European Blackjack is considered to be one of the most player-friendly games. With a reasonable strategy, any player can get fair odds and also learn how to play well. Note that rules governing European blackjack vary all over the world. Different variations have minor changes. Most of the games have fair odds for players, and where to play is the player choice.
Players compete against the dealer and aim to get a hand that is close to 21 without going over.
Numbered cards are worth their pip value while face cards are worth ten points when playing.
Aces, on the other hand, are unique. They are 11 points, but if an ace card would make a hand to be more than 21, then it counts as one point.
To start a game, each player receives two cards face up. The dealer also gets dealt a hand. The American version the cards are dealt one face up and one face down.
Any player with an ace and a ten-point card already has the best hand, called blackjack. The hand pays out at 3-2 odds, except if the dealer has one in which case the hands push.
Players with less than 21 points get a chance to play out their hands. In this case, the player can opt to:
• Hit- a player gets an extra card which adds value to their hand.
• Stand- the player sticks with the hand they have and ends their turn.
• Double down- The player doubles the bet on the initial hand in exchange for an extra card, after which they stand.
• Split- a player with two cards of the same value can split them into separate hands. Play each hand for a bet going forward.
• Surrender- a player can forfeit half their wager to end play.
Double down, split or surrender depends on the variant of poker.
If a hand is more than 22, the player hand loses, and the player forfeits.
The dealer reveals or “deals” the second hand after the players have finished with their hands.
There are strict rules for the dealer to follow that determines how they proceed. The dealer also gets one card at the start of the game.
There are some rule changes which are very specific to European blackjack. Players double down when the starting hand is 9, 10 or 11. When aces are split, payers get only one extra card
The dealer stands on a soft 17, and when this happens, it is in favor of the player. Another well-known rule is that only two decks in the shoe.
It is important to note that dealer blackjack trumps you despite having 21 in hand.
European Blackjack is the more conservative strategy when up against a dealer or ace. When enjoying this table game, you will not see the dealer has a real money blackjack until the end of a hand. It is risky to put more bets on the table on the table, especially against an ace.