In American Blackjack the dealer gets 2 cards – one facing up and one facing down. If the upcard is an Ace, the dealer will immediately peek at the hole card.

American v European Blackjack. September 11, 2017 by Staff Writer. American and European Blackjack share the same main objective with all other types of blackjack: beat the dealer by acquiring a hand on 21 or as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it to avoid busting and ultimately losing. Nonetheless, most of them are based on one of two main variants of the game: European or American. While both European and American blackjack are played by the same basic rules, it is vital that players understand the slight differences which might affect the ensuing gameplay to decide which blackjack strategies that should be applied.

American Blackjack rules differ depending upon where you are playing. While the basic rules of blackjack are the same no matter which variation you are playing, you will find that more specific rules change from casino to casino. If you are playing in Atlantic City, for instance, the game rules may be slightly different than if you are playing in Las Vegas. Therefore, it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules before you begin playing American Blackjack at a live or online casino accepting American players.

In Las Vegas you’ll find that most casinos employ Vegas Strip Blackjack rules in their American Blackjack games. Rules specific to this Vegas Blackjack variation are as follows:

• Vegas Strip Blackjack is played with 4 decks of cards
• The dealer peeks for Blackjack on 10s, Faces and Aces
• Dealer stands on soft 17
• Players may double down on any two cards
• Players may double down after splitting
• Players may split 3 times, making up to 4 hands
• Aces can be split only once
• Players can only hit once to split Aces
• 21 on a split Ace does not count as Blackjack
• Unlike 10-value cards may be split (i.e. 10-J)

Atlantic City American Blackjack is played by almost the same rules as Las Vegas Strip Blackjack, with the exception of the following rules:

• Atlantic City Blackjack is played with 8 decks of cards
• Late surrender is allowed

If you want to practice playing either of these variations you can find them for free or real money in casinos online. Americans looking to play blackjack for real money online will find that recent online gambling laws make it more difficult to find a casino that allows real money play for Americans. However, rest assured-there are American casinos online where you can play blackjack for fun or for real money. Here you can find a free practice version of American Blackjack.

Table Of Contents

• American Blackjack is a variant of the classic game of Blackjack
• It has better odds than European Blackjack

Blackjack, respectably being the most popular card game at Casinos, has plenty of variants for you to choose from.

Whether you play online or visit the brick-and-mortar Casinos, you’ll come across American Blackjack tables.

How does American Blackjack differ from other variants? Is it worth your time and money? Find out once and for all in this article.

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Before we start…

Let’s get one thing straight. Many online Casinos don't call American Blackjack tables 'American Blackjack'.

But you can find American Blackjack tables by other names, for example, Atlantic City Blackjack or Vegas Strip / Vegas Downtown / Vegas Single Hand Blackjack.

The biggest difference between American Blackjack rules and other variants is how the cards are dealt for the dealer. And all of the mentioned games are dealt the same way as American Blackjack is.

American Blackjack vs European Blackjack

In European Blackjack, the dealer gets only one card and the second one comes only after the players make their moves.

In American Blackjack, the dealer gets both cards right away: one card face up and one (hole card) face down.

Let’s be honest now.

It seems like a minor thing to consider in the game of Blackjack. You may not even notice the dealing unless you really pay attention to it.

But it makes a difference in the house edge and the rules.

American Blackjack House Edge

Many things affect the Blackjack odds. It starts with the number of decks used, blackjack (a combination of + , or aka a natural) payouts, specific rules of when the dealer stands, and more.

The card dealing also makes a difference.

When the dealer gets an Ace or 10-value card as a face-up card, they can peek at their second card to see if it makes a natural (a two-card hand of 21 points in value).

If it does, unless you have a natural blackjack, too, you lose your wager before you decide whether to hit or stand on your dealt cards.

If it doesn’t, the game goes on as usual.

However, when it comes to the European Blackjack table, the dealer wouldn’t have a card to peek at.

So, you would make your move, perhaps double down and increase your wager, just to end up losing anyway against the dealer’s natural.

This small difference - option to avoid increasing wager in case of the dealer having a natural - counts for the 0.05 percent lower house edge in American Blackjack games.

While the house edge still depends on other factors, American Blackjack tables therefore usually have only 0.31-0.35 percent edge.

How to Play American Blackjack

One thing that doesn’t change much among Blackjack games is the basic rules.

No matter which variant of Blackjack you play, your goal is to beat the dealer. You can do so by having a higher-in-value hand while not going over 21.

You start American Blackjack game by making your bets. Like with most table games, they usually start at $1.

Both you and the dealer get two cards each.

You see your hand and its value. Also, one of the dealer’s cards. Based on this information you need to make your move:

Unless you surrender, after you make your last move, you see the dealer’s hole card. Then the dealer plays out their hand.

There are three outcomes of the game:

American Blackjack Payouts

There are three types of Blackjack payouts: a natural win payout, other wins payouts, and insurance payout.

The same ones are available at American Blackjack tables, too:

• a natural (blackjack) pays 3 to 2
• insurance pays 2 to 1
• beating the dealer other way pays 1 to 1

How to Win at American Blackjack

I've written it many times before and I’ll write it many times again: following the basic strategy is the best way to play Blackjack.

European Blackjack Strategy

American Blackjack is no exception.

Whether you play American or European Blackjack, you see your cards and you see the dealer’s face-up card.

It’s enough to base your moves according to the basic strategy. Read more about the basic strategy here or download a pdf of printable basic strategy chart here.

Another thing that increases your chances of winning at Blackjack is card counting.

It’s a lot easier to learn than it sounds and you can use this card counting guide to do it like a pro.

However, card counters may find different Blackjack variants more convenient.

In American Blackjack online, the dealer uses up to eight decks of cards at the same time. In European Blackjack often only two while you can find Classic Blackjack games where only one deck of cards is used.

Games Blackjack

With fewer decks, it's easier to count cards. Especially when you’re a beginner.

Blackjack Strategy Chart

American Blackjack Games Online

Now that you know how to play American Blackjack and how to beat the dealer at the game, are you ready to play?

If so, online Casinos are heaven for American Blackjack players.

As mentioned before, don’t look for games called exactly American Blackjack.

The developers tend to give Blackjack games various names but you’ll be able to recognize Blackjack that follows American Blackjack rules from the very beginning.

Read the info section of the game or place your first bet to see how the cards are dealt.

At many online Casinos (e.g. here) you can do it completely for free.

Of course, when you play for free you can’t win real money. But it’s a great way to practice online Blackjack basic strategy or the art of card counting.

Once you’re ready to play for real money (and win real money, obviously), top up your Casino account and place real money wagers.

After all, Blackjack is the best game you can play for real money. And once you’ll start playing American Blackjack, it won’t be long until you see why.

Spoiler alert: It has everything to do with Blackjack odds.

Good luck!

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