American Blackjack

Ever wondered what makes American Blackjack such a crowd-pleaser at online casinos? Well, it's not just the slick gameplay or the potential payouts; there's something about the classic dealer peek and those distinctive rules that keep players coming back for more.

If you're looking to try your hand at one of the most popular blackjack games, you've landed in the right place.

Game Specs

• RTP: 99.64%
• Decks: 6
• Blackjack Payout: 3:2
• Min Bet: €1
• Dealer Peek: Yes (on Ace/10)
• Surrender: Not available

American Blackjack Overview

American Blackjack sits at the top table of casino card games for good reason. It's fast-paced, packed with decision points, and gives you that sweet fun when you beat the dealer to 21.

At PokerStars Casino, the American version comes with all the bells and whistles you'd expect: crisp graphics, smooth gameplay, and bet sizes to suit everyone from cautious newbies to high rollers.

The game uses six standard 52-card decks shuffled together, which might seem like overkill, but actually creates a more balanced experience.

What really sets this variant apart, though, is how the dealer handles their cards: they'll peek at that hole card right away if they're showing an ace or ten-value card. That small detail changes everything about how you approach your hand.

What is American Blackjack?

So what exactly makes American Blackjack... well, American? It all comes down to specific rules that separate it from European Blackjack.

In this version, the dealer gets two cards right off the bat: one face up (the upcard) and one face down (the hole card). If the dealer shows an ace or a ten-value card, they'll immediately check that hole card for blackjack before you make any decisions.

This early peek might seem like a small thing, but it actually works in your favor. Think about it: if the dealer has blackjack, you know right away. No wasting money on splits or doubles that would just get swallowed up.

In European Blackjack, you might dump extra chips into a hand that was doomed from the start.

The objective remains classic blackjack, so you want to get closer to 21 than the dealer without going bust. But with American rules, dealers stand on soft 17 (that's any 17 containing an ace counted as 11), and you'll get paid at 3:2 odds for hitting blackjack.

American Blackjack vs European Blackjack

The differences between these two popular variants go beyond just where they're played. Here's what you need to know.

American Blackjack deals the dealer two cards immediately, while classic blackjack gives just one card until all players have finished their hands. The early dealer peek in American means you won't waste chips on additional bets when the dealer has a natural blackjack.

In the PokerStars Casino version, American Blackjack uses six decks, which slightly increases the house edge compared to variants with fewer decks. European versions typically use fewer decks, sometimes just two.

The splitting rules are more generous in American, since you can split up to three times (except with aces), creating three separate hands. European versions usually limit you more severely.

Another major difference? In American Blackjack, if you're dealt blackjack and the dealer shows an ace, you can take "even money," a special type of insurance that pays 1:1 regardless of whether the dealer has blackjack or not.

American Blackjack House Edge and Payouts

The theoretical return to player (RTP) for American Blackjack at PokerStars Casino stands at 99.64%. That's quite competitive compared to most casino games. But what does this actually mean? Simply put, for every 100 you wager, you should theoretically get back 99.64 over the long term.

The standard 3:2 payout for blackjack is what you want to see. Some casinos try to sneak in 6:5 or even 1:1 payouts, which drastically increase the house edge. At PokerStars, we keep it player-friendly with the classic 3:2 ratio.

Insurance bets pay 2:1 when the dealer has blackjack, but here's the thing: they're generally considered a poor choice with a higher house edge.

How to Play American Blackjack

Getting started with American Blackjack couldn't be simpler. The minimum bet at PokerStars Casino is 1, making it accessible to virtually every player on our platform.

Here's a quick rundown of how a hand plays out:

First, you place your bet. Then both you and the dealer receive cards; you get two face up, while the dealer gets one face up and one face down.

If the dealer shows an ace or ten-value card, they'll check for blackjack right away. If they have it, the hand ends immediately unless you also have blackjack (resulting in a push or tie).

If the dealer doesn't have blackjack, or isn't showing an ace or ten-value card, you make your decisions: hit, stand, double down, or split.

You can double down on any two-card hand, which means doubling your bet and receiving exactly one more card.

Splitting is available when you have two cards of equal value. You can split up to twice, creating three total hands, except with aces. Split aces receive only one additional card each.

When you've completed your hand, the dealer reveals their hole card and draws additional cards according to fixed rules: they'll hit until they reach 17 or higher, including soft 17.

One thing to remember is that unlike some blackjack variants, American Blackjack at PokerStars doesn't allow surrender. But you do have the insurance option if the dealer shows an ace. This is a side bet that pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack.

Play American Blackjack Online on PokerStars Casino

Playing American Blackjack on PokerStars Casino gives you all the excitement of the casino floor without having to dress up to go to the casino. The interface is intuitive, the graphics are sharp, and the gameplay is smooth as silk.

What's more, you can play at your own pace without feeling the pressure of other players or a dealer rushing you along. Take your time, think through your decisions, and enjoy the game the way it's meant to be played.

American Blackjack FAQs

Which is better, European or American blackjack?

It really depends on what you're after. American Blackjack tends to be more straightforward since the dealer checks for blackjack immediately. This means you won't waste chips on doubles or splits when the dealer has a natural 21.

European Blackjack typically uses fewer decks, which can slightly lower the house edge. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference: American for transparency, European for potentially better odds in specific situations.

Is blackjack a skill or chance?

It's definitely both. The cards you're dealt come down to chance, no doubt about it. But what do you do with those cards? That's all skill. Using basic blackjack strategy, you can play with the lowest house edge. That said, no amount of skill can overcome the mathematical advantage the casino has in this game.

Can I split aces in American Blackjack?

Yes, but with restrictions. You can split aces once, and each split ace receives only one additional card. You cannot re-split aces or double down after splitting them.

What is insurance in American Blackjack?

Insurance is a side bet offered when the dealer shows an ace. It pays 2:1 if the dealer has blackjack. However, most strategy guides recommend against taking insurance as it increases the house edge. The one exception is "even money" when you have blackjack and the dealer shows an ace.

How many times can I split in American Blackjack?

You can split up to three times (except with aces), creating up to four separate hands from one original hand. This is one of the more generous rules in American Blackjack compared to European variants.