No Bust Blackjack Rules Explained – Win Smarter, Not Harder

No bust blackjack is a special version of blackjack when you don’t lose if your cards go over 21. This rule makes the game feel less scary because you don't have to worry about losing right away. But even though you’re safe by busting, the dealer still has an advantage and wins if their points are higher than yours.

So, to do well at no bust blackjack, you will need to learn some new strategies, which will help you win more often in this version. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know for playing like a pro.

No Bust Blackjack Explained

No Bust Blackjack is a variation of traditional Blackjack where players cannot lose immediately by exceeding 21 points. Instead, if a hand totals more than 21, the excess points are subtracted from 21, creating a new, lower total (e.g., 23 becomes 2). This rule allows players to take more risks when hitting but also means the dealer benefits from the same no-bust advantage, making strategic adjustments crucial for success.

This version is especially popular in California, where it’s often called California No Bust Blackjack. Some people also refer to it as No Bust 21st Century Blackjack.

How It Works When You Go Over 21

Here’s an example of how the game works in No Bust Blackjack to help you understand the gameplay and how it functions:

Let's say you start with a total of 18 and you decide to draw another card (Hit). The next card you get is a 5, so now your total is 23.

But in No Bust Blackjack, you don't lose the game when you go over 21. Instead, your total "resets", so 23 becomes 2 because 23 - 21 = 2. Now, your new total is 2 and you have the choice to either draw more cards (Hit) or stop and keep your current total (Stand).

What happens next:

After your hand resets to a lower total, you can continue playing as usual. You also can choose to Hit or Stand, just like in regular Blackjack. The game keeps going and you still aim to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. You also want to make sure that your total is higher than the dealer's total to win the game.

Benefits and strategy:

The reset rule gives you extra chances to improve your hand, especially if you started with a low total. This can be really helpful if you're in a tough spot.

However, remember that the dealer also benefits from this rule. So, you’ll need to think carefully about when to draw more cards or when to stop to make the best choice and increase your chances of winning.

Why the No Bust Strategy Is Disadvantageous?

While no bust blackjack may seem simple to play, it carries its own set of risks. You can see that the main goal is to avoid exceeding 21, but the dealer only goes over 21 about 28.36% of the time. This means the chances of the dealer busting are relatively low, which leads to the game’s design limiting your strategies' effectiveness.

Additionally, avoiding hitting in some situations can make it easier for you to lose because of missing chances to increase your total points, making this version a worse choice than classic blackjack.

Because of these factors, it’s essential to thoroughly understand the rules before deciding to play no bust blackjack. So this will inside out help you play confidently and avoid costly mistakes.

No Bust Blackjack Rules

No bust blackjack offers a twist on the classic game, with rules designed to keep you in play even when your total exceeds 21. But how does it really work? Read on to discover the rules that can help you master this unique version.

Playing Rules

Deck Composition:

• Decks: Six 53-card decks, each containing one joker.
• Jokers: Jokers are wild. When combined with any other card(s), they are worth 21 points and you must stand.

Hand Rankings and Naturals:

• Naturals: The strongest hands are called ‘Naturals’, which consist of either two jokers, two aces, or a joker and an ace. Naturals automatically win against all other hands, including regular 21-point hands made with an Ace and a 10-point card.
• Ace and 10-point card: Counts as 21 points but is not higher than other 21-point hands.

Joker-Specific Rules:

• Joker advantage: If you have 2 jokers and the dealer doesn't, you win with a 2 to 1 payout.
• Dealer’s joker up: If the dealer's face-up card is a joker, they must reveal their face-down card right away.
• Dealer’s joker down: If the dealer’s face-down card is a joker, you only lose the original bet, while doubling and splitting results in a push.

Other Gameplay Rules:

• Dealer hits on soft 17: The dealer draws a card when they have a Soft 17.
• Surrender: Permitted with any 2 cards, unless the dealer has a joker showing face-up.
• Double down after split: You are allowed to double your bet after splitting.
• Split hands: You can divide your cards into up to 3 hands.
• Player-dealer bust tie: If both you and the dealer exceed 21, the winner is determined by who has the lower adjusted total. If both totals are the same, it results in a push.
• Player-dealer bust player win: If both you and the dealer exceed 21, and your adjusted total is equal to or higher than the dealer's, you win..
• Banking structure: Every player has the option to be the dealer, but you can refuse if you prefer.

Banking Rules

Here are the main points of the banking rules in No Bust Blackjack:

• The banker can only win the amount they put into the bank.
• The corporation helps by covering any other bets and follows a special strategy when playing.
• If the player-banker doesn't have enough money to cover all the bets, the corporation will pay the rest.
• The action marker shows who the dealer should pay or collect money from, simplifying the process for everyone at the table.
• The player-banker can buy extra action from the corporation to place bigger bets, adding flexibility to the game.
• The Kum-kum option lets the banker share their money with other players or the corporation if needed.
• Second banking means other players help cover extra bets if the player-banker can't.
• The bank option rotates around the table unless all players decline the opportunity to act as the banker.
• Players can only be the banker in a spot where they have already placed a bet.

Betting Rules

You can check out the following points, which clearly explain the betting rules in this game:

• Betting range: You can bet anywhere from $10 to $600 for each hand, but you have to pay a $1 fee for every $100 they bet.
• Fee collection: The $1 fee for every $100 bet is rounded to the nearest dollar and this extra money goes to the house.
• Banker fee: The $1 fee for every $100 bet is rounded to the nearest dollar. For instance, a $150 bet incurs a $2 fee, which goes to the house.
• Rotation of banking option: The option to be the banker moves around the table. The player-banker can play two hands before passing the turn to the next player.
• Player-banker vs. other players: When acting as the banker, you use the dealer’s cards to try to outsmart and beat the other players. 

Naturals or the Best Hands

When you have 2 Jokers, 2 Aces or 1 Joker and 1 Ace, it's called a "Natural" with winning right away and beating all other 21 combinations.

For example, if you have two jokers, your hand will still win against the dealer’s hand, even if the dealer has cards that total 21 (e.g., a 5, 9, and 7).

Step-by-Step Process for Playing a Game of No Bust Blackjack

Are you ready to learn how to play No Bust Blackjack? Let’s walk through the following steps together, so you’ll know exactly what to do next time you sit down at the table:

Step 1: Place Your Bet:

You must place a mandatory wager before the cards are dealt, with table limits usually between $10 and $600.

Step 2: Cards Are Dealt:

The dealer gives 2 cards to each player. The dealer's hand has one face-up card and one face-down card.

Step 3: Evaluate Your Hand:

• If the dealer’s upcard is a Joker, they immediately reveal their whole card. This results in an automatic total of 21 for the dealer and any player hand below 21 automatically loses.
• If the dealer’s upcard is not a Joker, the game proceeds as usual.

Step 4: Decide on Your Actions:

• Hit or Stand: Draw more cards to improve your total or stand to keep your current total.
• Double Down: You can double your bet after splitting by placing an additional wager equal to your original bet.
• Split: If dealt a pair, you can re-split up to three times.
• Surrender: You can surrender and lose half your bet, but not if the dealer’s upcard is a Joker.

Step 5: Dealer Plays Their Hand:

The dealer reveals their hole card and plays according to standard rules, including hitting on soft 17. If the dealer’s hand includes a Joker, they automatically total 21 unless they also have bust-adjusted totals.

Step 6: Special Joker Rule:

If the dealer’s upcard is a Joker, the following occurs:

• They automatically total 21.
• Player hands below 21 lose their initial bets.
• Doubled-down and split bets result in a push if the dealer’s Joker wins.
• If the dealer busts, the hand with the lower bust-adjusted total wins.

Step 7: Determine the Winner:

• The player or dealer with the hand closest to 21 wins.
• If both the player and dealer bust, the winner is determined by the lower bust-adjusted total (e.g., a bust of 22 beats a bust of 24).
• If the dealer has a Joker, players lose only their ante, while doubled or split bets are pushed.

Step 8: Collect Winnings or Replay:

Winning hands are paid out by the banker (designated player). Doubled-down or split bets are pushed if the dealer shows a Joker. And you can decide whether or not to play again in the next round.

No Bust Strategy Chart

The No Bust Strategy Chart helps guide decisions and minimize your risk of losing

Notes for playing No Bust Blackjack

There are things you should and shouldn't do in gambling, no matter what game you're playing. So, your job is to assess the situation and learn how to make the most of it. Here are some helpful notes you should know to increase your chances of winning big in No Bust Blackjack:

• Make the most of being the dealer: Being the dealer in No Bust Blackjack offers a unique opportunity to balance your odds, as you win ties and have control over the payouts. However, acting as the dealer doesn’t guarantee profits, and your results depend on bankroll management and how well you handle bets.
• Double down with 9, 10, or 11: This action can work well because the most common card in the deck is a 10, giving you a good chance of getting a strong hand and increasing your chances of winning.
• 21-point strategy: If you're close to 21, the best move is not to take another card. Since many cards are worth 10, it's safer to stay if you have 12 or more. But if your hand is lower, just hit to improve it without the risk of busting.
• Use the No Bust strategy chart: Using the strategy chart for Hard Hands, Soft Hands, and Pairs can significantly improve your gameplay. For example:
• With a Hard 16 against a dealer’s 10, it’s better to hit.
• With a Soft 18 against a dealer’s 7, hitting can give you a better chance of improving your total.
• By sticking to the chart, you can achieve an RTP as high as 99.56%.

Conclusion

No Bust Blackjack is a beloved Blackjack variant that has captured the attention of players worldwide. While this gameplay can certainly give you an edge, you must remember that the casino always holds the upper hand in the long run.

But who knows? You might just get lucky and find yourself on a winning streak! That’s the thrill of gambling. Good luck and always remember to gamble responsibly!