How To Play Super Fun 21 , Rules and Strategy
Written by
Joe - Poker PlayerLast updated:
November 27, 2023
Does 21 ring a bell to you? Yes, you guessed it right. Super Fun 21 is another variation to the classic popular table game, Blackjack. But the game is not as old as its father game. Howard Grossman invented the game back in 1999, and today, you will find the game in online casinos that work with Microgaming- the company that retains the rights to the game.Super Fun 21 is played using one or six decks of standard 52-card decks. The gameplay, rules, and payouts also differ from the classic Blackjack game. Hence, you will need modified strategies to increase your winning chance at this game.
Ready to take a break from 21 and try the super fun 21? Let’s learn how to play the game together.
What Is Super Fun 21: Basic Rules And Table Layout
Unlike most Blackjack games that are played using six decks of cards, Super Fun can be played using only one deck of 52 cards. It is one of the main differences between the two. The table layout, dealing sequence, and player’s options to act are virtually the same in both games. Here is a breakdown of basic rules to warm you up before we start dealing cards.
- The game is between you and the dealer. Your hand will be compared only with the dealer’s, not other players at the table.
- Face cards are worth 10, Aces are counted as either 1 or 11, and numbered cards are worth their values.
- If you or the dealer go over 21, you bust.
- To start, every player should place a bet. The bet size should be within the Min&Max betting limit of the table.
- If the house offers the Special Bonus side bet, you should place it before the dealer starts dealing cards.
- The dealer deals cards from right to left(as you look at the table) and from left to right(as the dealer looks at the table). Hence, the action also proceeds in these directions, with players having the option to hit, double down, split, and stand.
- Unlike traditional blackjack, where the dealer stands on 17, in this game, the dealer should hit soft 17.
How To Play Super Fun 21: Gameplay
Once every player places their chips(wagers) in the designated zones in front of their seats, the dealer starts dealing cards in a clockwise manner. Every player receives 2 cards face-down, while the dealer gets a face-down and a face-up card.
If the dealer gets an Ace or a Face card, she peeks for Blackjack. If the dealer gets a Blackjack(Ace+Face Card), everyone at the table automatically loses.
If the dealer gets an Ace as her face-up card, she will ask you whether you want to bet insurance. My pro tip is to always say NO to her tempting offer for an insurance bet! Why? Because the bet is all against you and favors the house. Always! When everyone gets their cards, assuming that the dealer doesn’t get a blackjack, each player now has to decide the next move. Here is where rule changes between the games show up.
Super Fun 21 Players Options
The options are the same; you can:
- Hit: ask for one more card,
- Stand: stick to what you have,
- Double down: double your bet and get one card,
- Split: place another bet equal to your initial bet and get a new hand,
- Or Surrender: give up half of your bet and fold your hand.
But the rules are not the same.
Split
Unlike traditional blackjack, where you are not allowed to split a pair of Ace, you can split Aces in Super Fun 21. In this game, you can split your hands four times(in total). This is how it works:
- Your initial hand: ♦4 + ♠4
- You split the hands by placing another bet, and now you have two hands: ♦4 and ♠4
- The dealer gives another card to each hand: ♦4 + ♦4 and ♠4 + ♥4
- Now, you split each hand again.
- And in the end, you can split one of the two new hands.
Double Down and Double Down Rescue
Unlike classic Blackjack, where you cannot double down after a hit, in Super Fun, you can Double Down after as many hits as you want. In fact, you can double down at any point, no matter how many cards you have been dealt.
Double Down Rescue is an idea unique to Super Fun 21. In this game, when you double down, you receive one card as usual. But the twist is that you can surrender if you are not happy with what you got. This way, you will give up your initial bet, but your doubled bet will be returned to you.
In Super Fun 21, you cannot surrender without doubling down, and you can surrender only before the showdown.
Remember, if you doubled two or more of your split hands, you must surrender all of your doubles to completely surrender.
Hit
If you hit until you get 6 cards or more with a total value of 20, you will automatically win against the dealer, even if the dealer gets a Blackjack. It is known as the 6-card Charlie Rule. If you hit until you get 5 cards with a total value of 21, you will automatically win 2 times your initial wager. It is known as the 5-card Charlie Rule.
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Having A Blackjack: Player Wins or The Dealer?
One big difference between Super Fun 21 and the classic game of Blackjack is when the player gets a natural or a hand consisting of an Ace plus a Face card.
The player’s Blackjack beats the dealer’s Blackjack in Super Fun 21.
There is no push in this game when you and the dealer both get a natural. Your blackjack always wins. But Super Fun 21 pays out Blackjack in a 6:5 ratio rather than the classic 3:2 payout. Meanwhile, Blackjack payout is even money in some casinos.
Special Bonus Side Bet: Yes or No?
As mentioned earlier, after placing your bet, you can also place a Special Bonus or Special Side Bet. Not all casinos offer this side bet as it is not popular among seasoned gamblers. But if the house offers it, you can place the bet only in the first round of a shuffled deck when no cards have been dealt.
How does the side bet work?
When the deck is shuffled, you can place a bet on getting a suited blackjack(e.g., diamond Ace and Jack). Some casinos allow you to choose the suit, while others choose the suit for the player. If you get the suited blackjack, you can enjoy a juicy 300:1 payout.
The payout may seem tempting, but if you know the house edge is a whopping 9.2%, you definitely will overcome the temptation. Won’t you?!
Super Fun 21 House Edge And Payouts
The payouts are even money in this game unless a casino states that Blackjack pays out 6:5. Also, in the case of getting 5 cards with a total of 21, you will be paid 2:1. In some casinos, diamonds blackjack has a payout of 2:1.
Since the game can be played with varying numbers of decks, the house edge varies in each case.
| Decks of cards | House Edge |
| 1 | 1.16% |
| 2 | 1.30% |
| 6 | 1.40% |
How To Win Super Fun 21: 6 Proven Tips And Strategies
- You can double down any time even after hitting. So, if you get a hand total of 9, 10, or 11 after hitting, double down. In other words, like basic blackjack strategy, double down when you have 9,10 or 11.
- Avoid the special bonus side bet as its odds are terribly against you, with the house edge of nearly 10%.
- Always avoid betting insurance.
- Try to play the game using one deck of cards, as the house edge is relatively lower compared to the other two variants.
- Master the traditional basic blackjack strategy, but remember, in Super Fun 21, the decision-making is highly affected by the number of cards you hold. For example, if you have two cards with a total of 10 and the dealer’s face-up card is 10, you should double. But, if you get a total of 10 with three cards, while the dealer’s up-card is 10, you should hit.
- Never bet more than your budget, and never chase your losses.
Wrap-Up: Does Super Fun 21 Worth It?
While Super Fun 21 may not offer the most favorable odds for players, this blackjack variant can spice things up for experienced fans of the game seeking new adventures and fun. The main downside of the game is the 6:5 payout of natural hands. However, the modified rules ensure that players get a reasonable house edge of 1.6% to 1.40%. The house advantage in this game is not the greatest among all Blackjack variants, but it’s not the worst, either.
To play the game, you can visit land-based casinos throughout the Vegas Strip or find the game in online casinos powered by Microgaming and Real Time Gaming. With that said, I strongly recommend playing Super Fun 21 to expand your Blackjack skills. You can always play with minimum stakes like $5 and switch to another variation if you don’t feel comfortable playing the game.
Super Fun 21 FAQs
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What Makes Super Fun 21 Different From Regular Blackjack?
Super Fun 21 allows players to split any hand up to four times, including aces, and it pays out bonus rewards for six-card Charlies (six or more cards totaling 20) and five-card Charlies (5 cards totaling 21).
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What Is The Minimum Bet Size In Super Fun 21?
The minimum bet amount can vary by casino but is often around $5 or $10 per hand. The maximum bet is usually several hundred dollars.
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Can You Double Down In Super Fun 21?
Yes, doubling down is allowed in Super Fun 21, even after taking multiple hits, which opens up more strategic options.
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Is Card Counting Effective In Super Fun 21?
Card counting is less applicable in Super Fun 21 compared to regular blackjack, as the extra options give players more ways to alter outcomes, making predicting probabilities more difficult.
