Definitely based on what is one of the most popular and influential games in the casino industry, this is European Blackjack, a variation using similar base rules with slight deviations along the way. Whilst the differences in this variation of the game will take a player quite familiar with the rules of the traditional game to spot them at first, they do have an impact on the gameplay itself and therefore do make for a different card game experience at the end of it all. One of the motivating factors behind the popularity of Blackjack is that the house edge in this form of card game is often very low, putting players quite level with the dealers they compete against. This fortunately is a factor shared by most of the top variations, including this one.
Since the game is fundamentally the same, experienced players will find themselves easily able to transition into this online European Blackjack format and rather quickly get the hang of any of the subtle rule changes instilled. Whilst of course there are also variations of this particular type of Blackjack, the one described in this text will be of the standard found online blackjack Canada, with occasional changes made in different contexts. Overall all however, this card game plays with the same fervour the traditional game has become known for and players stand some good chances with this game too should they bring forth the right strategies.
A How To on European Blackjack
To start at the top, for the layman out there, this card game is played with decks of 52 cards, the standard French deck. In this format the shoe, which contains all the cards, usually consists of some 2 decks, though again this number may vary across different variations of European Blackjack. To start things off players place an ante bet, or initial wager. This effectively buys them into the game, where they then receive their customary 2 face up cards. A difference here, from the original gameplay setup, is that the dealer receives only one card, the face down hole card. Where this makes a notable impact is in the insurance bet and the possibility of surrender, which will be explained later.
Players can then perform the same options one would expect in most Blackjack variations, which is to hit, stand, double down or split. These choices are available at specific times and moments, and depend on the cards in play and the strategy the player wishes to implement. Like most games this European Blackjack also involves an objective of 21 points, with anything more considered going bust. The winner, between dealer and player, is the one with the highest points, 21 or under. Equal points are considered a push.
Additional Terms and Final Conclusions on Blackjack
The main difference then, between this European Blackjack and what could be considered traditional Blackjack, is that the dealer receives only the one face up card and can only tell if they have a natural, 21 points with 2 cards, after the players have placed all their bets and stood. This can make an insurance bet, one made on the dealer getting a natural, a large part of the game, and one of the necessary components to compensate for this shift.