European Blackjack in Canada

In 2015, Canadians were interviewed regarding the card games they favour when visiting casinos, with 7% indicating a preference for blackjack. Several years later and the game has become even more popular. Also, its European version is particularly notable. European Blackjack is a popular variation of the classic blackjack game and is played with a few rule differences compared to the standard American blackjack.

European Blackjack is typically played with two standard decks of 52 cards. In some variations, multiple decks may be used. The dealer receives only one face-up card, known as the upcard. The dealer does not receive a hole card (a face-down card) until the players have completed their hands. This means that the dealer does not check for blackjack immediately.

The main aim of the game is to get 21 or close to it but without exceeding this amount. Of course, the rule changes depending on the game variation you choose. Plus, the casino game can feature extra dynamics to impact the overall likelihood of success, including side bets. Here, we’ll explain the basic blackjack rules and highlight all the situations when Canadians should consider extra options.

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  Card Values in European Blackjack

  You’ll notice that European Blackjack card values remain consistent with the standard values used in most blackjack variations. Numbered cards (two to nine) are worth their face value. Face cards (Jack, Queen, and King) are all worth 10 points each. Whether it’s a Jack, Queen, or King, they all carry the same value. The Ace is a special card that can be worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on the player’s choice and the hand’s requirements.

  Example:

  A three of hearts is worth three points, a six of diamonds is worth six points, and so on.

  Interesting fact:

  The suits aren’t considered, so these can be clubs, spades, and other suits. Ace is the only card that has a flexible value (always the condition which is better for the player).

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  Hand Signals in European Blackjack

  To request an additional card, players use a tapping motion on the table with their fingers or lightly scratch the felt towards themselves. To indicate no more cards, players place their palm or open hand horizontally over their cards, parallel to the table. To double the original bet and receive only one more card, players can place an additional bet next to their original wager, then extend one finger or point to their cards.

  Example:

  To signal a split, players place an additional bet equal to their original wager next to the initial bet and use a V-shaped gesture.

  Interesting fact:

  These are physical gestures used by players to communicate their desired actions to the dealer without speaking. Please note that these signals aren’t available online.

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  Payouts in European Blackjack

  The standard European Blackjack payout for a winning hand is 1:1, meaning you receive an amount equal to your original bet. If you’re dealt a blackjack, which is an Ace and a 10-value card (10, Jack, Queen, or King), the payout is typically 3:2, so your C$10 bet will bring you C$15 and you’ll get the C$10 bet back as well.

  Example:

  You bet C$10 and have a hand worth 15 (ten and five), while the dealer’s hand is 14. This means that you win and get paid $10 and will get an extra C$10 back (your initial bet).

  Interesting fact:

  When the game accepts side bets, you can get paid accordingly when meeting the conditions of a certain stake. Information regarding the money you can win is available from the menu.

In European Blackjack, the house edge tends to be lower compared to some other blackjack variations.

As you can see, though the European Blackjack RTP is large, you still need to play responsibly and remember that the house wins in the long run.

Online blackjack is available in various forms, including not only RNG and live dealer versions but also different types with varying rules. Canadians can encounter European, Spanish, Switch, and Atlantic City variations. Here are the main differences between these blackjack variants:

Here at Casino Canada, we believe that a basic strategy is a perfect option for European Blackjack. It’s a mathematically derived strategy that provides the optimal play for every possible combination of the player’s hand and the dealer’s upcard. It suggests the statistically most advantageous decision in each situation. Studying and memorizing basic strategy charts specific to European Blackjack, considering the rules and variations of the game you are playing, is an ideal approach. Applying a basic strategy reduces the house edge and improves your overall odds. Canadians can find strategy charts displaying all the steps and variations.

Some mistakes can decrease your winning potential. For example, by deviating from basic strategy, players increase the house edge and reduce their odds of winning.

🚫 Failing to utilize basic strategy

This is one of the most significant mistakes to make in European Blackjack. The basic strategy provides mathematically optimal decisions for every possible combination of the player’s hand and the dealer’s upcard.

Solution:

Make sure to study and apply the basic strategy for the best results. Failing to consider the dealer’s upcard and its potential value can lead to sub-optimal decisions.

🃏 Missing splitting pairs and doubling down

Splitting pairs and doubling down are valuable options in European Blackjack, but some players fail to utilize them effectively.

Solution:

It’s important to understand the situations where splitting or doubling down is recommended according to basic strategy.

🎰 Compulsive gambling

Responsible gambling is also essential since chasing losses can lead to further losses and have a larger negative impact on your bankroll.

Solution:

Remember to play responsibly and manage your bankroll wisely.

Canadian customers who don’t want to leave their homes or, especially, their country to play European Blackjack can enjoy a good alternative in the form of online gambling. In fact, this is one of the best ways to play for real cash, benefit from the number of strong sides, and simplify things a great deal:

Here at Casino Canada, we test online casinos and review each site before delivering our rating of all the choices Canadians have to play European Blackjack. We choose sites operated by a reliable company and accepting players from specific countries (in this case, Canada), analyze the maximum withdrawal limits, make sure that there are bonuses like free spins and action tourneys that gamblers can take part in, and undertake at least a couple of real-money rounds to test the sites. As a result, desktop and mobile users are welcome to trust us and choose a reliable gambling site to sign up, top up an account, and play European Blackjack online in Canada!

• European Blackjack is the most popular variation of the game, accounting for over 40% of all Blackjack games played in Europe.
• The house edge in European Blackjack is 0.39%, which is lower than the house edge of 0.48% in American Blackjack.
• European Blackjack is played with two decks of cards, whereas American Blackjack is typically played with six or eight decks.
• In European Blackjack, the dealer must stand on soft 17, whereas in American Blackjack, the dealer must hit on soft 17.
• European Blackjack allows players to double down on any two cards, whereas American Blackjack only allows players to double down on certain hands.
• This version does not allow players to re-split Aces, whereas American Blackjack does allow players to re-split Aces.

Blackjack is one of the most popular card games in the world, and the European Blackjack variant definitely deserves the attention of Canadian players. The variants that online players can enjoy include games with real dealers or RNG titles. In both cases, the chances of getting hands at certain values are the same, while we should note that the overall RTP of these games is very appealing too.

For those fond of risky yet beneficial bets, side-bet options are an ideal approach. Although the online version doesn’t accept card counting, this can be compensated by casino bonuses available in the online variant. By using a strategy chart that features the potential moves, players can try to minimize the house edge.

When looking for something catchy among those tables with good potential and accessible rules, take a peek at European Blackjack, which offers numerous ways to develop a gambling strategy and have fun!