Month: August 2018

This is one of the most peculiar or fascinating blackjack variants available.  It is extremely popular in the Southeast Asia casinos.  Chinese Blackjack is also known as Ban-Nag, Ban-Luk or 21-point. Outside of Southeast Asia, you will primarily find it online, not in land-based casinos.

Principles of Chinese Blackjack

While there is no limit to the number of players allowed, it is usually played at a table with 5-6 players.  All players are playing against a dealer.

The goal is to get as close to 21 point as possible without going over, while beating the dealer’s hand total.

It is played with only 2 decks of cards.  Cards are valued exactly the same as in standard blackjack, except for aces.  Face cards are valued at 10 and numbered cards are valued at their numeric value.

The value of an ace depends on the number of cards the player has.  If a player has two cards, the ace can count as 10 or 11.  If a player has three cards, the ace can count as 1 or 10,  If a player has four or more cards, the ace will only count as 1.

Each player is dealt two cards, face down, with the dealer being the last to receive cards.

Player Options

Here’s where the fun differences begin.  While the players have the option of hitting or standing pat, there are certain hands in Chinese Blackjack that are immediate winners.

Immediate Winning Hands:

• A Ban-Ban – Having two aces.  It is paid off at 3-1 immediately, unless the dealer also has a Ban-Ban, or an “escape hand” (discussed later). In the case of a tie like that, the player does not collect.
• A Ban-Nag – Exactly the same as a standard blackjack, an Ace and a 10-value card.  It is paid off at 2-1, unless the dealer has a Ban-Nag or Ban-Ban.
• An Escape Hand – A starting hand totaling 15.  If a player is dealt a “15,” he may opt to continuing playing the hand or he may resign the hand and get his bet back.  This also applies to the dealer.  If the dealer is dealt a 15, he can opt to continue playing or resign the hand.  If he opts to resign the hand, the hand is over and the cards are shuffled to start a new deal.
• A 5-Dragon – A player hand of 5 cards that totals 21 or less.  If the total is less than 21, the pay off is 2-1.  If the total is exactly 21, the pay off is 3-1.
• Pairs – If dealt a pair, the player is paid double his bet
• 7-7-7 – If a player is dealt two sevens and gets another one after hitting, the player is paid 21 times his original bet.

If a player busts with 5 cards, the player has to pay double his wager.

 

Dealer Plays

The more intriguing differences start here.  The dealer is the last to act on his hand, once all players have made their decisions of play.  If the dealer holds a powerful hand, the player can easily lose big.

Except for a total of 15, the dealer must hit to improve his hand, if he has 16 or less.  With 16-20, he may “reveal” a certain number of  player hands before deciding whether to hit or stand.  Basically the dealer can check if his hand already beats a player’s hand, before deciding to take one more hit.  If the dealer gets 21 without busting, the hand is done and all players lose their original bets.  If the dealer busts, all players are paid even money.

If the dealer is lucky enough to get a 5-Dragon without totaling 21, all player lose must PAY the dealer TWICE their original bet.  If the dealer hits a 5-Dragon that totals 21, all players lose and must PAY the dealer TRIPLE their original bet!  Fortunately that doesn’t happen too often, or a player could go through their bankroll very quickly!

House Edge

It should be recognizable that the house holds a clear edge over the player with this game.  Because of the possibility of having to pay the dealer triple your bet, this is truly a gambler’s game!  Sure, there is skill involved in playing Chinese Blackjack because you can use some basic strategy, but the house edge is still quite significant.

 

Final Thoughts

As you can imagine, with the unique and complex rules variations, Chinese Blackjack will challenge even the most experienced blackjack players, making it an increasingly popular online blackjack option.  I believe what makes it intriguing and popular for experienced players is that there are several winning scenarios that payout at 2:1 or better.  With standard blackjack, except for hitting a blackjack, your wins are paid out at even money. It’s another great choice if you’re bored with the standard blackjack game.

 

This is a Blackjack variant usually found in Las Vegas casinos, but more and more online. It is played basically the same as standard blackjack, with a few additional rules to make it more exciting for game players. 

Rules Variations:

• Game is usually played with 1 standard deck of cards, but may be played with up to 8 decks
• Dealer hits on soft 17s
• Player blackjacks always win
• Double allowed after splitting
• Can Re-Split Aces
• Can Split and Re-Split up to four hands
• Can Hit and Double down with split Aces
• Player can Double on as many cards as they like
• Late surrender available
• Double Down Rescue is available – Where a player surrenders half of their wager after Doubling Down
• If a player has a hand totaling 20 or less with six or more cards, they automatically win, excluding after Doubling, even if the dealer has 21
• If a player has a hand of 21 with five or more cards, they automatically win, at a payout of 2:1, excluding after Doubling
• Blackjack pays out at 1:1, instead of the usual 3:2
• Special side bet of Blackjack with both cards Diamonds, pays 2:1, can be up to 300:1 in some online games

 

Super Fun 21 Strategy

As you should imagine, basic strategy for Super Fun 21 is slightly different than for standard blackjack.  It can be found online and I suggest you definitely take a look at it and use it to ensure in bringing down the house edge as much as possible.

Should you play the game in a land-based casino, here’s a list of important rules to know for a one deck game:

• Always Double Down on a hand of nine when the dealer’s up card is a two, three, four, five, or six
• Double Down on a hand total of 10 and 11 against any dealer up card
• Surrender after Doubling Down (Double Down Rescue) with a hand total of 16 or less, if the dealer has an eight, nine,10, or Ace
• Surrender after Doubling Down with 17 if the dealer has an Ace
• Surrender shouldn’t be opted for unless the player has a hand of four cards or more

As noted above, surrender is used more strategically in this variation.  With standard blackjack, surrender is suggested very sparingly.  These tips above have been determined to be the best moves to make statistically against the dealer’s up card online. If you practice playing online, you can always have a “strategy chart” opened in another tab, to view, so you can make the perfect move.

General Online Payouts:

• Blackjack: 1:1
• Standard win: 1:1
• Insurance win: 2:1
• Diamond Blackjack: 2:1
• Five Card or more 21: 2:1
• Six card or more with a value of 20 or less: 1:1

Because the player has so many more chances to win, the payouts are tighter.  For example, since the player wins on all blackjacks, the payout for blackjack is only even money.

The best part about this variant is when there is a hand of low cards, the player has a high chance of making 21 with five cards, while a hand of high cards gives you the chance to score Blackjack – resulting in more chances to win.

Remember, allowing the dealer to hit on soft 17’s, increases the house edge greatly.  Essentially, the dealer gets a free card, because he can’t bust with a soft 17, he can basically only improve his hand.  This is how the house gets a slight advantage back, despite the seemingly many ways for the player to win.

 

Final Thoughts

Super Fun 21 is one of the wildest variations of blackjack available, thereby living up to it’s name.  There’s a lot of ways to win and that’s what makes it more fun for players.  Sometimes beginners aren’t even aware they’re playing a blackjack variant because they’re having fun winning somewhat easily. As always, remember it’s a game of chance wth a greater chance of losing if you play for long.  However, it’s another fun break from standard blackjack if you’re bored.

The game was first introduced in France. As in classic blackjack, Pontoon players are trying to obtain a score of 21 to beat the dealer.

It is played mostly online, but can also be found in land casinos on occasion.  Online or offline, you play against the dealer/banker. The Casino can use two and more card decks for the game, with the 10’s removed, like for Spanish 21. Eight decks are usually used when playing online.

The game can be played with just 2 players, but 5-8 is best.

Pontoon Blackjack is played like conventional blackjack, but the terminology and rules are slightly different.

The dealer/banker wins all tied hands, while ‘hits’ are called ‘twists’ and to Stand is called a ‘Stick’.

There are extra payouts for some hands but still very similar to classic blackjack.

 

Pontoon Blackjack Rules

Dealing in Pontoon

Before the first deal, one player is chosen at the table to be the banker (dealer). The banker does have the advantage in Pontoon, so the first banker is usually chosen by drawing for high card in the deck.  Players place their minimum and maximum bets before play.

Cards are dealt face down to each player, starting with the player who is immediately to the left of the banker. Everybody can look at their cards except the banker.

Card Values and Scoring in Pontoon

All face cards are worth ten points, while the numeric cards are their numeric value, for example the 5 of hearts is worth 5 points.  As in classic blackjack, the aces are either one or eleven.

Scoring is done by adding up the total points of your cards and not going over 21, while beating the banker’s count total.  If a player goes over 21, they bust and lose. If the player and the banker have the same amount, the banker will win and the player will lose.  There are no “ties” in Pontoon. 

Pontoon Terms

As stated earlier, some terminology is different in Pontoon, compared to classic blackjack.  For instance, “twist” is used for “hit,” and “stick” is used for “stand.”  To double the bet is called a buy, not doubling down, as in classic blackjack.

A hand consisting of an Ace and a face card (total value of 21) is called a Pontoon.

Pontoon Strategy & Differences

 

Because players have choice in Pontoon they can reduce the casino advantage to less than 0.5% by playing optimally. The complete set of optimal plays can be found online.

Not knowing any of the dealer’s cards makes the Pontoon strategy a bit more complicated than classic blackjack.

When you play online, the rules can vary. For example, in most versions of Pontoon, you can only double the stake when you buy a card. As in any blackjack game you play, be sure you know all the rules before sitting down.

Once you buy a card, the banker deals you an extra card. If your hand is still lower than 21, you can buy one more card. The same works for the fourth and the fifth card.

If you choose to buy one or two cards and twist another one after that, you cannot buy more cards even if your hand value is still under 21

If you go over 21, you bust.

In classic blackjack, you can make whatever dumb move you want, like standing on 9. But that’s not allowed in Pontoon. In Pontoon, you must twist on any hand that totals 14 points or less.

Finally, while insurance bets or surrender  are usually not allowed in Pontoon, the possibility to split pairs remains. When you have like value cards (e.g. two 9s, two face cards, two Aces), you can split them into two different hands.  It requires a new bet for the new hand, and then the gameplay continues as normal.  You play with one hand and then with the other. If the next card you get is equal in value to the first two, you can split again and play with three hands. Though highly unlikely, you could split up to four playable hands.

In some variations of Pontoon, online included, you can only split Aces.

Hand Ranking and Payouts

The best hand you can get when playing Pontoon is of course a pontoon. It’s an ace and a face card. It beats all the other hands in the game. However if the banker has a pontoon also, it’s a losing hand for the player because all ties go to the banker. There are no “ties” or “pushes” in Pontoon.  As the player, you will either win the hand or lose the hand, for sure.

Having a pontoon online pays 2 to 1. Though, it can vary depending on where you play.

The next best hand is a Five Card Trick.

If you are lucky enough to get a hand of five cards totaling 21 or less, it beats other hands of 21 made up of 3 or 4 cards. This hand also pays 2 to 1.

By default, a hand of three or four cards totaling 21 points is next best. It beats all the other hands except a Pontoon or a Five Card Trick.

If none of the above apply to the specific game, the winning hand is the one that has most points but doesn’t go over 21. And that pays 1 to 1.

Basic Pontoon Strategy

Of course there is optimal strategy for winning at Pontoon, (searchable online) however, here’s a few basic tips that will you allow you to play and learn the game and not lose your shirt!

Always stick with a total of 18 or more	Being that close, you don’t want to take the risk of busting
With a 4-card hand, twist on 17	Though a double bet is risky, going for the Five Card Trick is worth it
With a 4-card hand of less than 17, buy card (double)	You have a great chance at a Five Card Trick, which is the best when you already have more than 2 cards
Always split 2  Aces	Obviously gives you a great shot at a Pontoon

To Sum Up

Pontoon is easy to learn and interesting to play. You’ll find it mostly on the internet and outside the U.S.

Compared to classic blackjack, it will seem quite odd, but the differences are what makes it a challenge and worth finding a casino to try it at least once.  If you’ve gotten bored with classic blackjack, try Pontoon.

This is one of the more popular variants of blackjack.  The reason why is because it’s still possible to gain the edge over the house when you play, if played properly.

 

PLAYING RULES

The reason it’s called Spanish 21 is that a 48-card “Spanish deck” is used. A Spanish deck has the 4 10’s removed, leaving 48 cards.

Remember, 10’s are considered player friendly in regular blackjack.  Without 10’s in the deck, the house edge raises by almost 2 percent.

To compensate for the absence of 10’s, the rules for Spanish 21 are much more liberal than the regular game of blackjack.

For example, if you get 21, (hitting to 21 as opposed to being dealt a blackjack) you always win even if the dealer has 21. Within a traditional blackjack game, if you hit to 21, you would “push” if the dealer ends up with 21 as well. Winning hands of 5,6 or 7 cards will pay a bonus.  You’re allowed to surrender at anytime, even after hitting, doubling or pair splitting.

The table below summarizes the typical Spanish 21 playing rules compared to the traditional game of blackjack.

 

Traditional Blackjack vs. Spanish 21 Blackjack
	Blackjack	Spanish 21
Number of Decks	1,2,4,6,8	6 or 8
Dealer Soft 17 Rule	May Hit or Stand	May Hit or Stand
Blackjack Payoff	3-2 or 6-5	3-2
Player Blackjack (2 cards)	Always pushes when Dealer has blackjack	Always wins, even if Dealer has blackjack
Player 21 (3+ cards)	Always pushes when Dealer has 21	Always wins, even if Dealer has 21
Doubling Down	Only after initial 2 cards	Can double on any number of cards
Doubling After Splitting	Usually allowed	Always allowed
Resplitting Pairs	Usually up to 3 or 4 hands, except Aces	Up to 4 hands, including Aces
Late Surrender	Sometimes allowed	Always allowed, even after doubling, splitting and hitting
Insurance	Pays 2-1	Pays 2-1*
		*Considered one of the worst bets in a casino because of the increased house edge

(Note: There may be some slight differences in rules from one casino to another.)

 

BONUS HANDS

Spanish 21 often pays a bonus for 5, 6, and 7 card hands that total 21, as well as, 6-7-8 and 7-7-7 hands. The payoffs for these bonus hands vary but they are all greater than even money.

EFFECT OF THE MISSING TENS

You can probably understand the thrill in Spanish 21 because of all the different rules and bonus hands that are offered. However, beware, missing those 4 10’s does make a big difference in how the game works out. If you were to play with the same strategies of traditional blackjack, you’d lose your money before your seat was warm!

Why? Because the ratio of low cards to high cards in Spanish 21 will obviously be different from that of traditional blackjack.  In a 52 card deck, 4 out of 12 cards (30.8 percent) are 10-value. In Spanish 21, it is cut down to 3 out of 12 cards or 25 percent are 10-value.

The key point is that these major differences in rules should have a great effect on the playing strategy, meaning it is a bit more complicated.  You know the house doesn’t want to make things too easy for you!

Here’s a solid example: If you have a stiff 12 – 16 in traditional blackjack and the dealer shows a 2–6, you would stand (except you would hit 12 against dealer’s 2 and 3). With Spanish 21, hitting becomes more inviting because you have less chance of busting because of fewer 10-value cards. Plus, if you hit to 21, you automatically win.

Accordingly, some of the traditional “stand on stiffs” becomes “hits” in Spanish 21. When your stiff hand contains 4,5, or 6 cards, traditional strategy tells you to stand (or double) regardless of the number of cards in your hand, in Spanish 21, considering the bonus payouts, the number of cards in your hand can influence how you would play a hand.

Yes the strategy is more complicated, but it can be mastered with study and practice. There are several sources available for accurate Spanish 21 strategy.  Here’s a couple to checkout: The Big Book of Blackjack by Arnold Snyder and The Pro’s Guide to Spanish 21 and Australian Pontoon by Katrina Walker.

HOUSE EDGE

For a 6-deck, S17 game, the house edge (as a percentage of initial wager) using the Spanish 21 basic playing strategy (U.S. standard rules) is only 0.37 percent (from Katrina Walker’s book).  For a 6-deck, H17 game, the house edge becomes .78 percent. As you can see, the game with S17 is much more player friendly than one with H17; however, to achieve these low house edges, you must learn the Spanish 21 basic playing strategy.

REDOUBLE OPTION

The redouble option is available in some land-based casinos.  This player-friendly option allows a player to double down again after doubling and getting a card. For example, if you were to double down with a 7-2 and drew a 2 for an 11, you could double down again.

With redoubling allowed, the house edge decreases slightly (For example, from 0.78% in H17, six-deck game to 0.42%). Yes it’s great that the house edge goes down, but also remember that having to learn the correct strategy for this redouble option makes the basic playing strategy for Spanish 21 even more difficult.us

Conclusion

Because Spanish 21 offers the player plenty  of options, it provides a sense of excitement not found in traditional blackjack.  Therefore, more and more players are flocking to Spanish 21 for the thrill of a new challenge. Almost all casinos are offering it now, with tables full of players looking for a more exciting game of blackjack.