21 Stud

Introduction

21Stud is a straightforward variation of blackjack that requires no strategic choices. Both the player and the dealer receive two cards, and the hand with the higher total wins. As of November 2022, this game has been introduced at venues like Encore in Boston and the Boston Billiard Club and Casino in New Hampshire, with a new presence expected soon at Eagle Mountain Casino in California.

Rules

1. The game can utilize six to eight standard decks of 52 cards or 48-card Spanish decks*.
2. Card values are calculated similarly to traditional blackjack, but in this case, all aces are valued at 11.
3. When a player holds two aces, it counts as a blackjack and has the same value as a conventional ace-10 blackjack.
4. Alongside the primary 21 Stud bet, players can also place three optional bets: Mirror Match, Match 1, and Match 2.
5. Once betting concludes, the dealer will distribute two cards to both the player and himself.
6. If the player achieves a winning blackjack, the payout is either 1.5 or 1.2 to one, depending on the outlined rules.
7. Another aspect that can vary is the handling of a blackjack tie, which may resolve in favor of the player or result in a push, based on the established rules.
8. In cases where the player has a higher hand value, their 21 Stud bet will yield a payout of 1 to 1.
9. Conversely, if the dealer has the winning hand or the game results in a tie, the player's 21 Stud bet becomes a loss.
10. The Mirror Match side bet wins if the player's two cards create a pair, with the corresponding payout table detailed below.
11. The Match 1 side bet activates when the player has at least one card that matches the dealer's initial revealed card. Details of the payout structure can be found below.
12. The Match 2 side bet functions similarly to Match 1 but uses the second card shown by the dealer for matching.

*: Note that Spanish decks lack the four tens, resulting in 48 cards per deck.

Below are the payout tables for the Mirror Match side bet based on whether standard or Spanish decks are utilized. Wins are presented on a 'to one' basis.

The following tables depict the payout structures for the Match 1 and Match 2 side bets according to the use of either standard or Spanish decks. Wins are calculated on a 'to one' basis.

Base Wager Analysis

There are four customizable rules applicable to the main bet, enumerated as follows.

• Number of decks (6 or 8)
• Type of decks (regular or Spanish)
• Pay for winning blackjack (1.2 or 1.5)
• Here’s how a tie in blackjack is handled, whether the player wins or the game ends in a tie.

Between the four distinct rules, there are a total of 16 combinations. The table below illustrates the house edge across all scenarios, detailing how a blackjack tie is resolved.

The subsequent table represents the house edge in accordance with the three adjustable rules:

Mirror Match Analysis

The following analysis provides an overview of the Mirror Match side bet when utilizing six standard decks, revealing a house edge of 8.11%.

This table presents my findings on the Mirror Match side bet with eight standard decks, indicating a house edge of 6.01%.

Here is my analysis of the Mirror Match side bet utilizing six Spanish decks, showing a house edge of 5.89%.

The following data offers insight into the Mirror Match side bet with eight Spanish decks, highlighting a house edge of 3.68%.

Match 1 and Match 2 Analysis

My analysis of the Match side bets reveals a house edge of 4.06% when played with six standard decks.

The analysis of the Match 1 and 2 side bets using eight standard decks indicates a house edge of 2.23%.

This table summarizes my findings for the Match 1 and 2 side bets using six Spanish decks, which shows a house edge of 1.46%.

The subsequent analysis details the Match 1 and 2 side bets utilizing eight Spanish decks, with a house edge of 1.21%.

Video

Enjoy the interview and demonstration featuring the game’s creator, Brandon Zyxnfryx.

Methodology

The side bets I evaluated were done through straightforward calculations, while Joe Shipman conducted the analysis for the base game. His mathematical insights were graciously shared by the game's owner, Brandon Zyxnfryx.

External Links

Discussion You can find more detailed discussions about 21 Stud in my forum located at Wizard of Vegas.

Written by: Michael Shackleford