A Complete Guide To Chinese Blackjack

Posted: October 25, 2023

Updated: October 25, 2023

In spite of its Chinese name and connection to the Chinese New Year, the game of Chinese blackjack still follows the classic western game in that players are playing againgst the dealer to get to 21 without going over. However, it's a blackjack variation you might struggle to find in western waters.

Are you up for a game of blackjack with a unique Chinese twist? Chinese blackjack, also known as 21-point, ban-luck, or ban-nag, is a cherished tradition during the Chinese New Year. This festival is steeped in symbolism, and Chinese-style blackjack is a favorite way for families and friends to test their luck. While it’s not commonly found in online casino offerings, you can enjoy this game in Asian casinos. Interested in learning the ropes of this captivating blackjack variation? Then read on in the Gamingzion.com article that looks into all the most important aspects of the game.

Dealing The Cards

Chinese blackjack is typically played with one or two standard decks of 52 cards. One deck is used when there are four players or fewer, while two decks are employed for five or more players, with a maximum limit of 20 players. Before the game begins, all players must place a predetermined ante into the center of the table. A dealer is then chosen randomly. The dealer shuffles the deck, a player cuts it, and then the dealer deals two cards face-down to each player, including themselves. Unlike classic blackjack found in the best US online casino sites like Bovada Casino, the cards are reshuffled before each deal, and the dealer position rotates clockwise around the table.

Chinese Blackjack Gameplay

According to online gambling news from the US, the primary objective of this game is the same as classic blackjack: to build a hand with a value as close to 21 as possible (known as ban-luck or blackjack). Players can reveal their cards at any time to declare blackjack.

Unless a player has a blackjack or certain special combinations (more on those later), they can choose to hit, stand, double down, or split, just like in classic blackjack. However, there’s a crucial distinction: players must hit when their hand is 14 or less. The dealer plays the final hand and can compel players to reveal their cards for a showdown against the dealer’s hand. The dealer can do this multiple times before the ultimate showdown.

Chinese Blackjack Card Values

According to online gambling news in the US, the values of the cards in Chinese blackjack are consistent with classic blackjack, except for aces. The value of an ace depends on the total number of cards in a player’s hand.

An ace in a two-card hand can be worth 10 or 11.
In a three-card hand, an ace can be worth 1 or 10.
An ace in a four- or five-card hand is always worth 1.

Special Combinations

In traditional blackjack, a hand consisting of 2-2-2-3-ace adds up to 21, but that’s not the case in Chinese 21. However, it remains a winning hand due to its inclusion in the set of special combinations that add intrigue to the game.

These special combinations come in two varieties: five-card combinations and melds. A meld refers to a specific arrangement of designated cards within a player’s hand, and players have the liberty to reveal them at any time to gain various advantages.

No Man’s Land

If your initial two cards sum up to 15, you have the option to surrender your hand and receive a refund of your wager.

Ban-Luck

When your initial hand includes an ace along with a face card or a 10, it’s called Ban-Luck, which is equivalent to a blackjack and results in an immediate 2x payout. In case both the player and the dealer achieve Ban-Luck, the game ends in a tie.

Ban-Ban

A hand with two aces can be revealed to claim a 3x payout. It’s important to note that Ban-Ban outranks Ban-Luck.

Triple Seven

If you hold a pair of 7s, opt to hit on your turn, and receive a third 7, you’ve achieved a Triple Seven. This remarkable combination can earn you anywhere from 7x to 21x your original wager, depending on the specific house rules. In addition to melds, Chinese blackjack offers two distinct five-card combinations.

Five-Dragon

When you have four cards in your hand without going bust, you can reveal your hand and request a fifth card. If you go bust, you lose double your initial wager.

However, if you don’t go bust (and your hand doesn’t reach a total of 21), you’ve obtained the Five-Dragon, which results in a 2x payout. Be cautious, though: If the dealer manages to get a non-blackjack Five-Dragon, all players lose and must pay 2x their original wager.

Five-21

If you decide to request a fifth card and your hand adds up to 21, it’s known as the Five-21, resulting in an immediate 3x payout. But what happens when the dealer obtains a Five-21? As you might have guessed, it spells bad news for all players, who must surrender and pay the dealer 3x their initial wagers.

Chinese Blackjack: Odds And Strategy

Clearly, the rules of Chinese 21 present a significantly distinct gaming experience, necessitating a departure from the strategies employed in classic blackjack. In this context, understanding the odds of Chinese blackjack becomes vital. Here’s some fundamental insight:

The likelihood of obtaining a Ban-Ban is +17757.
The probability of achieving Ban-Luck stands at +1970.
The chances of starting with a hand totaling between 17 and 20 points is +233.
The player’s odds of going bust if they decide to hit on 16 points are -163.
If a player refrains from hitting on 16 points, the dealer’s chance of winning increases to -201.

It’s evident that the risk of paying the dealer 3 times your wager makes the house edge in Chinese blackjack substantially higher than that in classic blackjack. The silver lining is that everyone gets the opportunity to take on the role of the dealer.

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