European Blackjack
European blackjack is a common variant in which the dealer takes no hole card until after players act, and which usually restricts doubling — rules that lift the house edge slightly above the classic game, to around 0.6%.
| House Edge | ~0.6% with basic strategy |
|---|---|
| Key Rule | No dealer hole card until players act |
| Decks | Usually 2 |
The no-hole-card difference
In European blackjack the dealer is dealt only one card up front and draws the second after all players have finished. This ‘no hole card’ rule means doubling or splitting against a dealer who later reveals a blackjack costs you those extra wagers, which slightly raises the edge. Doubling is also typically limited to hard totals of 9 to 11, so basic strategy differs subtly from the classic game.
Frequently asked questions
How is European blackjack different?
The dealer takes no hole card until players act, and doubling is restricted, which nudges the house edge slightly above the classic version.
Sources
- Published European blackjack rules
- Basic-strategy analysis