No Bust 21 Blackjack Variation

October 31, 2011 | Article Category: Blackjack

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There are many blackjack variations, and one of the more interesting ones is the No Bust 21 variation. Those purist blackjack players who like to play only the standard blackjack rules will not like this form of blackjack, however, those who like to step outside of the box may well enjoy this blackjack variation.

The deck of cards used totals 54 cards, made up of the standard 52-card deck and two jokers. The basic game play is the same as in regular blackjack and regular online blackjack games, where players need to hit or stand, and can split or double.

Differences include the way that the game is affected by the jokers and the fact that you do not lose the game automatically when you go bust. The highest ranking hand is made up of two jokers. While a hand totaling 21 points is important in this game, the combination of an Ace and a card with the value of 10 is not any better than any hand that totals 21. When a hand is dealt one joker and any other card, the hand is considered to have a value of 21, and no other cards need to be dealt to the hand. The bet pushes when both the dealer and the player are dealt natural hands.

As in European blackjack, the dealer does not look at the hold card at the beginning of the game. The dealer has to hit on a soft 17. As long as the dealer is not showing a joker, the player may surrender a two-card hand if they wish to do so. When the dealer shows a joker, the player stands.

The reason for the name No Bust 21 is the following rule: Even if the player busts, they do not automatically lose the hand. The dealer has to play out the dealer hand according to the regular dealer rules. If the dealer also busts, the hand that is the closest to 21 points wins.

As far as blackjack variants go, No Bust 21 Blackjack has a higher house edge than other variants. Although there are positives, such as the 2 to 1 payout for those who are dealt a natural, there is no special payout of 3 to 2 for having a blackjack. Another negative as far as the player is concerned is that the player has to stand when the dealer shows a joker on the face up card, resulting in a house edge of about 1.8%. Regular Vegas Strip blackjack carries a house edge of 0.5%, which is significantly lower. The game No Bust 21 Blackjack still offers a decent house edge when it is compared to other online casino games.