How to Play Super Fun 21
Super Fun 21 is a noteworthy blackjack variant that offers a heightened entertainment experience. It is often confused with Super Fun 21 Extreme, which is a different game based on Spanish 21. Super Fun 21 gameplay is similar to traditional blackjack except that cards are dealt face up to players, there are more player-friendly rules, and an increased payout for a natural hand consisting of suited diamonds.
If you are looking to expand your blackjack gaming portfolio, this article explains how to play Super Fun 21.
What is Super Fun 21?
Super Fun 21 is a version of blackjack played with one, two, or six card decks to form a 21-card hand or as close as possible to beat the dealer. The objective remains the same as in classic blackjack, but players and dealers must follow specific rules.
Super Fun 21 Rules
For clarity, we will highlight the Super Fun 21 rules that apply to players and dealers.
Players Rules
- Players are allowed to double down after a split.
- Players can split a hand up to 4 times.
- Players are permitted to resplit up to four hands.
- Hitting and doubling down to split aces is allowed.
- Players can double down on any given number of cards.
- Late surrender is allowed on any number of cards.
- To mitigate losses, players can forfeit half of their total wager after doubling.
- Having a hand total of 20 or less with six or more cards without doubling down is an automatic win.
- A natural hand in diamonds pays 2:1.
- Players can surrender after splitting.
- A player's blackjack hand wins every time. No tie!
- Going over a hand total of 21 results in a bust and wager loss.
Dealer Rules
- A dealer must hit on soft 17
- The dealer must stand on a Hard 17
Note: Super Fun 21 rules vary by casino. Therefore, always check the rules that apply before playing.
How to Play Super Fun 21: Gameplay Steps
Follow these steps to play Super Fun 21 at any casino that offers the game:
Place Your Bet
To establish your interest in playing Super Fun 21, place bets using chips proportional to the amount you intend to wager on the betting table. If having a Suited Diamond Blackjack is indicated by the casino as a side wager, place it alongside your main bet.
Receive Your Cards
The dealer at your table will give each player two cards (face-up) and take two cards (one upcard and one face-down).
Check Your Cards for a Natural Hand
Check your cards to see if you have a hand total of 21, which is a natural blackjack (an Ace plus a 10).
Take Action
If you don't have a natural hand, proceed to take an action:
- Hit: Take another card.
- Stand: Hold onto your current hand total and end your turn.
- Double Down: Raise your bet by 2x, and unlike regular blackjack, you can do so on any number of cards. Also, remember you can hit after you double down.
- Split: Split two cards of identical value, e.g., 8s, aces. You can do this up to 4 times.
- Late Surrender: At any point during the game, if you don't like your hand, you can surrender even after hitting or doubling and get half your bet back.
Calculate Your Hand Total
As you play, keep an eye on your hand total. You win if:
- You have 6 cards totaling 20 or less
- You have 5 cards forming a hand total of 21
- If you form 21 with any number of cards
Super Fun 21 Payouts and House Edge
In Super Fun 21:
- A hand total of 21, consisting of 6 cards, pays even money (1:1)
- A hand total of 21 formed using 5 cards pays 2:1
- A natural blackjack hand (Suited Diamond) pays 2:1 (unless you doubled down)
- Blackjack formed with any other number of cards pays 1:1
Commonly, Super Fun 21 is played using a single deck, and the house edge in this case is 1.16%. When two card decks are used, the house advantage is 1.30%. And in less common cases where six decks are used, the house edge increases to 1.40%.
Super Fun 21 Strategy
Below are the Super Fun 21 playing strategies when using a single deck:
When to Hit and Stand
| Your Hand | Dealer Upcard | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 8 | Any Card | Hit |
| 12 | 4, 5, 6 | Stand |
| 12 | 2, 3, and 7-Ace | Hit |
| 13-16 | 2 through 6 | Stand |
| 13-16 | 7-Ace | Hit |
| 17 or higher | Any card | Stand |
| Soft 17 or less | Any card | Hit |
| Soft 18 | 9, 10, Ace | Hit |
| Any 5-card hand | Any card | Hit (unless total is 17-21) |
Surrender in the following cases
- If you have a hard 15 and the dealer shows an Ace.
- If you have a hard 16 and the dealer shows a 9, 10, or Ace.
- If you have a Pair of 7s and the dealer shows a 10 or an Ace.
- If you double down and your total is 12-16, and the dealer shows 8, 9, 10, or an Ace, surrender.
Remember: Late surrender is allowed.
Split the following cards
- Aces
- 7s, 3s, and 2s if the dealer shows 2-7.
- 4s if the dealer shows 5 or 6.
- 6s if the dealer reveals 2 through 6.
- 9s if the dealer shows 2 through 9 (except 7-stand on 9s vs 7).
- Never Split: 5s or 10-value cards.
Double Down on
- Hard 9 if the dealer shows 3-6.
- Hard 10 if the dealer shows 2-9.
- Hard 11 if the dealer shows 2 through 10.
- Soft 13-18 if the dealer shows 4, 5, or 6.
Super Fun 21 strategy differs slightly with respect to the number of card decks used. Also, it isn't the same as basic blackjack strategy because of its rules.
Final Thoughts
Super Fun 21 retains all that is loved about the classic blackjack, but it introduces twists to its rules that are player-friendly. The 2:1 payout for a Suited Diamond natural hand and a 5-card 21 hand further makes it enticing to play. However, ensure you play following the strategies above and manage your bankroll.
FAQs
Is Super Fun 21 the same as Super Fun 21 Extreme?
No, Super Fun 21 is based on standard blackjack, while Super Fun 21 Extreme is based on Spanish 21.
Is Super Fun 21 better than Blackjack?
No. Its rules are slightly different, but not better than those of traditional blackjack.
Is the house edge of Super Fun 21 lower than that of Blackjack?
Super Fun 21's house edge is 1.16% when played with a single-deck deck, which is high when compared to the 0.5% of traditional blackjack.