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Basic Strategy for European Blackjack - charts

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The following basic strategy table is appropriate for European blackjack, at least the variation I saw played in Berlin and Hamburg, and specifically excepting the United Kingdom. The specific rules are as follows:

  • Six decks (this chart is also accurate for 4 or 8 decks)
  • Dealer stands on soft 17
  • Player may only double on hard totals of 9-11
  • Player may double after a split
  • No-peek (player loses total bet, including after doubling or splitting, if dealer has blackjack)

The house edge under this rules is 0.62%.

To use the basic strategy look up your hand along the left vertical edge and the dealer's up card along the top. In both cases an A stands for ace. From top to bottom are the hard totals, soft totals, and splittable hands.

United Kingdom Blackjack

Prior to September 1, 2007, splitting fours, fives, and tens was not allowed. This only affected the basic strategy player with fours, increasing the house edge by 0.003%. I have heard that with the new law allowing all splits, doubling on any first two cards is also permitted, at least at the Grosvenor casinos. Following is the basic strategy for post 9/1/07 U.K. rules.

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A list of blackjack games found online by major software providers of Internet casinos with the house edge of each.

House Edge Game review Play Decks Soft 17 Double After Split Peek Surrender
0% Concept Gaming(Jackpot Blackjack) Niyvi Casino 6 Stand No No Yes
0.01% Concept Gaming(7 Handed European Blackjack) Niyvi Casino 6 Stand No No No
0.11% Ezugi(Blackjack) Niyvi Casino 8 Stand Yes Yes Yes
0.14% Playtech(Blackjack Switch) EmuCasino 6 Hit Yes No No
0.15% Espresso Games(Single Deck Blackjack) Niyvi Casino 1 Stand No Yes No

Early Surrender

If you should find a table that allows early surrender then take it with any of the following hands. I have heard rumors such games exist in Russia, and I know they do in Macau, except against a dealer ace.

  • 12 to 17 vs. ace, including a pair of 6's, 7's or 8's
  • 5 to 7 vs. ace, including a pair of 3's
  • 14 to 16 vs 10, including pair of 7's or 8's
  • 16 vs 9

House Edge Game review Play Decks Soft 17 Double After Split Peek Surrender
0% Concept Gaming(Jackpot Blackjack) Niyvi Casino 6 Stand No No Yes
0.01% Concept Gaming(7 Handed European Blackjack) Niyvi Casino 6 Stand No No No
0.11% Ezugi(Blackjack) Niyvi Casino 8 Stand Yes Yes Yes
0.35% Ezugi(Unlimited) Niyvi Casino 8 Stand Yes No No
0.40% Concept Gaming(Single Hand) Niyvi Casino 3 Stand No Yes Yes
0.43% BetConstruct(Blackjack) House of Spins Casino 1 Stand Yes Yes Yes
0.45% Evolution Gaming(Infinite Blackjack (with six-card Charlie)) Niyvi Casino 8 Stand No Yes No
0.46% Spearhead Studios(Blackjack) Niyvi Casino 6 Stand Yes Yes No
0.49% LuckyStreak(Blackjack) SirWin Casino 8 Stand Yes Yes No
0.49% Concept Gaming(Ultimate American 5 Handed Blackjack) Niyvi Casino 6 Stand No Yes Yes
0.49% Concept Gaming(7 Handed American Blackjack) Niyvi Casino 6 Stand No Yes Yes
0.49% Concept Gaming(5 Hand Vegas) Niyvi Casino 6 Stand Yes Yes Yes
0.50% Playtech(Unlimited Blackjack (Live Dealer)) EmuCasino 8 Stand Yes No No
0.50% Vivo Gaming(Blackjack) Niyvi Casino 8 Stand Yes Yes No
0.51% Concept Gaming(Ultimate Blackjack II) Niyvi Casino 6 Stand No Yes Yes
0.54% Xprogaming(Blackjack) Niyvi Casino 6 Hit Yes No No
0.59% Net Entertainment(Common Draw Blackjack (Live Dealer)) Niyvi Casino 6 Stand Yes No No
0.59% Net Entertainment(Live Beyond Live Blackjack) Niyvi Casino 6 Stand Yes No No
0.62% Asia Gaming(Blackjack) Wagerinox Casino 8 Stand No Yes No
0.62% Fresh Deck Studios(Blackjack) Bitspin365 8 Stand No Yes No
0.69% Visionary iGaming(Blackjack) Casino Extreme 6 Hit Yes Yes No
0.69% Visionary iGaming(Early Payout) Casino Extreme 1 Hit Yes Yes No
0.69% Concept Gaming(Multi Hand) Niyvi Casino 6 Stand No No No
0.72% Evolution Gaming(Live Dealer Blackjack) Niyvi Casino 8 Stand No No No