21 Duel Blackjack Review
Blackjack has spawned many innovative variations over the years, some of which are pretty popular among fans of the genre. One such title is 21 Duel Blackjack – a Playtech game that keeps the concept of the original, but adds a ton of new gameplay features to the mix. It is one of the few blackjack variations that actually manage to make the whole game feel different and new. This innovative title is hugely popular with fans, so you can find it at many Playtech-powered online casinos. Our pick of the lot is Ladbrokes, because their gaming catalogue will make it worth your while in the long run.
- Unique Rule Set
- Side Bet Option
As most Playtech games, 21 Duel Blackjack is a title of the highest quality. The visuals and audio are top-notch, and there are plenty of settings to tinker with. It’s without a doubt one of the best blackjack games for UK players. On this page, we will walk you through everything that is important about the game, including the unique rules it is played by. We will also provide you with a free-to-play version, so you can try out the game without wagering actual cash on it.
Play the Demo Game
21 Duel Blackjack is a great game to play with real money, but one must be familiar with how the game actually works before attempting that. As we already mentioned, even though the gameplay is based around blackjack, 21 Duel offers a unique approach to it. In order to be prepared for the real deal, we have embedded a free demo just below – you can practice on it all you want.
- Unique Gameplay
- 2 Up Side Bet
- Great Visuals
If you have never played this game before, you may become a little confused just by looking at its layout. Don’t worry – it all becomes clear quite fast. 21 Duel is actually pretty easy to play, and gets downright fun once you get the hang of it. In the next few paragraphs, we will explain how the game works and what the rules are.
How the Game Works
21 Duel Blackjack is played with six normal decks, and players can wager on up to three separate hands. After placing your bet, you will be dealt two cards – one face-up, and the other face-down. Two more cards will be placed face-up in the middle of the table – those are known as communal cards, and will be used both by you and the dealer. With one of your cards visible, you must choose whether to fold or play. If you choose the latter, you need to pick one of the two communal cards to add to your hand. Based on the total result you got, you can choose to either hit or stand. Hitting will result in your second card being revealed and added to your point total.
The dealer starts with both cards face-down, and reveals one of them after the player decides whether to hit or stand. They also use one of the communal cards for their hand, and may choose to hit and reveal their second card. After all this, the point totals are compared and a winner is decided. As you can see, the gameplay of 21 Duel is very different than that of classic blackjack. In fact, it is quite similar to the ever popular Texas Hold’em Poker in some aspects.
As you probably expected, moves like splitting, doubling down and insurance are not available at 21 Duel. There is, however, a side bet called 2 Up. It is placed independently from the main bet, and involves wagering on whether or not your face-up card and the communal cards will form a pair or a three-of-a-kind. This side bets offers you the chance to pocket some returns even if you actually lose your hand. However, it also increases the risk and reduces the RTP somewhat.
Play 21 Duel Blackjack for Real Money
21 Duel Blackjack is one of the most interesting blackjack variations out there and it’s definitely worth a try – in the very least, you should check for yourself what the fuss is all about. You should also remember that for all the variations, this is still a blackjack game, and offers a RTP rate of 98.38%, which is considerably higher than most other casino games. If you manage to get the hang of it and devise a suitable strategy, you can definitely play it for real money and come out at a profit. As already mentioned, you can find the game over at Ladbrokes, one of the top casinos for UK players on the net.