21 Flip

Question 1 - [00:09]

Michael Shackleford:​ Hello, I'm Mike Shackleford reporting live from the 2015 Cutting Edge Table Game Show at the iconic Paris Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Jesse Shows from Green Felt Gaming, who is here to introduce us to his innovative game called 21 flip. Thank you for joining us, Jesse. Can you share some details about this new game?

Jesse Shows: Absolutely! In this game, we are playing a variant of blackjack but in a unique format. Players won't receive any individual cards; instead, everyone will participate using a single community hand that follows the dealer's rules. The dealer will draw until reaching a total of 17 or higher, at which point we will settle the bets based on that outcome.

Question 2 - [00:38]

Michael Shackleford​: How can players get into the game?

Jesse Shows: Players start by placing an ante bet, and they also have the option to make a fortune four bet if they choose. These bets create opportunities to win even if the dealer fails to form a hand with all four cards. It should be noted that a maximum of four cards will be involved in the hand.

Question 3 - [00:53]

Michael Shackleford: ​Could you explain these six different betting options I see laid out on the table?

Jesse Shows: Certainly! As mentioned earlier, we kick things off with the ante. Once that is established, after viewing the dealer's up card, players have four betting options. They can wager on the first, second, or third flip, which correlates to the sequence of the cards displayed. For instance, if your total lands between 17 to 21 for the first flip, it pays accordingly. Plus, there’s a progressive payout system: the first flip pays 1 to 1, the second pays 2 to 1, and the third pays 3 to 1. Additionally, there’s a busted bet that allows you to wager on the dealer busting with any card, which pays at 2 to 1. The intriguing aspect of these three bets is that if you make a successful selection, your ante can carry forward to the next round.

Question 4 - [01:36]

Michael Shackleford​:​ Can you detail how the fortune four bet works?

Jesse Shows:​ Certainly! The fortune four bet is an optional wager made prior to revealing any other cards. It offers players a chance to win either 100 to 1 or 10 to 1 based on the dealer's total, which can range from four to sixteen.

Question 5 - [01:50]

Michael Shackleford:​ Are there regulations concerning the ratio of the additional bets compared to the ante bet?

Jesse Shows:​ Yes, the ante sets the limit for your additional bets. All supplemental wagers must match the ante in size; players cannot choose to bet more or less. Whatever amount you place for your ante will determine the size of your other bets.

Question 6 - [02:07]

Michael Shackleford:​ When do players place their additional bets during the game?

Jesse Shows:​ Players actually will not see the dealer's up card or the community up card before making their additional bets. They'll need to rely on their instincts and the knowledge typical of a regular blackjack game to decide whether they want to hit or stand based on what the dealer shows.

Question 7 - [02:29]

Michael Shackleford: Can you explain the different supplemental bets available?

Jesse Shows:​ Certainly. The bets are focused on the first, second, and third flips, each corresponding to the number of cards the dealer reveals during play.

Question 8 - [02:41]

Michael Shackleford: ​Do you have any strategic tips for players who want to enhance their gameplay?

Jesse Shows: Definitely! It can be a bit daunting to play this game for the first time, so we have created a handy strategy card for players. This card will guide you on how to respond to every up card based on best practices. It's similar to the strategy cards found in casinos, detailing when to split or double down in traditional blackjack. We provide this card free of charge to ensure you have the information needed to make the best decisions according to the dealer's up card.

Question 9 - [03:08]

Michael Shackleford:​ What is the house edge for mathematically savvy players?

Jesse Shows:​ For the ante bet, the house edge is 2.69%. When factoring in the other betting options, this number can shift slightly, but the key takeaway is that the house edge for the ante is about 2.7% overall. For the fortune four bet, the setup gives a surprisingly low house edge of 1.57%, making it a great way to potentially hit a 100 to 1 payout, especially when betting a dollar, two dollars, or even five.

Michael Shackleford: Thank you very much, Jesse!

Jesse Shows:​ My pleasure, thank you.

Written by: Michael Shackleford