Casino Blackjack - How to Play Euro Blackjack

How to Play Euro Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world. It is fast-paced, easy to follow and incredibly popular. It has also been glamorized in the book “Bringing Down the House” and in the now famous movie “21” about the MIT Blackjack team that learned how to make money by using card counting techniques. Blackjack, however, is not a game that is played just one way. There are many types of blackjack found in many casinos and online rooms around the world.

One of the more popular and often played versions is European Blackjack. European Blackjack uses many of the standard rules of the game, but also has some slightly different variations that make it unique.

For example, European blackjack utilizes two decks; classic blackjack uses one, while Vegas blackjack uses eight. The number of decks used changes your odds to hit your hand, as well as the dealers. The more decks used makes card counting more difficult as well.

European Blackjack has the following general guidelines:

--Double Down on 9, 10, 11 only.

--No doubling after a split.

--No resplitting.

--Dealer will stand on a asoft 17.

--Players are allowed to draw to split aces.

--There is no surrender.

--Player loses total amount bet against the dealer’s blackjack.

--One bet position allowed.

--Insurance is allowed.

- You may draw up to nine additional cards to make a hand of eleven cards.

Otherwise, the basic rules are all the same. Players try to get as close to 21 as possible without going over, and their total must beat the dealer’s hand. A push returns the wager.

Suits of the cards are meaningless, and card values are as follows: 2-10 equals face value; king, queen and jack are represent a value of 10; an ace can be worth 1 or 11. A hand with an ace in it is called a “soft” hand. A hand without an ace is a “hard hand.”

Blackjack returns 3-2 to the player while other victories are even money.

European blackjack is very popular in many online casinos. This is good news for players who have several options in what sort of blackjack they wish to play. It is also good news for the player who wants to try free play before risking real money either online in a casino. You can get a feel and understanding of the game for free before risking real money.

Many strategy cards are available online to help with European Blackjack. These cards give you a strong, odds-based background to make your plays. By simply following them you will employ a rigid, effective strategy that reduces the house’s edge and gives you a chance to make money long term.

Blackjack is unique from many casino card games, because it is one of the few that employs skill and is not just a pure game of chance. Many other strategies exist besides strategy cards as illustrated in the movie 21.

Learn the subtle differences in European blackjack and you too will be successful in narrowing the house odds. Like the other forms of blackjack, thanks to online play, European blackjack isn’t just for Europe. It is being played on laptops and computer screens all over the world.