21 Duel Blackjack – Learn the Rules and Try the Demo
Playtech are famous for their top quality software and intuitive games but also for their innovative game variations. Not only do they offer eye-pleasing classic blackjacks but they come up with the coolest variants. Whether you like side bets or unusual rules, they have got what you’re looking for. There are many interesting variations but the one that stands out the most must be 21 Duel Blackjack.
- Interesting Rules
- A Side Bet
- Unique Variation
- Licensed by:
- UK Gambling Commission
- #1611
- Accepted Payment Methods:
- Debit Card
- Paypal
- Skrill
- Neteller
- Paysafecard
If most blackjack variants tend to look more or less the same when the game loads, this particular one will surprise you, if not shock you at first glance. You might have played blackjack for years, you might even be an expert but, as soon as you take one look at this layout, you’ll be looking for the game rules. That’s where we come in. We’ll guide you through the peculiarities of the variant and give you a feel of the game in demo mode.
How to Play 21 Duel Blackjack – Test for Free
21 Duel Blackjack is played with 6 decks of cards. You can play it in single- or multi-hand mode. When the game starts, you’ll need to place a bet in the ‘ANTE’ betting area. Be aware, though, that the same amount of bet will be placed at a later point in the game, so select your chips according to your bankroll. Then, you’ll be dealt two cards – one face-up, the other face-down – and two more cards, both face-up, will be placed in the middle of the table. These are the communal cards, you and the dealer will be both using. Now that you know what one of your cards is, you can either ‘fold’, in which case you’ll lose your ante, or choose either the left or the right communal card. At that point, you’ll have two cards – based on their total you may decide to either stand or hit. Once you do that, the dealer reveals one card and picks a communal card according to very strict rules. The points are added up and the winner is announced.
Since this variant is quite different from the classic blackjack, you shouldn’t expect options such as double, split, re-split, and insurance. You should also be aware that all hands with a total of 21 are equal, that is an ace and a face card is no better than a 21 made up of three cards. Also, if the dealer’s hand is worth less than 13, you will win even if your hand totals lower than the dealer’s. If you’re wondering about how the dealer chooses their communal card, there is a table in the game rules.
The 2 UP Side Bet and RTP
As if the curious rules aren’t enough, the variation features a fun side bet. It’s called 2 Up and can be played by placing a bet in the corresponding betting area at the start of the game, right after you place your ante chips. In order to win, you’ll need your first face-up card and the two communal cards to form a pair or three of a kind. In the first case, you’ll win 3 to 1 on your bet and in the second case – 20 to 1. Considering the odd rules of this game and the side bet, it has a rather good theoretical RTP of 98,38% on the main game and 93,47% on the 2 Up side bet. Try minimising the house edge by using our special strategy chart below.
Strategy Chart
Since nothing about this variation is predictable, the strategy chart we have prepared for you is also kind of odd-looking. In the ‘how to play’ paragraph, we explained that you’ll be expected to make decisions in a few steps when you’re playing this game. That’s why the 21 Duel Blackjack strategy chart is divided into three steps.
Though it seems like this game gives you more freedom to know what your hand will look like in the end and more control over improving it, it is still a good idea to look carefully through the strategy chart and refer to it when needed. Also, never forget that in order to be able to successfully play through a round, you will need to be able to back up your ante. If you don’t have enough money, the software will warn you but imagine you do have enough money but would rather not bet it all on one hand, so be mindful of that.
Play 21 Duel Blackjack for Real Money
No matter if you are bored with traditional blackjack or are curious to try out something new, I’m sure you’ve enjoyed this Playtech variation and are now eager to play it in real money mode. The better control over your hand and the favourable rules for how the dealer should act make it a great choice when you’d like to increase your bankroll. Of course, choosing the right casino is just as important. That’s why we strongly recommend Ladbrokes Casino.