European
Blackjack
European Blackjack
is a very popular game in online casinos.
The cards are
dealt from a deck of cards called a shoe
containing 4 standard 52-card decks with all
jokers removed from the decks. The dealer deals
each player two cards face up. The dealer also
receives two cards but one is dealt face up, the
other is dealt face down.
Once all cards
have been dealt you will then decide whether to
hit or stand. If possible, you will also decide
whether you want to split, double or buy
insurance.
You win if you get
a get a hand higher than the dealer without
going over 21. For example, if the face value of
your cards is a Blackjack (Ace and a face card),
or if the dealer's cards are lower than yours
you win.
There are also a
few other things that you should be aware of
when playing European Blackjack.
The dealer must
hit on all hands totaling 16 or less and stand
on all hands totaling 17 or more.
Face cards (the
Jack, Queen and King) and 10s all have a value
of ten.
An Ace can be used
as either a 1 or an 11. If your hand contains an
Ace and does not go over 21 it is referred to as
a soft hand. An Ace automatically is used as the
value that is best for your hand. For example,
an Ace and eight is a 19. However, if a player
wants another card and that card makes you go
over 21, the ace would be used as a 1 so that
the hand does not go over 21.
If your hand goes
over 21 then you lose even if the dealer also
goes over 21. If the dealer goes over 21 but
your hand is under 21 then you win.
All hands that are
dealt an Ace and a 10 or a face card win, unless
the dealer also has a blackjack. If the dealer
also has a blackjack then it is a tie which is
more commonly referred to as a push.
All hands that
purchased insurance win if the dealer has a
blackjack – you will break even; if the dealer
doesn't have a blackjack the insurance bet
loses.
If the dealer's
hand total and the player's hand total are the
same then the hand is a tie or PUSH and the
player's bet is returned.
If you are dealt
an Ace and a 10 or face card this is called a
blackjack and your hand will STAND
automatically. If you beat the dealer with a
blackjack you are paid out at 3 to 2.
If you are dealt a
pair you may split your hand. This means that
your pair is divided into two separate hands
with two separate wagers. A second wager – equal
to your original wager – is automatically placed
on your second hand. You play both hands as
separate hands.
If you have split
a pair of aces and then draw a card with a value
of ten then this is not a blackjack. Such a hand
would have a value of 21. It beats the dealer's
hand value less than 21 and ties – called a push
– against the dealer's hand value of 21 except
if the dealer's hand is a blackjack. This rule
also applies to splitting pairs of cards with a
value of ten. Should you split a pair of tens
(or face cards) and then receive an ace this
hand is not a blackjack.
If you split Aces
you will receive only 1 more card to complete
your hand and if the second card is a face card
or 10 it is not a blackjack. You cannot split
your hand(s) again.
If the value of
your initial two cards is 9, 10 or 11 then you
are allowed to double. This is a wager that your
hand total with your next card will be higher
than the dealer’s completed hand. The wager
costs as much as your original bet, but should
you win you will be paid double of your total
wager (or four times your original wager.)
If the dealer's
face up card is an Ace you may purchase
insurance. Insurance is purchased prior to
playing your hand(s). If the player purchases
insurance and then splits their hand, the hand
will no longer be covered by insurance. If the
player purchases insurance and then doubles
their hand, only the initial wager is doubled.
Blackjack
European Payouts
Winning hands pay
1 to 1
Insurance pays 2
to 1
Black Jack pays 3
to 2
Push Hands –
original wager returned
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