European Blackjack

The game

This is the Blackjack version as it is played in European casinos. You can play up to three hands alone at the same table. European Blackjack has several features that are different from the other Blackjack versions:

  • The dealer receives only one card, dealt face-up, and is then offered the opportunity to take one or more additional cards after the players are dealt.
  • You can only double your bet if your reach 9, 10 or 11 points with your hand’s first two cards.
  • There is no Blackjack check.

The rules

Cards are worth their face value with the exception of Kings, Queens, and Jacks, which are each worth 10, and Aces, which are worth either 1 or 11. If the value of your hand is closer to 21 than that of the dealer you win. If the value of the dealer's hand is higher than yours you lose. If the hands are of equal value the hand results in a push and your bet is returned. If you have a total of 22 or higher (a busted hand), you lose regardless of whether the dealer also busts.
The Blackjack game uses six decks of cards, which are shuffled after each round.

There are three additional options:

Split

If your first two cards are of the same value, you may split them into two separate hands, by placing a second wager of equal value. You may then proceed to draw cards as usual.

However, if two aces are split, you will only get one additional card for each hand. If two aces are split and one of your hands totals 21, the hand is not considered as Blackjack, but as 21.

Double down

If the sum of the two initial cards is 9-11, you may "double down". The wager is doubled, and only one card is received. You may double according to the same rules after a split.

Insurance

Insurance is a game of its own within Blackjack, which gives you a chance to protect yourself from dealer Blackjack. If the dealer’s first card is an ace, insurance against dealer Blackjack can be bought for half the price of the initial bet. If the dealer does have Blackjack, the insurance pays 2 to 1. If insurance is bought and the dealer does not have Blackjack, the insurance bet is lost.

Rules for the dealer

The dealer must draw cards until he has at least 17, and must stand on 17 or higher. If the dealer gets 16, he must take another card. The dealer may not decide whether or not to draw a card based on your hand, but must abide by existing dealer rules. The dealer checks for blackjack on an open ace or ten value card.

Guidelines

In European Blackjack, as in all other Blackjack versions, applying the basic strategy is one of the most important conditions to win in the long term. In European Black Jack, the usual rules for "soft doubling" and doubling at 8 points with the first two cards do not apply. "Soft doubling" means that the player doubles his bet when he has a soft hand but he is only dealt one card as in the regular double down.

Betting limits

The table betting limits are 1 - 100 euros, 5 - 500 euros, or 25 - 1,000 euros