21 Duel Blackjack Review & Free Demo Game

We all love playing classic blackjack games, but every now and then, we need something different, for good measure. This is where fun and unique spin-off games come in play. Playtech are renowned for making the best titles of this kind, and today we will talk about one of our favourites – 21 Duel Blackjack. It is a truly unique take on the original game and is guaranteed to get you hooked!

In this review, we will tell you everything you need to know about 21 Duel, and even provide you with a free demo and a strategy guide.

Play 21 Duel for Free

Even though 21 Duel is best enjoyed when played with real money, it will be a good idea to first try out the game for free. This is why we present you with a demo version of the game, which you can practice on without having to spend a dime! It is identical to the real thing, and will help you familiarise yourself with the concept of the game.

Instant play

Be warned that 21 Duel is like no other blackjack game you’ve played before, so we urge you to test it out here before wagering real money on it. It’s a really unique concept that we are yet to see in another game.

Rules & Features

21 Duel differs significantly from your standard 6-deck blackjack game. At the beginning of a round, you and the dealer are dealt two cards – only one of your cards will be face-up, and both dealer cards will be face-down initially. Then, two other cards will be dealt at the centre of the table. They are known as communal cards, and you will use them for creating winning combinations. Once the setup is complete, you can take one of the following actions:

• Hit – Reveal your face-down card and count your point total
• Fold – Give up your hand, lose your bet, and end the round
• Left/Right Card – Pick one of the two communal cards to add to your hand
• Stand – Discard your face-down card

Once you have made a decision, the dealer’s cards are revealed, the round ends and a winner is determined. Whoever is closer to 21 wins, just like in classic blackjack. The dealer can also use the communal cards in order to beat you. It is also important to mention that 21 Duel is a multi-hand game – you can play with up to three independent hands simultaneously.

The 2UP Side Bet

Apart from its unique rules and gameplay, 21 Duel also features a side bet called 2Up. Each round, you can place a separate bet on whether or not your hand and the communal cards will form a pair or a three-of-a-kind. If you are lucky enough to get a pair, your reward will be three times your bet! However, if you manage to get a three-of-a-kind, the payout is 20:1! Given the rather good chance of this happening over the course of a long game, this side bet gives you the opportunity to win some pretty good amounts of money. However, it is all dumb luck, and there is no way to influence the outcome.

Payouts & RTP

The average estimated RTP of 21 Duel Blackjack clocks at 98.38%, which is a bit lower than the usual numbers we see for a blackjack game. Let’s not forget that the concept of the title is pretty unique, so we cannot expect the casino edge to be the same. Blackjack pays 1:1 in this game, which is a bit of a downer – still, this is the way the developers intended it to be. This is probably because blackjacks are pretty common in this game, because of the two communal cards.

The 2Up side bet has an average RTP of 93.47%, but this is to be expected, given the considerably high payout rates. Overall, the RTP and payouts of 21 Duel are a bit lower than your average blackjack game.

Strategy Guide for 21 Duel

Playing 21 Duel Blackjack is simple enough, but winning consistently can be quite challenging. Like for all casino games, there isn’t a perfect strategy that will guarantee you victory after victory and epic winnings. However, we can give you some pointers that will let you understand the game better, and help you develop an efficient playstyle.

Folding is never a good option, but in 21 Duel there are a few situations where it is the most viable move. Below you can see all instances in which you would be wise to fold and play a new round. The format is Your Face-Up Card (Communal Card 1/Communal Card 2).

• A (A/A)
• 2 (A/5, A/6, A/10, 10/5, 10/6)
• 3 (A/9, A/10, 10/4, 10/5)
• 4 (A/8, A/9, A/10, 10/3, 10/4)
• 5 (A/7, A/8, A/9, A/10, 10/2, 10/7, 10/8, 10/9, 10/10)
• 6 (A/8, 10/6, 10/7, 10/8, 10/9, 10/10)
• 7 (10/5, 10/6, 10/7)

In all other cases, you should choose to play the round. Always choose the community card that will give your hand the highest possible value! When finally prompted to choose Hit or Stand, only hit if your point total equals 16 or less. If you’ve managed to get 17 or more, always choose stand. The only exception to this is a soft 17, in which case you should choose to hit.

21 Duel Blackjack Overview

21 Duel is a cool blackjack game which has fun gameplay and great graphics. Its only downside is the slightly lower RTP on the main game and the side bet. Other than that, if you feel like playing something different, 21 Duel is definitely worth a shot. With the optimal strategy, the odds of you winning most of the time are pretty good. Have fun!