Play European Blackjack Online for Free

Just like amusement parks couldn’t exist without rides and attractions, and books without words, likewise, modern online casinos wouldn’t be the same without Blackjack, simply because it would undermine the very purpose of gambling. Though the Blackjack outcome depends mainly on a player’s choice, part of the game still relies on sheer luck, making Blackjack a go-to choice for many punters who are longing for something more elaborate than slots and roulettes that often feel repetitive and unvaried.

By popular demand, new variations of the old-time classic appear regularly to keep the blackjack lovers satisfied and entertained. Though the original Blackjack has been around for ages, many gamblers prefer the European version over the authentic one.

European Blackjack: A Step-by-step Guide

European Blackjack rules mirror the American Blackjack in most senses, apart from some minor features that have a massive impact on the gameplay. Before outlining the difference, here’s a quick rundown for those punters who have never tried their hands on any of the Blackjack’s variations.

Blackjack is an extremely popular table game, arranged in the player-vs-dealer mode. The main goal of the game is to beat the dealer by getting as close to the card value of 21 as possible without topping out that score. Card value is calculated depending on the card itself: numbered cards are worth their value (e.g., 9 of hearts equals 9 points), while the face cards are equally worth 10. When it comes to the Aces, there is a catch – though in most cases they are worth 11, if the hand score exceeds 21, Ace then changes its value and is worth no more than one point.

The game starts after players have chosen their bets (bet amount ranges from 1 to 100) and the dealer has dealt the cards. Up until this point, everything was a matter of luck, but now a strategy comes in – after seeing the dealt cards, players have an important decision to make. Gamblers have to choose among hitting (receiving one more card that adds its value to the hand score), standing (ending the turn as it is), doubling (multiplying the initial bet by two to receive one more card), splitting (separating cards of the same value for separate hands) or surrendering (immediately stepping out of the game and leaving with have of the original bet). Keep in mind that the latter is not available in the European version.

It is vital for players to take their time determining the next step to avoid exceeding the limit of 21, the reason being immediate elimination from the round. After players take their turns, the dealer then reveals his hand, and the winner whose score is closer to 21 is announced.

What is the difference between American and European Blackjack?

Though the base of both variations remains the same, there are a few subtle differences that attract gamblers all over the world to give the European version a try. Here are some of them in brief:

• The game is played with two decks of cards, which alone can help gain an advantage over the dealer and increase the win chances;
• During the card dealing, dealers receive only one face-up card. The second one is revealed only after all the players took their turns;
• When there is a chance to hit Blackjack (the first card is showing Ace or 10), dealers cannot view their hole card;
• Players cannot find out if the dealer has made a natural 21, until after the end of the hand round;
• Hard totals (4-, 5- or 10-value cards) cannot be split;
• Dealer always draws on 16 and stands on soft 17;
• Gamblers have a chance to double down after splitting the cards, however, this option is limited to certain providers only and is only eligible to be activated with a starting hand of 9, 10, or 11;
• It is still possible to split Aces, though in turn players will only receive one additional card;
• Punters can only split pairs once per round, with the restriction of splitting only identical ten-value cards. The resplitting is not allowed;
• There is a possibility to make use of the insurance feature;
• One cannot surrender in European Blackjack.