What Is Super Fun 21?
Super Fun 21 is a modern blackjack offshoot designed to keep play lively and give players more choices. It’s often billed as a fast-paced variant because you can double down on more hands, surrender at more times, and trigger special payouts and automatic wins.
While the game adds some great perks, it also changes a few key payouts compared to standard blackjack—worth understanding before you bet.
Key Rule Changes vs. Standard Blackjack
Rules can vary by casino and table. Always check the table placard and ask the dealer to confirm. These are the most common rule changes you’ll see:
- Number of decks: Often 1, 2, or 6 decks; many casinos deal with 6.
- Dealer action: Dealer usually hits soft 17 (H17); occasionally stands (S17).
- Blackjack payout: Player blackjack normally pays 1:1 (even money), not 3:2.
- Player blackjack vs dealer blackjack: Player blackjack typically wins even if the dealer also has blackjack.
- Double down: Allowed on any number of cards (not just initial two).
- Splitting: Re-splitting often allowed, including aces (check local rule).
- Surrender: “Surrender at any time” is commonly offered, even after hits/splits; some tables also allow a “rescue” after doubling—ask the dealer how they handle this.
- Bonuses and auto-wins: Special payouts for certain 21s and automatic wins for specific multi-card totals (details below).
Super Fun 21 Rules and Payouts (At-a-Glance)
Exact payouts differ by casino. The list below reflects typical, widely dealt rules. Confirm on the placard before playing.
- Regular win: 1:1
- Player blackjack: 1:1; usually beats dealer blackjack
- 21 with 5+ cards: Often pays 2:1 (e.g., 5-card 21 or 6+ card 21)
- 6-card 20 or less: Frequently an automatic win (1:1)
- Suited diamond blackjack: Sometimes pays 2:1 (not universal—verify)
- Insurance: 2:1 (same as classic blackjack)
Why the trade-off? Those player-friendly extras (multi-card doubles, more surrender options, and special wins) are balanced by the even-money blackjack payout.
What Makes It “Super Fun”?
Three things make the game distinct:
- More control: You can hit, double, and sometimes surrender later in the hand than classic blackjack allows.
- Bonus payouts: Multi-card 21s often pay more, and certain hands auto-win. These bonuses can swing a session.
- Faster decisions: With more options and frequent resolves, many tables play quicker than standard blackjack.
House Edge and Game Conditions
The house edge depends heavily on the exact rules and number of decks. In many casinos with 6 decks and dealer hits soft 17, the edge typically falls in the ~1.0% to 1.3% range with sound play. Single-deck and S17 tables can improve that, while stricter rules increase it.
Ask the dealer for a rules rundown and scan the placard. Small differences—like whether 5-card 21 pays 2:1, or if 6-card 20 auto-wins—matter a lot.
Super Fun 21 Strategy: Quick Start
You’ll use a familiar blackjack mindset with important adjustments for the variant’s perks. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
1) Table Selection Checklist
- Prefer S17 (dealer stands on soft 17) if available.
- Confirm 5+ card 21 pays 2:1 and that 6-card 20 or less is an auto-win.
- Look for “rescue” after doubling, if offered.
- Lower minimums help you learn without pressure.
2) Core Playing Tips
- Even-money blackjack: Since your blackjack pays 1:1, don’t overbet just to “chase” naturals.
- Chasing 6-card auto-wins: If you have 5 cards totaling 16 or less, hitting to try for the 6-card automatic win is often correct—unless the bust risk is unusually high given the dealer’s upcard.
- 5+ card 21s: If you reach 21 on five or more cards, you’re likely paid 2:1; this supports a slightly more aggressive hit strategy in some borderline spots.
- Doubling on more cards: You can double on any number of cards. Consider doubling later when the deck gives you a strong draw and the dealer shows a weak upcard (4, 5, or 6).
- Surrender at any time: Use surrender (and rescue, if allowed) to cut losses on clearly negative spots—e.g., hard 16 vs. dealer 10 when you haven’t yet improved.
3) Situational Examples
- Example A: You have five cards totaling 15 vs. dealer 9. Hitting aims for the 6-card auto-win and can be better than standing on a weak total.
- Example B: You hold 10-6 vs. dealer 10. In classic blackjack, standing or hitting depends on count and policy, but here surrender-at-any-time gives you a clean exit if the next draw goes wrong.
- Example C: You draw to 21 with five cards; you’ll often get 2:1—one of the best feelings in the game.
Real-Life Story: The 6-Card Save
On a recent Vegas trip, I sat at a $10 Super Fun 21 table with a friendly dealer named Ana. Mid-shoe, I caught a rough patch—kept landing on 12–15. One hand, I reached a 5-card 16 against a dealer 7. Ana reminded me about the 6-card auto-win. I hit, drew a small card, and the table cheered as my 6-card 20 locked an instant win. That single hand erased the previous two losses. The takeaway: know your table’s auto-win and bonus rules—and use them.
Bankroll and Risk Management
- Session budget: Bring 50–100x the table minimum for a relaxed session.
- Flat bet first: Keep bets steady until you’ve confirmed the exact rules and pace.
- Use surrender wisely: It’s a powerful loss cutter—especially on hard 16 vs. strong dealer upcards.
- Set time and loss limits: Decide both before you play and stick to them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring the placard: Small rule differences can change your strategy and payouts.
- Overvaluing even-money blackjacks: Naturals are nice, but they don’t pay 3:2 here.
- Forgetting 5+ card payouts: When safe, taking an extra hit can unlock a premium.
- Skipping surrender: It’s there to protect your bankroll—use it on bad matchups.
Super Fun 21 vs. Classic Blackjack
Why choose one over the other?
- Choose Super Fun 21 if you enjoy more decisions, extra payouts, and the chance at automatic wins.
- Choose Classic Blackjack if you prefer straightforward rules and 3:2 blackjack payouts.
Both can be great; it comes down to how you like to play—and which rules you find at your casino.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- More player options (double on any number of cards, surrender at more times)
- Potential 2:1 payouts on certain 21s
- 6-card auto-win rules can erase tough hands
Cons
- Even-money blackjack reduces value of naturals
- House edge can be higher than well-dealt 3:2 blackjack
- Rules vary a lot—requires careful table selection
FAQ
Is Super Fun 21 better than regular blackjack?
It depends. If you like more decisions and extra payouts, you’ll enjoy it. If you value 3:2 blackjacks and the lowest possible house edge, a well-dealt classic blackjack table may be better. Always compare rules before sitting down.
What are the typical payouts in Super Fun 21?
Most tables pay 1:1 on regular wins and on player blackjack, 2:1 on 5+ card 21s, and award an automatic win for a 6-card 20 or less. Some also pay 2:1 on a suited diamond blackjack. Confirm at the table.
What’s the house edge?
With common 6-deck H17 rules, the house edge is often around ~1.0%–1.3% with solid play. Single-deck or S17 can help; stricter rules increase the edge. Your exact edge depends on the table’s posted rules.
Can I surrender after doubling?
Many Super Fun 21 tables allow “surrender at any time,” and some offer a “rescue” option after doubling. Procedures vary—ask the dealer how surrender works post-double at that table.
Do I need a different basic strategy?
Yes—slightly. Factor in 5+ card 21 payouts and the 6-card auto-win. In general, you’ll hit a bit more when chasing those outcomes and use surrender more often against strong dealer upcards.
Conclusion
If you enjoy flexible rules, special payouts, and brisk action, you’ll likely love super fun 21. Just remember that even-money blackjacks and table-specific rules affect your edge—and that smart play includes using surrender and chasing multi-card perks when the math supports it.