Super Fun 21 does have
some tough edges
28 November 2005
By Mark Pilarski
Dear Mark,
I was playing a form of blackjack that had a bit
of a twist to it when it came to the rules. I
don't remember its exact name, but I do remember
that a blackjack in diamonds paid two-to-one. Do
you know what version of blackjack I was
playing? I actually won some money. Ed M.
Seeing that you scored some scratch, Ed, you
will most likely appreciate its name, Super Fun
21. Although the object of the game remains the
same -- beat the dealer's hand by getting as
close to 21 as you can without busting -- this
mutant of blackjack incorporates a number of
liberal rules and bonuses not found in
conventional blackjack.
Here are some of Super's specifics and rule
changes compared against those of commonplace
blackjack.
The game is usually played with one deck, but
sometimes two.
The dealer usually hits a soft 17.
Players may double down on any number of cards,
even after splitting pairs.
Players may re-split up to four hands, including
aces
Players may take late surrender on any number of
cards, even after hitting, splitting or doubling
down.
A player hand totaling 20 or less, consisting of
six cards or more, except after doubling,
automatically wins.
A player hand of 21 points, consisting of 5
cards or more, except after doubling, pays 2 to
1 instantly.
A player blackjack always wins, even if the
dealer has one.
And finally, that one rule that popped up in
your question letting me know exactly what
version of blackjack you were referencing: a
blackjack in diamonds pays 2-to-1 compared to
all other blackjacks that only pay even money --
that rule can make for some fun. But Super Fun,
Ed? Hmmm.
Being that the casino isn't in the business of
giving Ed free money, the kicker(s) are that all
non-diamonds blackjacks pay only even money, and
the dealer usually hits a soft 17.
For those of you accustomed to a 3-2 payoff for
your snappers, expect even-money payoffs on 15
of every 16 blackjacks, as only 1 of those 16
happy blackjacks, on average, will be in
diamonds.
As to the dealer hitting a soft 17, this gives
the house an edge of 0.94% compared to 0.75% if
the dealer were to stand. When two decks are
used, and the dealer hits a soft 17, the house
edge is 1.16%.
These two house rules give the casino an
advantage higher than in most everyday
multi-deck blackjack games, even when
incorporating perfect basic strategy.
Nevertheless, if you get a hoot and a holler out
of playing Super Fun 21, and are willing to give
up an extra few tenths of the house edge in
exchange for finally getting paid for a
Five-Card Charlie, go have some fun, Super Fun.
Dear Mark,
This may come as a surprise to your readers, you
not living in Las Vegas, but there are more
Catholic churches there than there are casinos.
Not surprisingly, some worshippers at Sunday
services will give casino chips rather than cash
when the basket is passed. Since they get chips
from so many different casinos, the churches
have devised a method to collect the offerings.
The churches send all their collected chips to a
nearby Franciscan Monastery for sorting and then
the chips are taken to the casinos of origin and
cashed in. I thought your readers might want to
know this interesting tidbit. Donald K.
Intriguing item, Donald, and my readers thank
you. Actually, things have evolved. There are 39
Catholic churches in the greater Las Vegas area
now compared to over 80 casinos. But, that still
doesn't change the fact that "Chip Monks" do the
collection sorting.
Gambling Wisdom of the Week: "Why is it that the
people who come down hardest on luck are usually
the ones who've already gotten theirs?" -- The
Good Luck Book
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