Skip to main content

European Blackjack Online Australia 2024

Winnie Isiah | November 11, 2022 | Updated on: February 16th, 2024

European Blackjack is one of the most played online blackjack variations, along with American Blackjack. European BlackjackThis guide will take you through everything there is to know about this blackjack version.

We will introduce you to some of Australia’s best European Blackjack casinos. You will discover where to enjoy this game best and learn more about the game’s rules and strategies to help you win.

Best European Blackjack Real Money Online Casinos

1
Best online casinos - Casino Jax

$5000 Bonus+100 Free Spins

97% Payout

Min Deposit: $20

97% PayoutMin Deposit: $20

$5000 Bonus+100 Free Spins 97% Payout - Min Deposit: $20
2
Best Online Casinos - Stellar Spins Casino

$10,000 Bonus+200 Free Spins

99% Payout

Min Deposit: $10

99% PayoutMin Deposit: $10

$10,000 Bonus+200 Free Spins 99% Payout - Min Deposit: $10
3
New Casino
Slot Lords Casino

$6750 Bonus+250 Free Spins

98% Payout

Min Deposit: $20

98% PayoutMin Deposit: $10

$6750 Bonus+250 Free Spins 98% Payout - Min Deposit: $20
4
Best online casinos - King Johnnie

$6000 Bonus+200 Free Spins

99% Payout

Min Deposit: $20

99% PayoutMin Deposit: $20

$6000 Bonus+200 Free Spins 99% Payout - Min Deposit: $20
5
New Casino
King Billy Casino

$2500 Bonus+250 Free Spins

98% Payout

Min Deposit: $10

98% PayoutMin Deposit: $10

$2500 Bonus+250 Free Spins 98% Payout - Min Deposit: $10
6
New Casino
Golden Reels Casino

$2000 Bonus+200 Free Spins

98% Payout

Min Deposit: $10

98% PayoutMin Deposit: $10

$2000 Bonus+200 Free Spins 98% Payout - Min Deposit: $10

Play Real Money European Blackjack Online

Before diving deep into the European Blackjack strategies, we want to help you know why we recommend the sites we do.

Firstly, we understand that no one enjoys wasting time, so we only recommend sites that won’t require you to download software to play. In an equal measure, we have noted that time is money, and we recommend sites with the most efficient payouts. These sites also offer some of the best bonuses in Australia.

Above money, we know, lies players’ safety – we scrutinize the sites we recommend ensuring that they follow the standard customer protection regulations. These are some of the standard checks we follow before recommending casino sites.

These are the best sites to play European Blackjack games for real money in Australia.

European Blackjack

How to Play European Blackjack

The structure of European Blackjack is the same as that of other standard blackjack game variants.

  • The game is played between the dealer and the player.
  • The goal is to get a hand total of closer to 21
  • Cards 2 to 10 are valued at their face value
  • Jack, Queen, and King each equals 10 points
  • An Ace is valued as a one or an 11
  • The game is played using 2 to 8-card decks
  • Jokers are not used

Now that we got the main similarities out of the way, it is time to knuckle down on what makes European Blackjack unique.

  • Only the player is dealt the first two cards; both faced down
  • The dealer is dealt only one first card faced up
  • The dealer is only dealt the second card once the player has played his hand

These are the basics of how the game is played. Once the player plays their hand, the dealer will join in. Like the standard blackjack variant, the player can hit, stand, double down, split or take insurance.

European Blackjack Rules

This blackjack variant’s rules are not that different from all the standard blackjack rules. The only few things standing out are the number of times players are allowed to split and these few rules:

  • The dealer is not allowed to check for blackjack mid-game
  • If the dealer’s hand is 16, the dealer must hit
  • The dealer has to stand on a soft 17
  • If the dealer gets a blackjack, it beats any other 21-card value
  • If both the dealer and the player get a blackjack hand, the game gets pushed
  • The player is only allowed to split once per hand
  • Players can only double down on 11, 10 or 9
  • Players are allowed to double down on split card hand

European Blackjack Payouts

European Blackjack payout is like standard blackjack payouts. Unlike the Switch Blackjack, which pays 1:1 for blackjack wins, this variant also payout 3:2 for Blackjack wins.

  • Insurance win payouts are 2:1
  • Natural win payouts are 3:2 (Some casinos pay 6:5)
  • Other Blackjack wins payouts are 1:1

European Blackjack Basic Strategy

We will help you make better Blackjack moves whether you are dealt a soft hand or a hard hand. If you don’t know what a soft hand is and what a hard hand is: The former is a hand consisting of an Ace, and the latter is a hand without one. Soft hands are usually more advantageous because they can be flexible. This is because an Ace can be played as either a one or an 11.

European Blackjack Hard Hand Strategy

  • If you are dealt a hard hand of any value between 5 and 8, you must hit regardless of the dealer’s card value
  • If your card value is 9, you must hit if the dealer’s hand is a 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, or an Ace. If the dealer has a card other than those mentioned; you could either hit or double down
  • If your card value is 10 or 11, you should either double down or hit, but if the dealer’s hand is also a ten or an Ace, you can simply hit
  • If you have a 12, you must hit or stand if the dealer’s hand is between 4 and 6
  • If your card value is anything between 13 and 16, you must stand if the dealer’s hand is 2 to 6. If the dealer’s hand is a 7, 8, 9, 10, or an Ace, you should hit
  • If your hard hand exceeds 17, you must always stand.

Online European Blackjack Soft Hand Strategy

  • If you are dealt a soft hand between 13 and 17, you must always hit.
  • If your soft hand is an 18, you can hit if the dealer’s hand is a 9, 10, or an Ace. If the dealer’s hand is neither of that, then you must stand.
  • When you are dealt a soft hand totalling between 19 and 21, you must stand no matter the dealer’s hand.

Typical European Blackjack Pair Hand Strategy

  • If you are holding a pair of twos or threes, you should split when the dealer’s card is between 2 to 7. If the dealer is holding any other card, the best move is to hit.
  • If you are dealt a pair of fours, you should hit unless the dealer is holding a five or a six;
  • The best move for holding a pair of 5s is to either double down or hit if the dealer is holding any card from nine and below. Always hit if the dealer’s card is a ten or an Ace;
  • Should you find yourself holding a pair of sixes, you must split if the dealer card value is below six or hit ;
  • If you are holding a pair of sevens, you should split and only hit if the dealer is dealt an 8, 9, 10, or an Ace;
  • If you are dealt two 8s, you should split unless the dealer is holding a ten or an Ace, in which case you must hit;
  • If you are holding a pair of 9s, you must stand if the dealer’s card is a 7, 10, or an Ace. If the dealer’s card is neither of those, you must split ;
  • If you are dealt a pair of 10s, you must always stand;
  • If you are dealt a pair of Aces, you must always split unless the dealer also has an Ace, in which case you must hit.

American Blackjack Vs European Blackjack

Although the American Blackjack version and the European Blackjack version have the same basic rules, these two versions have a few notable distinctions. These are some of the key differences between American Blackjack and European Blackjack:

American Blackjack European Blackjack
The dealer is dealt two first cards and can consult at any time The dealer is only dealt one first card and is not allowed to peek until the player has played
No constraint to doubling down The player can only double down with a hand value of 9, 10 or 11
Players can split up to three times Players are allowed only to split once
Allowed to split mixed cards of the same values Can split 10-value cards of the same value

 

Other Blackjack Variants

The general view is that European Blackjack is the pioneer and the mother of all blackjack versions. This game is said to have been played using only a single deck of cards before it was adopted by players and casinos worldwide. Let’s look at some of the blackjack variants that are currently found in casinos around the world.

European Blackjack

Single Deck Blackjack

Single-deck blackjack games are played with only a single deck of cards. Although this blackjack version was more famous earlier, casinos are beginning to do away with it. This is because card counting is easier on this blackjack variant.

Double Exposure Blackjack

In double-exposure blackjack, the dealer’s first cards are both dealt face-up. This rule favours the player, who can easily strategize their next move, and because of this, the blackjack payout is smaller than other blackjack variants.

Perfect Pair Blackjack

Perfect Pairs blackjack rules allow players to make side bets on either the dealer’s or the player’s hand. Most Perfect Pairs Blackjack games have mixed pairs, colour pairs, and a perfect pair variant.

Blackjack Surrender

This blackjack game is played using six decks of 52 cards. Players are allowed to play a multi-hand game of Surrender Blackjack, and they can place a wager on five different hands at the same time.

Switch Blackjack

Switch blackjack allows players to switch cards between two hands. This blackjack version bends the rules further by making a dealer’s 22-card value results in a push against non-busted hands.

More Blackjack Guides

European Blackjack FAQs