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European Blackjack, in any of its guises, is the most popular card game on the planet. Millions play it daily, be it in online or offline settings, and as you will expect, its popularity has been built over many years, with the first recorded game being in France way back in the mid-1700s.
Like many other table games and card games that have been around for centuries and evolved, there isn’t just one type of blackjack. There are several. And today, we’re checking out the European version, which many people suggest is the most popular and the most significant in equal measures.
Because Blackjack was developed and first appeared in Europe, there is a suggestion, which is arguably correct, that the European version is not only the most prevalent for this reason. But it’s also the foundation and the base from which other versions of blackjack have been formed.
So, when punters are playing the European version of Blackjack in one of its multiple guises. They are also playing the game that is responsible for creating a massive array of blackjack titles. Without it, the likes of American Blackjack and Blackjack Switch may not have ever come into existence.
Gameplay
Playing blackjack is straightforward, and this applies even more so to the European version. It’s what makes the game fantastic because it really is one that any can be up to speed with after a round or two, and it’s going to be enjoyable as a result. As always, the first step any punter must take is to decide how much they want to stake.
Once the stake has been decided and bets have been placed, the dealer will dish out the cards. Now, some people can forget the next stage of the game, which is when the cards are dealt, and the player or the dealer has a blackjack. If there is a blackjack in play, the game is over.
If there are no blackjacks in play initially, the typical game of blackjack will begin, where punters must decide whether they want to hit, split, double, take insurance or stand.
Usually, players will have a strategy in mind when it comes to making this decision, based on the strength of their hand. No matter what, the aim of the game remains the same, to get as close to twenty-one as possible without going bust at any point along the way.
Best Casinos To Play European Blackjack
It again doesn’t matter what version of blackjack you want to play; all the best online casinos have dedicated sections for blackjack titles.
It doesn’t matter how you want to play, be it in a player versus computer scenario or in a live setting, you can enjoy European Blackjack in any way you want. It all fits with European Blackjack being one of the most accessible games around.
When punters visit real money casino sites, they will more or less decide whether they want to play video slots or if they want to play table games. And, if it’s table games a player has an appetite for, it won’t just be one type of European Blackjack title they can play either. There will be multiple. So, they aren’t going to be stuck playing European Blackjack in the same way, or the same setting, repeatedly.
As European Blackjack, in either live or auto form, is very much the go-to for table game and card game enthusiasts, casino operators often include it in promotions as they know it’s a game that players love getting stuck into.
Promotions at online casinos are always mutually beneficial, as they provide value for money for punters, and they’re a reward in some cases for the loyalty members have shown during their time with a platform.
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If you had to choose a version of Blackjack to play, most people would pick European, and that tells you everything you need to know about how popular the game is.
There are loads of reasons to like it, such as it being the type of game that anyone can enjoy. In addition, there isn’t a skill gap, which is sure to please many casual players.
What is also excellent about European Blackjack is that it isn’t just one game we’re talking about. There are live versions. There are titles where it’s players versus the AI. Again, it’s a single game, but it provides tons of variety and has been the inspiration behind other blackjack variants.
European Blackjack Rules
There are a number of rules or guidelines that punters should be aware of if they play to play European Blackjack and to take it seriously. Of course, in most instances, a dealer will guide new players through rounds so they can pick up the game and its rules as quickly as possible.
The rules are things such as a dealer’s blackjack being an automatic winner, and it will always trump a player’s hand. The game will be pushed if both the player and dealer have a blackjack hand. If a dealer has a hand value of sixteen, they will be required to hit, but they must stand on a soft seventeen.
Splitting is an option in European Blackjack, which is excellent, but punters can only split once per hand and cannot split on 4s or 5s. Doubling down is also another option open to players in the European version, but they can only use it on split cards or on nine, ten or eleven values.
For some, the rules can appear to be complicated and like there is a lot to remember. But, in most cases, the game will flow naturally, and casual play of European Blackjack is a doddle.
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European Blackjack Tips
One thing you can be sure of where European Blackjack is concerned, or blackjack in general, is that there will be pages and pages of tips, tricks and strategies available to check out on the internet. And that’s great. Although, we’ll suggest any system you develop works with your style of play and your thinking.
You should never incorporate a strategy or use tips that don’t fit with how you play your blackjack, as they will lead to indecisiveness.
Of course, any strategy or tips for European Blackjack is going to relate to the hand you have and its value. In reality, you can break a simple system down into three simple rules.
Punters should stand if they have seventeen or more, hit when they have a hand of sixteen or less against 7+, and stand on 12+ against six or less, as the dealer will likely go bust.
Following these simple rules will stand players in good stead, especially those new to the game. There is then the opportunity to build out a further and more in-depth strategy when a punter is up to speed and feels comfortable with what they’re already doing.
Why European Blackjack Is So Popular?
It’s easy to see why European Blackjack, and blackjack in general, is one of the most popular casino games around. As we mentioned above, European Blackjack is a game for everyone.
It isn’t a game where players need to do tons of research and to spend hours learning how to play. The game, and the aim of it, are incredibly straightforward. It’s the perfect pick up and play title and one of those games everyone will have played from time to time.
There is also no getting away from how accessible European Blackjack is at Online Casinos. Yes, you can still enjoy it offline at most land-based gaming venues, but online is where it’s at these days.
While multiple European Blackjack titles are player vs AI in the traditional sense, punters can also play it live, in real-time, thanks to interactive casino content. So, you’ve effectively got a way to enjoy the authentic European blackjack experience in the comfort of your own home, or wherever is convenient for you, the player.
Pros
- Live dealer versions are available
- Easy game to get to grips with
- No real skill needed
- Perfect game for punters of all budgets
- Can play on mobile
Cons
- Skill doesn’t influence chances of winning
- Returns aren’t great, even for blackjack
- Fast gameplay can lead to quick losses
- Wagering requirements of some European blackjack bonuses aren’t ideal
- Difficult to gain an edge or to reduce the house advantage
There are several differences between the European and American versions of Blackjack, one being that in the European variant, the dealer will receive a card face up but doesn’t look at his second card, which is face down, until players have made their moves.
The best way to learn is by playing. And, there are many European Blackjack Games online that you can play for free to get up to speed.
Blackjack, in its many forms, has been playable on an array of devices for years. It’s arguably the perfect game for mobile play.
Insurance, which is available in European Blackjack as a side bet, is when punters wager on a dealer’s ace producing blackjack.
European Blackjack is classed as a low variance casino game.
European Blackjack will pay at evens when players win a hand.
You must be eighteen or over to play European Blackjack online in most places. Some platforms will require you to be twenty-one.
A blackjack hand pays 3:2 for a natural.
The house edge in European Blackjack ranges between 0.41% and 0.72%.
If you choose to split, you will pay double the wager and run with two hands.
European Blackjack is a game of chance, and there will always be a house edge, so you’re unlikely to get rich from playing.
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