An Introduction

In many ways, 21 Duel Blackjack players will find that the gameplay here is much simpler than a traditional game of blackjack, in that the options are streamlined. There is no option to split, to double down, and no getting a natural blackjack. Let’s look at the basics.

With the same familiar objectives as blackjack, yet with the addition of new elements and the lack of many of the traditional ones, 21 Duel Blackjack will offer gaming enthusiasts in Canada an exciting and streamlined real cash online gambling experience.

Same As It Ever Was

The basic idea in a 21 Duel Blackjack game is the same as in the traditional version of blackjack. It is a game of the player versus the dealer. Each is attempting to complete a hand with the highest value possible, without exceeding 21, in order to beat the other’s hand of a (hopefully) lower value. Card values and scoring is the same here as it is in traditional blackjack, where Aces can count for a value of either 11 or 1. This should all sound very familiar so far!

What’s The Deal?

The player and the dealer are both dealt two cards. For the player, one is face up and one is face down. For the dealer, both cards are dealt face down. Next, two face up cards are dealt in the middle of the table. These are communal cards that all players and the dealer can choose from to complete their hands.

Stages of Betting

There are three stages of betting in a 21 Duel Blackjack game. Before cards are dealt, the player makes an initial ante bet. Also at this point, a second, optional bet can be placed, called a 2 Up bet (more on this further down). Once cards have been dealt, the player decides if they are going to fold or continue. If they continue, they must make another bet and choose from one of the community cards to add to their hand. This bet must be equal to the initial ante bet.

Endgame

Now it’s the dealer’s turn. They reveal one of their two face down cards, and choose from one of the two community cards to add to their hand. Note: the dealer is allowed to choose the same card as the player chose from the face up community cards. If the dealer’s hand has a value of 17 or greater, they must stand. If they have a hand lower than 17, they may choose to hit by turning over their other face down card.

At this point, if the dealer has a hand with a value of 12 or less, they do not qualify. The player wins the original ante bet, while the second bet is pushed (no money is lost or won for either player or dealer). If the dealer has a hand of 13 or greater, the two hands are compared, and the highest hand (without going over 21) wins.

Blackjack Vs. 21 Duel Blackjack

Let’s take a closer look at the ways a game of 21 Duel Blackjack differs from your basic game of online blackjack in Canada.

The Hole Cards

Players will note that the first big difference right off the bat is the dealing of the cards. In traditional blackjack, both of your cards are dealt face up. The dealer however has one card face down, which is called a “hole card" and one face up. In a game of online 21 Duel Blackjack, both of the dealer’s cards are face down, and the player has one hole card.

Building A Community

Next is the addition of the face up community cards, which do not exist at all in standard blackjack. This allows both the dealer and player to see in part what the other’s hand could look like in a way that is unique to 21 Duel Blackjack.

An Exciting Twist

Unlike normal blackjack, the 21 Duel variation has the exciting addition of an optional side bet. This bet, called a 2 Up, is a separate second bet that can be made at the beginning of the hand (before cards are dealt), as to the outcome of the face up cards.

Betting and Odds

There are three stages of betting in 21 Duel Blackjack: the ante, an optional 2 Up bet, and the final bet. Let’s look closer at these three stages.

The Ante

The ante is the initial bet made by the player. This bet is made before any cards are dealt. Like most other games, there will be a minimum and a maximum bet amount.

The 2 Up

The 2 Up is an optional side bet players can make in 21 Duel Blackjack. This bet is also made before cards are dealt. The objective of the 2 Up bet is to see if the face up card will match with one or both of the two face up community cards. If one of the cards matches another, the player wins the bet at a 3 to 1 payout. If all three cards match, the payout is 20 to 1! The 2 Up bet can be won regardless as to who wins the actual hand.

The Final Bet

This is the bet the player makes if they wish to continue after seeing their hand. It is the only other bet that can be made in the hand, and it must equal the value of the initial ante.

The ante and the final bet are won together with a winning hand. However, in the event of the dealer disqualifying (with a hand under 13), the player will in the initial ante, while the final bet pushes. These two bets both pay out at even money, while the side bet again pays out at 3 to 1 or 20 to 1, depending on the above-mentioned outcomes. The house edge in 21 Duel Blackjack is 3.08%.

Strategy for Beginners

Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

One of the biggest choices in any game of blackjack is whether to hit or to stand. In a 21 Duel Blackjack game, a good rule of thumb is to stand on a hand with a value of 17 or greater, and to hit on a hand with a value under 17. That is unless you have a “soft 17,” which is a hand with a value of 17 that utilizes an Ace, a card that can have a value of either 1 or 11. This is especially an instance in which to hit if the Ace in question is one of the community cards.

Know When To Fold ‘Em

It’s never fun to fold. There are just some cases when it is downright foolish not to though. If you have a face up card of an A, and the two community cards are also Aces, fold! A hand of double Aces is considered the worst hand you can hold in blackjack, and normally, you would want to split them. That’s not an option in a 21 Duel Blackjack game though. Not only that, but you can only hit once! In general, those two factors are essential to have in mind. Always consider the possible strength of your hand based on the choice of community cards in front of you, and then consider the general probability of what you might find if you hit. Generally speaking, a player with a low face up card (under 7) paired with the choice of community cards that will only get them an initial (pre-hit) hand of a low teen should consider folding.

Mobile Compatibility

Do you have a favourite online casino? 21 Duel Blackjack is often a favourite for players. These are compatible with all major operating systems and devices, such as iOS (Apple iPhone, iPad), Windows, BlackBerry, Android (LG, Samsung Galaxy), and others. Just open the browser on your device and head to your favourite blackjack casino, or download one of the many great gambling apps that are freely available.

Our Final Call

For blackjack enthusiasts, online 21 Duel Blackjack gaming really delivers! Its streamlined gameplay makes for fast, adventurous betting possibilities, while adding the extra bonus of the 2 Up side bet to keep you on your toes. This game is perfect for the novice online gamer due to its ease of play, while being a fun alternative to the seasoned real money blackjack player. Don't take our word for it though. You can find a 21 Duel Blackjack casino on one of the many sites on our carefully selected list of top sites in Canada. Play it today in 2024 and see for yourself!