re unsure of how they work.
Make your Decision
Evaluate the strength of your hand compared to the dealer’s upcard. Based on your position, you can choose from the following actions.
- Hit – Take another card
- Stand – Keep your current hand
- Double Down – Double your bet and receive one more card
- Split – You may split if you have two identical cards
- Surrender – Foreit half your bet if you don’t like your starting hand
If you’re not sure which decision to make, then check out our blackjack basic strategy page to perfect your game.
Strategy for American Blackjack
The strategy for American Blackjack is not dissimilar from other Blackjack variations, but there are some things to keep in mind if you’re used to European Blackjack, where there are some key differences.
Doubling Down
American Blackjack allows doubling down on any two cards, unlike in European Blackjack, where it’s permitted only on hard 9, 10 or 11. This means that hands like A-7 vs Dealer 6 can be doubled instead of standing. This makes play in American Blackjack more aggressive as soft hands can be leveraged more effectively.
The Dealer’s Hole Card
In American Blackjack, the dealer gets a face-down hole card before the players make any decisions.
If the dealer has an Ace or a 10 10-value card, then they will peek for blackjack before any further actions take place.
This is a key reason why American Blackjack is so popular, as it eliminates the risk of doubling or splitting your hand before the dealer reveals Blackjack. In American Blackjack, players can split and double more confidently.
Surrender Options
American Blackjack allows for the option to Surrender, a rule not commonly found in European versions. The most typical form is late surrender, where you can forfeit your hand and lose only half your bet, but only after the dealer has checked for blackjack.
This option can be useful in tough spots, like when you’re holding a hard 16 against a dealer’s 10. Rather than playing out a weak hand, surrendering helps minimise your losses.
That said, surrender isn’t allowed if the dealer has a natural 21. In addition, not all tables you’ll find at online casinos will offer surrender, so it’s worth checking out the rules before you start playing.
Benefits and Drawbacks of American Blackjack
Those familiar with European Blackjack will likely find the American version straightforward and less restrictive. American Blackjack certainly has its perks that lead many players to prefer it, but as with any casino game, it has potential drawbacks worth evaluating before deciding which version to play.
Advantages
- Dealer checks for blackjack early, reducing risk on splits and doubles
- More flexible splitting rules
- The surrender option is available
- More variants and rule options for strategic play
- Generally more player-friendly
Disadvantages
- More decks in play, making card counting harder
- Variants and rule differences can be confusing for beginners
- Not always as straightforward as European Blackjack
American Blackjack is popular for its flexible rules and strategic variety. One key advantage is that the dealer checks for blackjack right away, helping players avoid extra losses on doubles and splits. It also allows more freedom when splitting hands compared to the tighter restrictions in European Blackjack.
For a closer look at how it compares, visit our Online European Blackjack page.
Free American Blackjack Demo
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Casinos that Offer American Blackjack
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American Blackjack FAQ
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How is American Blackjack played?
American Blackjack follows standard blackjack rules but includes player-friendly features like the dealer checking for blackjack before you play your hand as well as more flexible options for doubling and splitting. These small changes can have a big impact on strategy and overall gameplay. -
How many decks are used in American Blackjack?
American Blackjack is usually played with six to eight decks, depending on the casino or specific game variant. -
Where Can I Play American Blackjack Online?
Whilst European Blackjack rules the roost among UK online casinos, some will still offer an American variant, especially those with a focus on live casino experiences. Check out our list of casinos to discover which ones offer American Blackjack. -
Can I Try American Blackjack for Free?
Yes. Many sites offer demo versions of American Blackjack, so you can practise before playing with real money. It’s a great way to get familiar with the rules and test out strategies risk-free. -
What are the main differences between American Blackjack and European Blackjack?
The key differences are that American Blackjack uses more decks, allows the dealer to check for blackjack early, and offers more flexible rules for splitting, doubling, and surrendering, making it generally more player-friendly than European Blackjack. -
Why Does the Dealer Checking for Blackjack Matter?
In American Blackjack, the dealer checks for blackjack right away if showing an Ace or 10. This protects you from losing extra bets on splits or doubles when the dealer has a natural 21. -
What’s the House Edge in American Blackjack?
The house edge in American Blackjack can be as low as 0.5%, depending on the specific rules and how well you stick to basic strategy. Variations in deck count, doubling rules, and surrender options can all affect the edge.
