The differences between American and European blackjack
Padraig Cardenas Posted on 09:43

The differences between American and European blackjack

European and American gambling rules are often adjusted to suit their taste, and blackjack has also not escaped the fate. For example, the American version uses some terms from American soccer. If you are the player sitting on the left hand of the dealer, then your seat is called first base, and the one sitting on the right hand is called third base.

In any type of blackjack, the player should aim to have a higher point total than the dealer, but not more than 21. But if we take a closer look at the game, we will find that European and American blackjack have some differences.

European Blackjack

The birthplace of blackjack is considered to be Italy. It was 1440 when the Italian priest and Franciscan missionary Bernadino of Siena first mentioned the game in one of his sermons, after which thousands of dice and cards were burned.

Many great men of history have been famous for their addiction to this game. For example, Napoleon was not only an outstanding military leader, but also an excellent card player. During his exile, he would fill his evenings playing blackjack, leaving his rivals empty-handed.

The differences of European blackjack

  • First, the dealer deals the first card drawn, before the player even decides on his/her hand. He takes the second card only when the players have finished their set of cards.
  • If you decide to fold, you can get back half of your bet. Double Down is possible if the player already has a total of 9 points. But if the dealer has a “soft 17” (a hand with an ace and a total of 17 points), he is obliged to take another card.

American Blackjack

In the beginning, this game was very popular in Nevada, only it was called “Twenty-One”. At that time, casinos sought to lure in the institution as many visitors, so invented various additional prizes and bonuses. For example, the lucky one, who fell Blackjack (Jack of spades), the winnings are paid at a ratio of 10:1. Gradually, the game became very popular, and additional prizes are no longer relevant to the casino, but Blackjack is well remembered by players, and this name is firmly entrenched in the game.

There are several versions of American Blackjack, and they differ in the number of playing decks and the dealer’s actions during the “software 17”. The most popular choices are Vegas Strip and Atlantic City.

The differences of American blackjack

  • The dealer deals himself two cards immediately after the start of the game: one open and the other with the shirt up.
  • The player has the option to fold at any point in the game. Double Down can be done regardless of the cards in hand. With the combination of “soft 17”, the dealer does not take his own card.

So, you’ve already seen that fans of the American game have much more room to maneuver.

Strategies for different variations of the game

  • If you like American blackjack, you’ll want to be prepared to play aggressively (you can tell immediately if the dealer has twenty-one).
  • In the European game, you don’t depend on a hidden card, so you can choose a conservative style.
  • For example, you have 11 points in your hand and the dealer has 10. If you’re playing the American version, you’re already required to double your bet, because you already know that the dealer won’t have “blackjack,” but in the European version, you can simply ask for another card.

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