Face Up 21
Face Up 21 is an interesting variation of blackjack with some unique rules. It is simple to learn how to play the game (it is based on the game of European blackjack, as you can read below) but it is important to understand its peculiarities to be clear on the rules and the strategy you should use to play. If you are looking for a blackjack game with a twist, Face Up 21 is an enjoyable option to try. You can enjoy Face Up 21 at Casino Midas for New Zealand players.
The Aim of the Game
As in blackjack , the aim of the game of Face Up 21 is to achieve a hand value total that is closer to 21 than the dealer without going over (going bust). Each card in the deck has a value and these are added together to create your total hand value. Cards two through ten have their face value, face cards have a value of ten and Ace has a value of one or eleven, depending on the total value of the hand.
Face Up 21 vs. European Blackjack
The major difference in Face Up 21 compared to European blackjack is that in Face Up 21, once you have been dealt two cards face up, the dealer will also be dealt two cards face up. In other words, there is no hole card and you are able to see both of the dealer’s cards from the beginning of the game.
The house rules of the game state that the dealer must stand on any hard 17 and any soft 18. The dealer must hit on a hard 16 and on a soft 17. If the dealer is forced to stand on his first two cards, because you can see what those cards are before you play your hand, your hand will automatically be played for you. Your hand will hit until you either beat the dealer or you go bust. This is because you know exactly what hand value the dealer has and need to play to end the game – either by achieving a hand value higher than the dealer’s hand or by going bust.
Blackjack pays out even money and the dealer wins all ties.
As in European blackjack, you are only given the option to double down on your first two cards when their combined value is 9, 10 or 11.
How to play Face Up 21?
To begin a game of Face Up 21 you need to choose your bet size and place your bet (in case you were wondering about the consequences of betting while playing this game for free: if you are playing in "fun mode" the money of your bet is taken from your "fun balance"!). You will be dealt two cards face up and the dealer will be dealt two cards face up. If the dealer is required to stand on his first two cards, your hand will play automatically – hitting until you either win or go bust. If the dealer is not required to stand, the player will play first. There are a number of actions you can take:
- Hit – receive one more card. You can continue to hit until you choose to stand or you go bust.
- Stand – receive no more cards and end your turn.
- Split – if your first two cards have the same value, you can split your hand into two separate hands with separate bets. You can hit as many times as you want on each hand, unless the split was made on Aces, in which case you can only hit once per hand.
- Double down – available when your first two cards total 9, 10 or 11. You double your bet and receive one more card to end your turn.
How to win?
There are two ways you can win a game of Face Up 21. You win if your hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand or if your hand total is under 21 while the dealer’s hand total goes over 21. You win even money. Blackjack also pays out even money. If there is a tie, the dealer wins.
