Super Fun 21 was one of the first carnival blackjack games that significantly increased the house edge from the traditional 3/2 tables. The house advantage of Super Fun 21 is two or three times higher than a 3/2 game using the same number of decks.
At first, Super Fun 21 was at single-deck blackjack tables as the 3/2 payout left those games. After a few years, it was also dealt using two or six decks.
As 6/5 blackjack tables took over Las Vegas, Super Fun 21 became obsolete. It held on for a few more years at some Boyd Gaming casinos. Those days are over.
On August 14, 2023, we visited Sam’s Town on Boulder Highway. It was the last casino in Las Vegas where we found Super Fun 21. The table is no longer on the floor there. Super Fun 21 is officially dead in Las Vegas. It now heads to our Las Vegas Blackjack Variant Graveyard.
Super Fun 21 rules
Super Fun 21 has some unusual rules. It allows double down before and after splitting on any number of cards. Players may split pairs up to four hands, including aces. Split aces may be hit or doubled down. Surender is permitted at any time after the dealer checks for blackjack. That means a player can hit and surrender, even after a double down. A six-card Charlie automatically wins. A 21 hand of five or more cards instantly wins 2/1. Dealt blackjack to players always win.
These rules sound great, except there is a catch. Blackjack pays even money unless it is suited in diamonds. Then, it pays 2/1. The house edge is 1.16% with perfect play on single deck, according to the Wizard of Odds. It increases with the number of decks used.
Plaza offers a game like Super Fun 21
Plaza owns “Most Liberal 21.” It has many of the same rules as Super Fun 21. The minimum bet for Most Liberal 21 is usually $5 during the day and $10 at night. The house edge on this game is about 1.3%. That is about the same as a six-deck Super Fun 21 table, although the rules are slightly different.
Super Fun 21 online is not the same game
Some online casinos deal a game called Super Fun 21 Extreme. It plays like Spanish 21 with some loose player rules, but with the dealer pushing on 22 if the player did not bust or get dealt a blackjack. This is much different than the Super 21 game that was dealt in Las Vegas casinos.
Nine blackjack variants remain in Las Vegas
The loss of Super Fun 21 leaves nine blackjack variants in Las Vegas. Free Bet Blackjack is by far the most popular. It has about 100 installations. Most Free Bet Blackjack tables pay 6/5, but there are about 20 3/2 tables in the market.
Bonus Spin comes in second place. It is dealt at four Fremont Street casinos. This is the only blackjack game in Las Vegas that requires a side bet. It is $1 or $2, depending on the casino. Free Bonus Blackjack is similar and available at a few Las Vegas casinos.
Double Up Blackjack is the best Las Vegas variant in terms of house advantage when the game pays 3/2. That version is dealt at Binion’s and Four Queens. Double Up Blackjack on the Strip pays 6/5.
Double Exposure Blackjack shows both dealer hole cards with bad rules like blackjack paying even money and the dealer wins all ties except on blackjack. Circus Circus has Double Exposure Blackjack. Most Liberal 21 is Plaza’s version of Super Fun 21. It was once also dealt at Las Vegas Club.
Lucky Cat Blackjack with a 3/2 payout is at Four Queens. Golden Nugget has it with a $2 mandatory side bet.
Once a popular Las Vegas blackjack variant, Spanish 21 is now only found at Venetian and Palazzo. We only see the tables open during peak hours.
