European Blackjack is of the two most widely enjoyed forms of blackjack along with American Blackjack. Overall European Blackjack imposes more limitations on players’ decision making than the US version.
Below we outline European Blackjack rules differ from those of its American counterpart.
Rules specific to European Blackjack
- If the dealer gets blackjack it beats any other 21-value hand...
- …except if the player also has blackjack. Then the game is a push
- Dealer stands on a soft 17
- The dealer doesn’t check for blackjack mid-game
- Players can only double down on hands with a value of nine, 10 or 11
- Players can only split once
- Players can split same-character face cards only
European Blackjack vs American Blackjack: the differences
European Blackjack tends to differ from its Stateside sister in the following ways:
Difference 1 – No hole card in European Blackjack
In European Blackjack the dealer deals their first card face up, but doesn’t deal or consult their second card until after the player or players have played their hands.
In the American version, the dealer deals a ‘hole card’ at the same time as their first, face-up card, and this is initially left face down before being turned over once players’ hands have been played. The only exception to this is in the following situation.
Difference 2 – Dealer doesn’t peek in European Blackjack
The player is offered the chance to take the insurance side bet if the dealer’s up card is an ace in both European Blackjack and under American rules.
In the US form of the game, the dealer then peeks at their hole card, to see if they have blackjack.
If they do, the insurance bet is paid out and all other bets are lost, unless the player also has a natural blackjack, in which case their hand is a ‘push’ (a draw) and their stake is returned.
The dealer doesn’t peek in European Blackjack and instead allows the players’ hands to play out to conclusion before checking for blackjack.
Difference 3 – Doubling down is limited in European Blackjack
There are far fewer opportunities to double down in European Blackjack, which only allows players to double on hands with the value of nine, 10 or 11. In the US version there are no constraints in terms of the value of a hand you can double down upon.
Difference 4 – European Blackjack has fewer splitting options
Again European Blackjack is more strict. Players can split just once in the game, while they’re only allowed to split 10-value cards of the same face/value, eg two queens.
Players can split up to three times under American rules, apart from aces, which can only be split once. It’s also possible to split mixed 10-value cards, e.g 10-king.
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Other types of blackjack
European Blackjack is one of the most sought-after variations of the game. Learn more about more of the most popular types of blackjack here:
Find out more about the best places to play European Blackjack
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