European Blackjack

European Blackjack is one online casino game widely loved by players because of its thrilling gameplay and rewarding bet options. Since the game is very popular, you will find it available in over 14,000 casinos online. 

However, for you to have an overall enjoyable experience while playing real money European blackjack online, you must play at a safe and legitimate casino.

Not all online casinos that offer this game are actually safe to play for real money. Playing through them all to arrive at the best option is not only risky but also tasking.

But don’t despair, we have done the job for you. Legitimate Casino has compiled a list of the best casinos to play this exciting version of blackjack safely online. 

Best Online Casinos To Play Real Money European Blackjack

What Is European Blackjack

European Blackjack is one of the most popular blackjack variations played at online casinos. This version of blackjack in structure and basics is quite similar to the standard Blackjack game and its American counterpart. The game is between a player and a dealer. 

The objective is to get a 21 or close to the number without going bust.

Like every other blackjack game, Online European blackjack also uses between 2 and 8 card decks, though you will find 6 common. Card values are also the same.

However, this version Blackjack comes with some rule changes, which makes it unique to American Blackjack. For instance, in European Blackjack, there is no hole card. Also, players can only double down when they have hands with a value of 9, 10, or 11.

Distinctions and Variants of European Blackjack

Let’s look at some of the rules distinctions that make this version of blackjack different from the standard blackjack game

The “No Hole” Card 

European blackjack gameplay does not support a hole card. The dealer is usually dealt one card face up and would only receive the second card after the player has completed his hands. A dealer can only look or take his hole card after every player at the table has completed their rounds. However, with this blackjack rule, a player can get to lose the full amount of his doubling and splitting if the dealer is lucky enough to get a blackjack.

Decks In-Play

European blackjack is usually played with six 52-card decks. However, you will find other variants played with 2, 4, or even eight decks. Gamblers specifically love the 2-deck variant because it allows them to count cards. It gives them an advantage and increases their chances of beating the dealer.

Splits and Double Downs

You can split with any cards with the same rank in European blackjack apart from 4s and 5s. Cards you can split include 10 values of Jack’s, Queens, and Kings. Unlike other cards, when dealt, you can split aces once, and you will only receive one hand after each split.Unlike American blackjack, where you can double down on any score, you can only double down on hands with a value of 9,10, or 11. You can also double down on any two-card hand. Another point to note is that doubling down is not possible on soft totals.

Early and Late Surrenders

Early surrender is when a player decides to give up on his hands after receiving the first two cards but before seeing if the dealer has a natural blackjack. Late surrender is giving up your hand after knowing that the dealer has a natural Blackjack. The two strategies come at the price of half of a player’s original bet. However, this option is not allowed in virtually all variations of European blackjack

Real Money European Blackjack Fundamentals

Before playing European blackjack for real money, there are some basic features and essential rules of the game you have to know. These fundamentals are important because the gameplay and winning combinations are based on them.

European Blackjack Rules

Although European blackjack shares similar gameplay with standard blackjack, it features some special and different rules. They are as follows:

• The game is played with 2 to 8 decks.
• The dealer can not check or peek for blackjack when he has a hand value of an Ace or 10.
• The player can not split 4s, 5s, or 10-value cards that are not the same.
• The player can split an ace but only once
• The player can only receive one additional card for each Ace split.
• The player can double down after splitting.
• The player can not resplit
• The dealer can win automatically if he has a blackjack over a player’s hand value of 21.
• The dealer stands on soft 17.
• The dealer must draw on a hand value of 16.
• The player can not usually surrender.

House Edge 

As a result of its unique rules, this version of blackjack features a house edge that is slightly better than American blackjack.

House edge varies, depending on the number of card decks being used. Variations using between 4 to 8 decks have around 0.42%.

The 2-card deck , because of its limited card decks, has a more favorable house edge between 0.5% – 1.5%.

Payouts

Real money European blackjack has different payouts for different winning hands. You get 3:2 for a natural blackjack win and a 1:1 for blackjack formed after a Split. 

Insurance bet would give you 2:1, and you will get 1:1 for every hand of 21 win. Other winning hands would give you 1:1

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How To Start Playing Online European Blackjack

1. Select your Casino

   Make your choice from our list of safe and trusted blackjack casinos to start playing.

2. Sign Up

   Proceed to register. You would be asked to input your preferred username, password, email, and other information.

3. Deposit

   Verify your mail and make a real money deposit through the cashier section at the site.

4. Select the game

   Pick the European blackjack game you are interested in playing and load it.

5. Make your bet

   Decide how much you want to wager, then click on the chip to continue.

6. Wait For The Outcome

   After selecting your chip, the casino will automatically load the cards and give you a random outcome. If you are lucky enough to get a blackjack and the dealer doesn’t, you will receive your 3:2 payout. But if the dealer has a blackjack, you will lose your total bet.

7. Decide Your Next Move

   If you don’t have a blackjack, you have to make your next move, which is whether to hit, stand, split, or double down. It is essential that you check our strategy section to know about when and how you make each move.

8. Wait and See the Outcome

   After making your next move, the next thing to do is to wait and see if you have won. If you do, the casino will give you a 1:1 payout.

European Blackjack Basic Strategy

European blackjack is a game that relies on luck and strategy to win. You are always one step ahead when you know the perfect basic strategy to use for the hands you are dealt. 

The main basic strategy newbies need to know in this game is when and whether they should hit, stand, double down, or split.

Knowing this as well as other concepts like soft and hard totals would help limit your risks when playing.

Hits, Stands, & Double Splits

When a player makes a hit, he is automatically asking for another card to try and improve the value of his hand. This strategy is used when you are dealt card values that doesn’t give you a natural blackjack. You are usually allowed to hit after splitting Aces.

When you choose to “stand,” however, it means you are okay with your current hand and do not want an additional card.  Doubling down means you are doubling your original bets, and you would be given another card. Once you get the card, you have to stand. 

Once you have two cards of the same value, you would be able to split. After splitting, you will have two hands and an extra or “Hit” hand. However, if you split an Ace card, you will only get an extra card and won’t be able to split again.

Early Surrenders

Early surrender is when you quit a game after being dealt your first two cards. You would only get half of your initial bet after using this strategy. You might not find this option readily available since most blackjack variants do not support it.

Soft Totals

A player is said to be on soft totals when he has a hand with an ace. This is because an ace can either be used as a 1 or an 11 card. It means that with the hand the player has, he won’t go bust if he decides to take another card. You can’t double down when you have soft totals. 

Hard Totals

This is just the opposite of Soft totals. Hard totals simply mean you don’t have an ace, and your hand’s value is rigid.

Useful Tips When Playing Online European Blackjack

A game like European Blackjack requires skill to beat the dealer. With a house edge like the one this game has, you need the right strategy to win real money. We have listed some essential tips to follow while playing this exciting version of blackjack Online.

1. Playing cautiously

   Unlike American blackjack, where you use an aggressive strategy, European blackjack requires conservative gameplay. Since you don’t know the value of a dealer’s hand until the end of the hand, it is advisable to apply caution when betting and playing.

2. Being careful when splitting and doubling

   Another way to limit your risks when playing European blackjack is to check your splitting and doubling attempts. Be very careful when you split or double your card, especially when you are facing an Ace or 10-value card from the dealer. .

3. Insurance bets

   Avoid making insurance bets. It is a strategy that will make you lose money in the long run. This is because the odds of the dealer making a blackjack are high, about 9 to 4.

   Besides, the insurance side bet has a higher house edge than an average game; this makes it a bad bet.

4. Memorizing strategy chart

   We created an odds table and chart that would help you know when to hit, stand, double down, or split your hand while playing. You will gain more from this chart if you memorize it and apply it during your gameplay.

European Blackjack Strategy Card

How To Read The European Blackjack Strategy Card

Using the basic strategy chart and odds table is simple and straightforward.

Your hand is located at the topmost left vertical edge, while the dealer’s upcard is along the top of the chart. The top to the bottom section contains hard totals, soft totals, and splittable hands. 

A stands for ace, S is stand, H is for Hit, D represents Double Down, and Sp stands for split.