American Blackjack vs European Blackjack 

One of the attractions of blackjack is the number of variants that are available to play.  Those who are big fans of the game are probably aware of a host of these and will no doubt have their list of favorites. However, the more casual casino player may not even realize that there are different versions of blackjack. They may not even know that American and European Blackjack are things. In this article we´ll take a look at American vs European Blackjack. 

When you look at these two blackjack variants, they appear to be very similar on the surface. You’ll certainly find that they’re both the go-to versions at the majority of online casinos. While many layers won’t mind which version they play, those who understand the game a little better are likely to steer towards the American game.

A brief look at American Blackjack reveals that it’s that much more profitable than the European game. However, it’s not quite that straightforward. The thing is that individual casinos apply different rules that can soon bring things back in their favor.

If you’re feeling confused, it’s fair to say that it’s understandable. Let’s dive in now and simplify the real differences between these two versions of such a great casino game. 

21+ | Terms & Conditions Apply | NJ Residents Only
bet365100% New Player Bonus up to $1000!
Best Casino and Sportsbetting in NJ
Slots and Live Casino

Casino at bet365 – 100% New Player Bonus of up to $1,000! New Casino customers only. Deposit min. $10. Max. bonus $1,000. Value of deposit plus bonus must be wagered 20 times. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Visit Casino
Review
American vs European Blackjack

American vs European Blackjack – A look at the rules 

When considering American Blackjack vs European Blackjack there are both blackjack rules and blackjack strategies to consider. We thought that we’d start by taking a look at the rules of the games:

American Blackjack rules

When the cards are dealt in American Blackjack, the dealer, like each player, receives two cards. However, how these cards are displayed is different to how the player’s cards are shown. The dealer will have one card facing up while the other is face down and can’t be seen.

If the dealer’s up card is an ace, the dealer is allowed to peak at the face-down card. If this card is a picture card or a 10 this means that the dealer has a natural blackjack. This means that the dealer instantly wins and that the game is over. The positive here is that the player has avoided further risks such as splitting or doubling down when they were always going to lose. 

Before the dealer looks at the down card, players are given the opportunity to take an insurance bet. If the dealer doesn’t have a blackjack then the insurance bet is lost but the main game continues.

European Blackjack rules

When it comes to European Blackjack, things work a little differently. The dealer is again dealt two cards with one face up and the other face down. The difference is that the dealer is not allowed to look at their face-down card until every player has played their hands.

The downside here is that it’s perfectly possible that the dealer may have a natural blackjack without you knowing. You can, of course, follow basic strategy so that your next move is informed but you’re still relatively blind when compared to the American version of the game.

American vs European Blackjack – How about strategy?

When it comes to basic strategy, you’ll find that this is the same for both American and European Blackjack. When the dealer has an up card that’s on the weak side then it’s worth trying to get more chips on the table. You get the chance to do this by either doubling down or splitting. Maybe your own hand shows promise. When this is the case, doubling down makes sense and gives you the chance to maximize your winnings.

If the dealer is showing a strong card then things are a little different. Let’s say that they’re showing an eight, a nine or a 10. When this is the case then you shouldn’t entertain the idea of doubling down unless you have a hand of 10 or 11.

All that being said, there are subtle differences between the two games and the strategy that should be employed. That’s down to the fact that American Blackjack has a number of its own variants such as:

  • Atlantic City Blackjack 
  • Double Attack Blackjack
  • Spanish 21
  • Vegas Strip Blackjack 

Some of the variations that will impact strategy include:

  • How many decks there are in play. This will generally be six or eight
  • Whether the dealer has to stand when they have soft 17
  • Whether the payout for blackjack is 3:2 or 6:5
  • If you’re allowed to make blackjack following the splitting of aces
  • If you’re allowed to double down after splitting
  • If there is the chance to split more than just once
  • The option for late surrender 

Why not learn for free?

If you really want to get to grips with the differences between American and European blackjack then it may well be worth playing these games for free. There are plenty of online casinos that will allow you to create an account and then go on and play without the need to wager any money.

Of course, when you’re not wagering real money there’s no opportunity to win any either. However, this means that you can enjoy a risk-free experience while you master the subtle differences between the two games. By the time it comes to playing for real money, you’ll know exactly what you’re doing regardless of the version of the game that you want to play. 

When you’re ready to play for real money, don’t forget that there’s also a good chance that there will be welcome bonuses available and you should make the most of these.

Final thoughts on American vs European Blackjack

There are an array of blackjack variants to choose from but American and European Blackjack tend to be the go-to choices for the majority of players. The biggest difference between these two games is the fact that in American Blackjack, the dealer is able to take a look at their face-down card if the up card is an ace.

It’s worth exploring free versions of each of these variants so that you can master the subtle differences and ensure that you have the best chances of winning when you play for real money.

21+ | Terms & Conditions Apply | NJ Residents Only
bet365100% New Player Bonus up to $1000!
Best Casino and Sportsbetting in NJ
Slots and Live Casino

Casino at bet365 – 100% New Player Bonus of up to $1,000! New Casino customers only. Deposit min. $10. Max. bonus $1,000. Value of deposit plus bonus must be wagered 20 times. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Visit Casino
Review
Bet365 bonus