European Blackjack at Online Casinos

Stefan Weber

4 min read

European Blackjack is known for its simplicity and is one of the most popular variants, especially with beginners. The rules are only minimally different from Classic Blackjack, making it a logical choice for new players exploring Blackjack variants.

The main feature distinguishing European Blackjack from its American counterpart is that there is no hole card. There are some other features too, such as splitting is only allowed once. These differences may seem minor, but they are actually quite significant and Blackjack pros will quickly tell you that they make it a very different game. It's definitely a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules before jumping in.

With a lower house edge than most casino games, European Blackjack is also a favorite among experienced gamblers. And of course, you can further improve your odds with basic strategy.

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European Blackjack Basics

You play against the dealer, and the winner will be the one who gets their hand closest to 21 without going bust. All standard. The key difference is how the cards are dealt.

1. Each player gets dealt 1 card, face up.
2. The dealer gets 1 card, face up.
3. Each player gets dealt a second card, face up.
4. Each player plays their move.
5. The dealer gets their 2nd card.

If you have an Ace and 10 or Face, that's a Blackjack and will be paid 3:2. If the dealer also has a Blackjack, that's a push and you get your stake back.

Some other European Blackjack features to be aware of:

• Option to double down if hand value is 9, 10 or 11.
• Split allowed once, must be card of same type, eg. 2 Queens – not 1 King and 1 Queen.
• Dealer must hit on 16 and stand on Soft 17.

Rules and Features

• Between 2 and 8 decks of cards
• No peek – dealer only gets one open card until players move
• One split allowed; no Blackjack thereafter
• Splits only allowed with identical cards
• Double down allowed after split
• Double down allowed on hard 9, 10, and 11
• Insurance allowed if dealer has an Ace
• Dealer stands at 17
• No surrender option

Play European Blackjack for free

Practice makes a huge difference when it comes to Blackjack. Especially for getting your basic strategy down pat. And the best way to practice is obviously to find a RNG blackjack game that you can play as much as you like.

You can find plenty of free European blackjack games at casino sites, all without download. Our team at Blackjack Guide makes it even easier and have embedded a European Blackjack demo game below so you don't need to look any further.

European Blackjack Demo Game

By pressing on "Play", I understand that I will be shown content from Play'n GO. Play'n GO

Play at Lucky Dreams Casino

European Blackjack vs American Blackjack

European Blackjack is very similar to Classic Blackjack, and very different from American Blackjack. Because of the way the cards are dealt, European Blackjack is a no peek game and this has consequences for the rest of the game.

We've summed up the differences between European and American Blackjack in the table for a direct comparison below.

*Note that some casinos and variants may vary slightly from these norms. For example, some American blackjack variants might not treat a dealer and a player's blackjack as a push.

As you can see, there are several differences here that make European Blackjack a slightly riskier variant than American Blackjack with a higher house edge. Other than no hole card, there is also a no peek rule in European Blackjack. This can make a huge difference for players because you can get your hand to 21 and still lose at the very end to a dealer's natural blackjack.

A good thing to keep in mind is that European and American Blackjack refer to normative rules in each region. That means it's best to think of the differences between the two variants listed above are regional norms rather than hard and fast rules. This is especially true when you bear in mind that there are several variants within American Blackjack itself, like Atlantic City, Vegas Strip, and Spanish 21 – which incidentally originates from Colorado, and not from Spain as the name might suggest.

Strategy optimized for European Blackjack

Basic strategy tells you what you should do depending on your hand, and in the case of European Blackjack - the dealer's up card. And as we keep repeating at Blackjack Guide, playing with basic strategy works. And since each Blackjack variant has its own specific rules that affect your odds, you can optimize basic strategy according to the rules of each game.

We've done the work for you and have the strategy chart optimized for European Blackjack below.

	Dealer's Up Card
Player's Hand		2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ace
	5	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
	6	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
	7	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
	8	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
	9	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
	10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
	11	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
	12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
	13	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
	14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
	15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
	16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
	17	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

Key: H (Hit), S (Stand), D (Double down)

And here is the strategy chart for when you should Split and Double Down.

	Dealer's Up Card
Player's Hand		2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ace
	A, 2	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
	A, 3	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
	A, 4	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
	A, 5	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
	A, 6	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
	A, 7	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H
	A, 8	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
	A, 9	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
	2, 2	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	H	H	H	H
	3, 3	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	H	H	H	H
	4, 4	H	H	H	Sp	Sp	H	H	H	H	H
	5, 5	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
	6, 6	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	H	H	H	H	H
	7, 7	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	H	H	H	H
	8, 8	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	H	H
	9, 9	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	S	Sp	Sp	S	S
	10, 10	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
	A, A	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	H

Key: H (Hit), S (Stand), Sp (Split), D (Double down)

More Info on Blackjack Strategy

European Blackjack Tips and Tricks

Because in European Blackjack, the dealer only gets their second card after everyone else has played, it is very risky to double down, especially when the dealer has a strong upcard such as an Ace or a 10.

So for beginners who are still learning strategy, this one is easy to remember: if you see the dealer has an Ace or 10 upcard, you never split or double down because you can lose everything if the last card that the dealer gets gives them a blackjack. Unless you have a pair of Aces, in which case you split because together the cards do nothing but can separately get you closer to 21.

And we can't say it enough, but practicing European Blackjack with basic strategy is the best thing you can do to reduce house edge to the minimum. So take full advantage of the free play offered by RNG Blackjack games and get in as much practice as you can.

Some online casinos also have bonuses that can be use towards live blackjack games if you prefer the human touch. Bonus chips will also give you a proper taste of real money gambling while still being sort of for free, since it's compliments of the house with your deposit. This bit of real money play will give you a taste that's complete with all the nerves that it entails, and this is something that a demo game or a blackjack simulator can never fully simulate in the end.

We would also forego betting systems like the Martingale. While there is a certain element of luck, European Blackjack is still very much a skill based game, and it would be better to dedicate your attention on basic strategy instead. This is especially true for beginner blackjack players – there is enough strategy to remember without adding changing bet sizes to the equation.

Read More Tips & Tricks

European Blackjack FAQs

1. What happens if there is a draw?
2. Does a player's 21 lose to dealer's blackjack?
3. Is there insurance in European Blackjack?
4. What is the house edge in European Blackjack?
5. Which is better? American or European Blackjack?

1. What happens if there is a draw?

If a player has the same hand value as the dealer, then it's a draw, aka a push, and the player's stake will be returned to the player.

2. Does a player's 21 lose to dealer's blackjack?

Yes, if your hand is a 21 with 3 cards, and the dealer has a natural blackjack on their second card, you will lose.

3. Is there insurance in European Blackjack?

Insurance is available in European Blackjack when the dealer has an Ace. As always, it will pay out 2:1 if the dealer has a blackjack. However, insurance is generally not recommended unless you are card counting.

Since insurance only pays out when you lose against a dealer's natural blackjack and not under any other situation, insurance is essentially a side bet on a dealer having a natural blackjack. If you lose for any other reason, which is statistically more likely to happen than a natural blackjack, you then lose both your main wager and the cost of insurance, instead of just your main wager.

4. What is the house edge in European Blackjack?

Although frequently quoted as 0.62%, European Blackjack games typically have a house edge ranging from 0.41% to 0.72%. The range is because there can be variations in how many decks are played. You can reach the minimum house edge by applying basic strategy.

Put alternatively, European Blackjack has a RTP over 99% and like other Blackjack games, it's one of the casino games that is most in favor of players.

5. Which is better? American or European Blackjack?

The answer depends on what you are looking for. Many find European Blackjack is easier to learn because its options are more basic. However, European Blackjack is a higher risk game because the dealer does not check for Blackjack, and players can split and double down and get a 21, but lose all their bets when the dealer gets a natural blackjack.

In American Blackjack, the dealer peeks after the cards are dealt and if they have a blackjack then the game ends there and there is no possibility that players lay down more money with splits or by doubling down.

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European Blackjack was tested and reviewed by Stefan Weber

I'm lucky enough to have found both my job and my calling on the internet. As the online marketing manager for a major sportsbook, I began in the online gambling business over a decade ago. The business has been good to me and I love the dynamics of the industry. A blackjack enthusiast myself, I try to provide articles that combine practicalities with the strategic elegance of the game in a way that both rookies and experienced players can appreciate. And when I can, I like to spend my free time on live streaming platforms such as Twitch and Kick.