Face Up 21
Face Up 21 is one of the most intense blackjack variations you’ll ever play. In normal online blackjack games, using a basic strategy can get you very far, but Face Up 21 wreaks mental havoc on a player by doing something unheard of in the realm of blackjack. In Face Up 21 the player is able to see both of the dealer’s cards! But don’t expect that awesome convenience to come without a heavy price tag.
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Face Up 21 is found in some live casinos as well as online casinos like Bodog Casino and Cherry Red Casino. New players can get an online blackjack bonus at either of these casinos. Check out our reviews of each casino – you’ll find links to them on the left column of this website.
Face Up 21 Rules
The Rules of Face Up 21 Are:
1/ Players see both of dealer’s cards (hence the name, “Face Up” 21).
2/ Dealer wins a tie, except a natural Blackjack (player wins).
3/ All wins pay even money, including Blackjack.
4/ Doubling allowed on 2-card totals of 9, 10 and 11 only.
5/ Players can double down after splitting.
6/ Split allowed up to 3 hands.
7/ Dealer hits soft 17.
8/ No Insurance betting (for obvious reasons).
Card Values:
- 2-9 = face value
- 10-K = 10
- A = 1 or 11, whichever is higher without busting the hand.
How to Play Face Up Blackjack
These are the basic rules on how to play Face Up 21. Bets are placed at the start of a hand of Face Up 21. The player and dealer both get 2 cards, with all cards being dealt ‘face up’. Blackjack (natural 21; Ace + 10 or Face Card) automatically wins; otherwise the player can do one of the following:
- Stand (take no more cards)
- Hit (take another card)
- Double (take one more card, doubling the original bet; player can only double on 9, 10 or 11)
- Split (split two identical cards into two hands)
Face Up 21 Payouts
The player’s hand must total higher than the dealer’s hand, without busting (going over 21) in order to win the hand. If the player and dealer hands both tie, the dealer wins the bet, except in the case of both player and dealer having a natural Blackjack, in which case the player wins.
Because the player is given such an advantage as seeing the dealer’s face up hand, winning hands only pay out even money, including a natural Blackjack.
All natural blackjacks beat any other hand of 21 or below. A standard hand of 21 made up of 3 or more cards beats any total below 21, and so on.
Face Up 21 Strategy & Tips
The ability to see both of the dealer’s cards changes every aspect of Face Up 21 strategy. For example, if the dealer has a total of 17 to 21, you already know if you have to keep hitting, or if you’ve already won the hand.
If you see that the dealer is holding a total of 16 – the best possible scenario for the player aside from an already winning hand – your options become wide open.
Take for example a hand like K-K. It’s an awesome total of 20 and already has a great chance of winning, but who wouldn’t want to split such a beauty? In normal Blackjack strategy, the proper move is to Stand, but if you know the dealer has 16, the strategy reverses. Splitting the Kings is actually to the player’s advantage. Even if you get a total of 12, your hand is expected to beat the dealer’s by standing on 12, since the dealer will more than likely bust.
Play Face Up 21 Online
Face Up 21 is a very popular game online. All of the best online blackjack sites offer it now, so you can practice for free before trying it for real money. If you’re going to play online, be sure to use our links to get to the casino. Our links are embedded with the bonus code you need for your online blackjack bonus. The blackjack bonuses offer players a chance to get up to $1200 in real money for doing what you’re going to do anyway – play blackjack!
