American Blackjack: Rules, Strategy & Key Differences

Blackjack is a popular casino game with a low house edge that gives players one of the best chances at winning. The game can differ a bit, however, depending on where you play.

American blackjack is one of these versions and has its own distinctive differences and nuances compared to other versions of the game. Because of the size of the country and large gaming environment in the U.S., including live casino and online gaming options, players can find plenty of games available and these may vary a bit in regards to rules.

The game may also be found on other platforms and casinos outside the U.S. as well. Keep reading to learn all about American blackjack including rules, strategies, and unique features.

What is American Blackjack?

American blackjack is the popular variant of the game found in U.S. casinos. Unlike the European version, players may often find multiple decks in use, rather than so,py using two decks as found in the European variant.

Players will find other rules differences, such as the dealer hitting soft 17 (unlike in European blackjack) and 6 to 5 payouts on blackjack, rather than the traditional 3 to 2. There are several other rule variations as well, but the overall game remains much the same.

Basic Rules of American Blackjack

Despite some slight variations and rule differences between American blackjack and European blackjack, most of the game’s gameplay and mechanics are the same. Players are initially dealt two cards face up and the dealer also receives two cards with only one of those face up.

The goal is to get as close to 21 without busting while also beating the dealer’s hand. Here’s a look at how at the options available to players:

Hitting – Taking another card tio improve the hand.
Standing – Not taking any more cards and passing to the next player.
Doubling down – Adding a second bet on a hand before acting on hand. Players can hit the hand as needed.
Splitting – Breaking a hand with the same two cards, such as A-A, into two separate hands with an additional wager. Players then receive a second card on each and can act on the hand as needed.
Surrender – The opportunity to give up a hand and receiving half the bet returned.

The dealer will check the bottom card for blackjack if the upcard is an ace. Players have the chance to take the insurance bet in these circumstances, which pays 2 to 1. This bet isn’t available in the European version, where dealers don;t deal themselves a hole card.

Key Differences Between American and European Blackjack

Those considering playing American blackjack may want to consider the differences from the European version. Here’s a quick look at some of those key differences.

	American blackjack	European blackjack
Dealing	Dealer deals a hole card and peeks for blackjack, so insurance betting is allowed.	No hole card for the dealers. No peeking for blackjack, therefore no insurance betting allowed.
Number of decks	Up to eight	Two
Blackjack payouts	6 to 5 or 3 to 2	3 to 2
Soft 17	Dealer can hit, depending on house rules	Dealer stands.
Doubling down	Allowed on multiple hand combinations.	Only allowed on 9, 10, or 11.
Splitting	May be allowed multiple times, but splitting aces is often allowed only once.	Allowed only once.
Surrender	May vary by casino.	No surrendering if the dealer has an ace.

The differing rules may require some strategy adjustments, depending on the game and rules. These rules can affect the odds of the game and using the correct blackjack basic strategy chart is an imperative.

American Blackjack Strategies for Better Odds

Basic strategy gives players the best chance to win and offers the ideal mathematical play based on the dealer’s upcard. Using a blackjack strategy chart can help in this effort. You’ll find the appropriate moves on every hand when it comes to hitting, standing, splitting, and doubling down.

For example, a player dealt a total of 10 will want to double down against 2 through 9 while simply hitting against a 10 or ace. The dealer’s upcard is key in determining which play to make. Here’s a look at an example of a basic strategy chart for American blackjack.

*** Insert strategy chart like this one.

Pros and Cons of Playing American Blackjack

As with any casino game, there are some pros and cons to playing the game. Here’s a quick look at a few of those.

American blackjack – advantages

Quicker gameplay because there is less time spent shuffling.
Additional player options such as when doubling down or splitting.
Game still has a low house edge.

American blackjack – disadvantages

6 to 5 payouts on blackjack in many casinos.
Dealer often hits on soft 17, increasing the house edge.
Rules can vary a bit by casino.
May have a higher house edge than other variations.

Conclusion

American blackjack can be a great game for players, with a low house edge and some betting options not found in the European game, such as the ability to double on more hands than just 9, 10, or 11. There are also a few drawbacks, such as 6 to 5 payouts on blackjack in many instances, but in general American blackjack is still a great game with a low house advantage compared to many other casino games.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is American blackjack, and how does it differ from other versions?

This is the version found in casinos and online in the U.S. The game features more betting options, but also some negative aspects such as often paying out only 6 to 5 on blackjacks rather than the 3 to 2 found on the European version.

Why does the dealer take a hole card in American blackjack?

This offers the opportunity for an insurance bet for players as the dealer peeks at the hole card to see if there is a blackjack. The European game doesn;t have the dealer deal himself a hole card, instead adding a second and more cards after all players have acted.

What is the best strategy for playing American blackjack?

Make use of a blackjack strategy chart for the best mathematical play based on the dealer’s upcard. Check out the chart on this page to practice basic strategy.

Are the odds different in American blackjack compared to European blackjack?

European blackjack has slightly better odds. American blackjack with some of the most favorable odds and when using basic strategy has a house edge of 0.61% while European blackjack has a casino edge of 0.39%.