Playing blackjack abroad 

While hugely popular in the US, blackjack is also popular around the world. It is a game that is loved across Europe and beyond. While land-based casinos have much to offer, the explosion in the number of online casinos has ensured that blackjack has become accessible to more and more people. In this article, we’re going to take a look at what it means to play blackjack outside of the US. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some things to take into consideration before playing Blackjack abroad. 

Additionally, we will be considering some of the differences with the game itself, and lastly we’re going to take a look at your responsibilities when it comes to declaring your winnings back home. If you want to learn more then read on.

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
Playing Blackjack abroad

Playing blackjack abroad – Isn’t blackjack just blackjack?

It’s easy to head abroad with the intention of enjoying the casino experience while expecting blackjack to be just the same. Well, the reality is that as soon as you head outside of the US (or onto certain online casinos) there are differences that you need to be aware of.

Let’s take a look at top tips that will ensure that you’re fully prepared and ready to enjoy your game.

The number of decks used when playing blackjack abroad 

If you’re used to playing blackjack in the US then you’ll have probably played six-deck games, as these are the ones that are most common. However, there is also a mix and you can easily find single and double-deck games too. When you head abroad, you’ll still be able to find six-deck games but one and two-deck games are extremely rare. 

The single-deck games in the US will generally pay 6:5 for a blackjack. In the US, you’ll also come across a host of variants of the game such as Blackjack Switch and Spanish 21. In contrast, casinos abroad will usually pay the much preferred 3:2 but there will be fewer variants to choose from. 

A look at the dealer’s down card

If you’ve played in the US, then you’ll already know what happens with the dealer’s down card. This card is taken before players act on their hands. When you play at casinos abroad, you’ll find that the dealer won’t take their second card until every player has acted on their hand. This is referred to as the ‘No-Hole-Card Rule’.

Does the European No-Hole-Card rule matter?

Also known as the ENHC, this rule is found in practically all European casinos, both land-based and online. With the rule in place, if a player chooses to double down or split but then goes on and loses to the dealer’s blackjack, the initial wager and the secondary wager are both lost. In the US, most casinos will see the dealer peek at their down card and if they have a blackjack, players don’t have the opportunity to split or double down. 

The ENHC rule isn’t great news. When used it sees the house edge increasing by around 0.11%. It also means that you’ll need to make adjustments to basic blackjack strategy rather than playing as you would in the US.

The differences with surrender when playing blackjack abroad 

When playing blackjack in the US, you’ll probably have come across late surrender. This rule allows you to surrender your hand, and forfeit half of your wager after the dealer has checked for blackjack and found that they don’t have it. In European casinos, as well as some in Asia, they offer early surrender.

With early surrender, players are able to surrender before the dealer has checked for blackjack. If you look at the impact that early surrender has on the house edge, you’ll realize that this is a player-friendly rule and it’s a shame that this isn’t widely available in the US. 

A look at insurance when playing blackjack abroad 

In the US, you are usually offered the insurance bet when the dealer has an ace as their upcard. Some casinos will also allow insurance if the dealer is showing a 10 as their upcard. When you play abroad, the blackjack rules around this are a little different.

Playing at casinos overseas, especially those in the UK, sees you only being able to take the insurance wager if you have a blackjack. This equates to you taking even money so if you take the bet, no matter if the dealer has a blackjack or not, even money is what you’ll be paid.

Card counting 

While card counting is perfectly legal, we’ve explored in other articles just how much US casinos detest it. When you use card counting in a US casino and are caught, there’s a good chance that you’ll be asked to leave and there’s also a risk that you could be banned. Casinos abroad aren’t quite so strict.

If you play blackjack in the UK, you’ll find that casinos are far more tolerant of card counters. You’ll also find that bigger bet spreads are more accepted than they are back home.

Declaring your winnings 

If you’ve had a successful gambling trip abroad, the last thing that you want is to have your winnings confiscated when it comes to re-entering the US. While there are no restrictions as to how much money you can bring back into the country, you do need to declare if you’re carrying more than $10,000. This includes cash and endured checks. 

The best thing to do is to avoid carrying large sums of money in the first place. If you really need to then it’s useful to be able to provide proof as to where the money came from. Why? Well, criminals are known to carry large sums of cash and you don’t want to risk being classed as part of this group. Not if you want to keep hold of your money anyway.

Some forms of proof that may help include:

  • A gambling log showing your activities 
  • A copy of your tax return (certified)
  • A letter from your attorney to show that you’re on a gambling trip or that you’re a professional gambler.

Yes, this all takes extra effort but it’s certainly worth it!

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 Blackjack