Blackjack European Rules
On This Page
Introduction
European Blackjack Online With a couple of key differences from “standard” variations of the game, European Blackjack is a truer reflection of how it’s played in land-based venues in Europe.
- Blackjack is one of the most popular casino card games. It is played around the globe in live casinos, as well as online. If you are interested in getting in to blackjack put don’t know the rules you will find that it’s easy to learn how to play blackjack. Following are the basic rules of this popular card game.
- The following basic strategy table is appropriate for European blackjack, at least the variation I saw played in Berlin and Hamburg, and specifically excepting the United Kingdom. The specific rules are as follows: Six decks (this chart is also accurate for 4 or 8 decks) Dealer stands on soft 17.
The following basic strategy table is appropriate for European blackjack, at least the variation I saw played in Berlin and Hamburg, and specifically excepting the United Kingdom. The specific rules are as follows:
- Six decks (this chart is also accurate for 4 or 8 decks)
- Dealer stands on soft 17
- Player may only double on hard totals of 9-11
- Player may double after a split
- No-peek (player loses total bet, including after doubling or splitting, if dealer has blackjack)
The house edge under this rules is 0.62%.
To use the basic strategy look up your hand along the left vertical edge and the dealer's up card along the top. In both cases an A stands for ace. From top to bottom are the hard totals, soft totals, and splittable hands.
United Kingdom Blackjack
Prior to September 1, 2007, splitting fours, fives, and tens was not allowed. This only affected the basic strategy player with fours, increasing the house edge by 0.003%. I have heard that with the new law allowing all splits, doubling on any first two cards is also permitted, at least at the Grosvenor casinos. Following is the basic strategy for post 9/1/07 U.K. rules.
Early Surrender
If you should find a table that allows early surrender then take it with any of the following hands. I have heard rumors such games exist in Russia, and I know they do in Macau, except against a dealer ace.
- 12 to 17 vs. ace, including a pair of 6's, 7's or 8's
- 5 to 7 vs. ace, including a pair of 3's
- 14 to 16 vs 10, including pair of 7's or 8's
- 16 vs 9
Written by:Michael Shackleford
What is the most popular casino game nowadays? There can be many answers, as there are different tastes, but without a doubt blackjack card game is one of the most famous and widely played in casinos all over the world.
The game originated in the 17th century and during the history of blackjack many variations of this game of skill appeared. Skilled and professional players know and understand the difference between such variants as Spanish 21, Vegas Strip, Blackjack Switch, Perfect Pairs and European Blackjack. The latter gained popularity due to easy and understanding rules.
What is Game About
The main idea of the European Blackjack is the same as in traditional blackjack and it is to get as closer to 21 points as possible. Players are playing against the dealer, no matter how many players are sitting at the blackjack table.
Cards' Value
The value of the cards in the European variant of blackjack remains the same: Ace is counted as 11 or 1 (depending on the hand), all face cards are counted as 10 and the small cards are counted according to the numbers written on the cards, e.g. 7 is counted as 7.
Blackjack Rules 101
European Blackjack Rules
Blackjack Rules For Dealer
- Only two decks of cards involved in the game;
- If a dealer has Blackjack, he automatically wins and this hand beats any players' hands even with the 21 in total;
- Push is when both the dealer and the Player have the equal number of points or Blackjack;
- A dealer must always hit when having 16 or less;
- No peeking for Blackjack for Dealer;
- Doubling Down is allowed for players when their hands are 9, 10 or 11;
- Splitting is allowed only once;
- Players are allowed to hit up to nine times to have 11 cards in total.
Blackjack Rules Chart
Players should keep in mind that knowing the rules can help them when playing but this will not guarantee the winning as there are different strategies for blackjack that can increase the chances for winning.