Blackjack is one of the most popular genres at our Juicy Stakes Casino. It is a low edge gambling category defined by quick game rounds. Once you have mastered the respective strategies, it is easy to exploit juicy payout rates. Find our pick of the ‘21’ blackjacks here.
Find Multiple Variants of Online Blackjack at Juicy Stakes Casino
Blackjack, along with roulette and baccarat, is the traditional mainstay of any casino. It dates back to the beginning of the 18th Century when it was the game of choice in opulent French gaming halls. Over time, the classic version of the game has morphed into several, equally enticing blackjack variants.
Login to Juicy Stakes and you are engulfed by a burgeoning bouquet of online blackjack games. Some are listed under the World Match tab. Others are catalogued as part of the versatile selection of Tangente table games.
In this conversation, we are focussing on two Tangente developed online casino games – Blackjack 21 and Face Up 21. The former is classic blackjack. The latter mirrors the classic game but with one fundamental difference – and that involves the deal.
If you have played Blackjack 21 at Stakes Casino, you will know the dealer gets one up card and one hole card. The player’s two cards are dealt face up. As you have probably guessed, that all changes in Face Up 21. In this high hit rate version of online blackjack, both the dealer’s cards are exposed.
For that very reason, Face Up 21 occasionally goes by the name of Double Exposure Blackjack. The inference is clear in both titles. Players, like you and I, have access to crucial information – and that is the sum of the dealer’s initial cards.
Key Differences Between the Two Variants
What this information does is allow us to play with a lot more freedom. With both dealer cards exposed, we can hit, split and double down with joyful abandon. The often nasty surprise represented by the dealer’s concealed card is taken right out of the equation.
Notwithstanding this added information, the objective of the game is still the same. Your job is to beat the dealer by getting 21, or as close to 21, without busting the hand. What that of course means is you still have to play Face Up 21 strategically.
The only downside of the version available at Juicy Stakes Casino is there is no option to surrender. If the dealer holds high hands like 18, 19 or 20 and your cards show little promise, there is nothing you can but wait for the ‘executioner’s’ final blow.
How Slight Rule Changes Affect the Odds
As is so often the case, there are rule changes that compensate for the fact that both the dealer’s cards are dealt face up. The most glaring modification is the 1:1 odds paid for player blackjack. In the classic version of Blackjack 21, you are paid out at 3:2 odds.
Just that one rule change is hugely significant. It can and does make a noticeable impact on your Stakes Casino bankroll – and not in a good way.
The other key rule adapted for the Face Up 21 variant of blackjack is as significant. In this form of the game, the dealer wins all ties. The only exception is when the player gets a natural blackjack – a hand totalling 21 in the first two cards you are dealt.
In the classic form of the game, ties are declared a push. When that happens, you get your bet back and it is evens sevens all round. Again, this tweaking of the rules is not at all favourable to players at Juicy Stakes… or anywhere else for that matter!
How the Payback Percentages Compare
Now, you would think that with all these adverse rule modifications that there would be a noticeable difference in the average payout rate. In other words, the advantage to the house is surely higher in Face Up 21? Well, you would be wrong.
In both forms of the game featured at Juicy Stakes Casino, the average payback percentage, payout rate or return to player (RTP) is precisely 99.30%. That of course means the edge is just 0.7%... and that is nominal in anyone’s books.
What that essentially tells us is that for every $10 wagered on either of these variants, you can expect to get $9.93 back. We are obviously talking long term averages, so it is quite possible to win more or less than that within the short or long term.
What is worth remembering is when you play either of the games in the theoretically perfect way, you can lower the built-in advantage to Stakes Casino even further! When you do that, you’ll have as close to a golfer’s handicap as you can get!
Best Online Blackjack Rules for Players
As a regular visitor to Juicy Stakes, you will know the rules for online blackjack can be positive or negative to players. In the broadest terms, you should look for online blackjack games that predominantly have the following rules:
- natural blackjack pays 3:2
- a single deck of cards is in-play
- dealer stands on soft 17
- double down on any two cards
- double after the split
- split unlike 10 value cards
- hit split aces
With that in mind, let us take a quick look at the rules pertaining to Blackjack 21 and Face Up 21, respectively:
Game Rules | Face Up 21 | Blackjack 21 |
Blackjack Pays | 1:1 | 3:2 |
8 Decks in play | x | x |
Dealer hits soft 17 | x | x |
Double on any 2 cards | x | x |
Double after the split | x | x |
Dealer wins all ties | x | Ties are a Push |
Split unlike 10 value cards | x | x |
Hit split aces once | x | x |
Split A + 10 is 21 not blackjack | x | x |
The Top 21 Online Blackjack is...
As you can see, Blackjack 21 just edges out Face Up 21 in respect of the player friendly rules listed above our table. The former game has five of the seven positive rules – or precisely 71.43%. Face Up 21 scores four out of seven. Statistically that is a 57.14% positive rules rating, which is a pass, albeit a mediocre one!
As we promised at the outset, we are pleased to reveal what we believe is the best ‘21’ blackjack at Juicy Stakes Casino. Owing to its player-centric rules rating, Blackjack 21 takes the number one spot! You don’t have to take our word on the subject. In fact, we urge you to join Juicy Stakes Casino. That way, you can play both our Tangente online blackjack games and come to our own conclusion.
Joining Juicy Stakes Casino is as easy as 1-2-3. Engage the “JOIN NOW” button and you’ll have blanket access to our download, online and mobile casino platforms! Once you are a registered member at Stakes Casino, all our online casing games, together with our Juicy Stakes free spins bonuses, are only a few taps away.
