European Blackjack

European Blackjack

The European Blackjack tables are known for having a whole lot of action. A lot of this comes down to some subtle changes in the rules. These changes may not seem like much, but they're definitely enough to change the entire dynamic of how the game rolls along.

Small Twists on a Classic Game

If you're a blackjack fan, you know that small differences exist between virtually all versions of the game. However, what makes European Blackjack stand out compared to most is how fundamental certain strategic ideas change as well.

The main feature of the European style of blackjack is how blackjack hands themselves are handled. Specifically, the dealer does not check his or her hand for blackjack before it's the player's turn to make a decision. That means you run into a situation where, if the dealer shows a ten or ace, you don't know for sure that the dealer doesn't have blackjack like you would in other styles of the game. This is known as the "no peek" rule, and it changes the dynamic of how you play, especially when it comes to options that change your bet size like doubling and splitting.

It can also affect the insurance decision, you don't get any option for insurance since that depends on the dealer checking for blackjack.

Other Fun Rule Changes

Doubling is also limited in this title. You can only double if you have a hand that comes to a total of 9, 10, or 11. Some players have a hard time remembering this rule because it's such a specific detail. The game only shows the button for doubling when it's available as an option to help avoid any confusion. European Blackjack is a fun variant of the classic game, one you will revisit again and again!