European Blackjack
Betsoft have created six blackjack games so far. All of their tables are visually striking with a couple of options when it comes to customization. European Blackjack has a very low house edge (0.66%) and is one of the most entertaining and popular types of 21 on the online casino arena in Canada. It is played with 6 decks and features a standard 3:2 blackjack payout. It has no fringe rules that would deteriorate player’s edge, like “Blackjack Pays 1 to 1”; everything is classic and streamlined.
Table bets range between C$1 and C$100 (or in other currency, like bitcoin, if the casino accepts it). Of course, there are habitual decision buttons under the table to let players make a decision (Hit, Stand, Double, etc.). European Blackjack from Betsoft does not look dated at all – it features good animations, fast text prompts, play speed adjustment and a detailed guide to rules and real money payouts.
This is a multi-hand online blackjack version as a player is entitled to place chips on up to three bet areas on the table and get dealt three hands simultaneously. A player’s objective is to get as closer to 21 as possible and beat the dealer. The value of cards is standard and requires no further explanation. Actions when to hit or stand are explained in the Rules section that reveals the basic strategy for this European Blackjack. Doubling down is an option on 9 through 11 hands (hard totals only). There is only one split allowed on any same-valued cards and a player can also double after split.
A dramatic difference between European Blackjack and other classic online variations of that game is that the dealer does not check for blackjack on the initial hand. This means the game continues as normal even if the dealer’s dark card, combined with an open ace, would later result in blackjack. The “no peek” rule leads to a greater house advantage because the player can spend more chips before the ultimate blackjack will be announced. However, the resulting player edge (99.34%) is fairly palatable (if playing flawlessly). Besides, the reviewed game offers to buy insurance in case that the dealer shows an ace as an up card. Insurance is optional and is equal to half the original bet.