21 Burn Blackjack at Online Casinos

Stefan Weber

7 min read

21 Burn Blackjack, or simply Burn Blackjack for short, fulfills a long-held wish of fans of the classic card game, and it looks something like this. You know that moment when you receive a strong first card, like a Queen, and look forward to a promising hand? And then that second card is a five or six? The disappointment is great, and you want to fold; that is unless you're playing 21 Burn Blackjack.

That's because what this variant offers is the unique opportunity to "burn" the second card of that starting hand - as in discard it - for another chance with a new second card. Of course, this is not free. Anyone who wants to exchange their second card for a new one has to pay half their original stake. So if you'd bet $1 on your hand, you'd need to add another $0.50 to the pot to proceed.

Other than that, 21 Burn plays like traditional blackjack, so this is what we'd call an exciting spin on a standard game.

Best of all, it's a special opportunity afforded online. That is, as attractive as it is as a concept, land-based casinos for whatever reason don't carry 21 Burn Blackjack games. But plenty of online casinos do, including the two leading versions which are the original game from Betsoft, as well as one created by Nucleus Gaming thereafter.

Table of Contents

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⏱The brands and bonuses above were last updated on 20. February, 2025. We test and check casinos regularly to provide up-to-date information. However, there may still be instances where there may be differences between a casino's newest offering and the listing on this site.

21 Burn Blackjack Basics

At its core, the 21 Burn Blackjack game is a standard version of blackjack, with one main exception. That is its special rule that allows you to exchange the second card that you've been dealt in your starting hand for a new one, for a fee of half your original bet.

When you opt to do this, the "burned" card is removed from the game and is replaced by a third card that was dealt face down on the table at the beginning of the round.

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Of course, you hope to improve your hand in making this swap, but realistically the new card can just as easily make things worse. In fact, the burn bet has a high house edge, meaning it's statistically disadvantageous.

So the odds of improving your hand enough to offset the cost of the burn bet are low. As such, it is extremely important to think carefully about whether and when to make this exchange.

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Besides potentially building a better hand, when you go the 'Burn' route, you can also get a special payout if the new second card you receive is an Ace.

However, it's not just any Ace that will get you the bonus. If the card you get after burning is the Ace of spades, you'll receive a payout of 7:1 on your burn bet. If the card you get after burning is any other Ace (hearts, diamonds, or clubs), you'll receive a payout of 2:1 on your burn bet.

Of course, mathematically speaking, this burn part of the bet is not a particularly lucrative business, even with this additional perk. Aces after all only make up 1/13 of the deck, which keeps the probability of winning correspondingly low. In addition, a blackjack is only paid out 1:1 instead of the usual 3:2, so that's something to consider as well.

Rules and special features

• The burn feature allows you to exchange your second card for a new one
• The game is played with six decks
• Up to three hands can be played at a time
• Dealer hits on a soft 17
• Insurance against a blackjack is possible if the dealer has an ace - pays 2:1
• All starting hands can be doubled
• Splitting is allowed once
• Doubling after the split is allowed
• Blackjack pays 1:1
• After a split, no more cards can be exchanged
• No late surrender
• RTP is 99.46% or 99.5% (according to Betsoft)

Note, overall the house edge is considered quite low in this game. However, the relatively high RTP is achievable only if you play with perfect basic strategy and know when to burn your second card.

Play 21 Burn Blackjack for Free

21 Burn Blackjack is a unique variant of the card game classic that offers new opportunities for exciting decisions. But with these additional opportunities come new risks - pitfalls that can cost you money in the long run.

As such, in order to minimize the risks, we highly recommend not only following the strategies outlined here in terms of when to make the swap and how to play your cards, but also taking advantage of 21 Burn free play.

This is the perfect way to give the game a "test drive", and it couldn't be easier. In fact, you don't even need to register at an online casino to do so. You can simply play right here from this very 21 Burn Blackjack review, for free and with zero obligation, without even refreshing the page.

21 Burn Blackjack - Demo Mode

By pressing on "Play", I understand that I will be shown content from Nucleus Gaming. Nucleus Gaming

Play 21 Burn Blackjack at Playamo

When to Burn (i.e. Exchange) Your Second Card

To understand when burning your second card makes sense, we need to consider various factors - in particular the probabilities of the burn "side bet". We put the phrase side bet in quotation marks, by the way, because it's not quite a side bet in the classical sense of the term.

Rather, the burn option is directly tied to your main blackjack hand. That is, it's a decision you make about your existing hand, not a separate wager on a different outcome, though the Ace bit, can sort of be seen as a side bet outcome, but that's a slightly different matter.

In any event, if you look at this burn option in isolation, it's not very lucrative. In fact, it's downright bad, with a whopping 67.31% house edge.

This means, for the most part, it is not advisable to risk another 50% on top of your original bet to make it. The odds just don't justify it. At least not in most cases. But things get more complex when you consider that by burning or exchanging your second card, your hand can improve. And this is exactly where the crux of the matter lies.

In order for burning your card to make sense, the improvement to your hand must be so strong (and likely) that it at least compensates for the negative house advantage of adding such a significant sum to your bet.

Such a situation only occurs when your first card is particularly strong. Therefore, in the burn strategy table we've put together for you below, we've only addressed hands in which the first card is an 8, 9, 10, face card, or Ace. In all other cases, the risk of exchanging your second card would be significantly higher than the potential benefit, so we'd say don't even bother considering it.

8 as a 1st card9 as a 1st card10 or face card as a 1st cardAce as a 1st card

	Dealer's Up Card
Player's 2nd Card		2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ace
	2	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
	3	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
	4	N	N	N	N	N	Y	N	N	N	N
	5	N	N	N	N	N	Y	N	N	N	N
	6	N	N	N	N	N	Y	Y	N	N	N
	7	N	N	N	N	N	Y	Y	N	N	N
	8	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
	9	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
	10	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
	Ace	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

	Dealer's Up Card
Player's 2nd Card		2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ace
	2	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
	3	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	N	N
	4	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	N
	5	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y
	6	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	7	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	8	N	N	N	N	N	N	Y	Y	N	Y
	9	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
	10	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
	Ace	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

	Dealer's Up Card
Player's 2nd Card		2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ace
	2	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	3	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	4	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	5	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	6	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	7	Y	N	N	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	8	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
	9	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
	10	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
	Ace	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

	Dealer's Up Card
Player's 2nd Card		2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ace
	2	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	3	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	4	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	5	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	6	Y	Y	Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
	7	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	Y	Y	Y
	8	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
	9	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
	10	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
	Ace	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N

Legend: Y = Yes, burn your second card and get new on. N = No, keep your second card and continue playing / Note: face cards also count as a 10 value.

21 Burn Blackjack Basic Strategy

To make the most of your Burn Blackjack play, you're going to want to first master basic blackjack strategy. Basic strategy is a mathematically proven set of rules that tells you the best action (as in hit, stand, double down, or split) to take based on your hand and the dealer's up card. Its goal is to keep the house edge as low as possible.

Ideally, you should memorize basic strategy so you're adept at what to do next. Or you can keep the card chart we've provided below open in a separate tab in your browser as you sit at the virtual table, to help you out at a glance, whenever you need.

Hard HandSoft HandPairs

	Dealer's Up Card
Player's hand		2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ace
	5 to 8	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
	9	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
	10	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
	11	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
	12	H	H	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
	13	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
	14	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
	15	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
	16	S	S	S	S	S	H	H	H	H	H
	17+	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

	Dealer's Up Card
Player's hand		2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ace
	A,2	H	H	H	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
	A,3	H	H	H	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
	A,4	H	H	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
	A,5	H	H	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
	A,6	H	D	D	D	D	H	H	H	H	H
	A,7	D	D	D	D	D	S	S	H	H	H
	A,8	S	S	S	S	D	S	S	S	S	S
	A,9	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

	Dealer's Up Card
Player's hand		2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Ace
	2,2	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	H	H	H	H
	3,3	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	H	H	H	H
	4,4	H	H	H	Sp	Sp	H	H	H	H	H
	5,5	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	H	H
	6,6	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	H	H	H	H	H
	7,7	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	H	H	H	H
	8,8	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	H	H
	9,9	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	S	Sp	Sp	S	S
	10,10	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
	Ace,Ace	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp	Sp

Legend: H = hit, S = stand, Sp = split, D = double down / Note: face cards also count as a 10-point value.

Beyond this card playing strategy chart, which is super important to helping you improve the outcome of each hand, it's important to remember that in 21 Burn Blackjack there's an additional decision. That is, before the basic strategy is even applied, you must decide whether or not to "burn" the second card of your starting hand, with the chart above being a useful guide in making this choice.

Only after you've done that and are playing out your hand (whether with your initial second card or a new one) will you move on to the basic blackjack strategy table to guide you.

Different Versions of 21 Burn Blackjack from Various Online Providers

As far as we can tell, while 21 Burn Blackjack was developed by Betsoft, it is not necessarily copyrighted. That is, despite doing a quick search, we were not able to find any trademark registration, though we're not legal experts.

That being said, 21 Burn is only offered by Nucleus Gaming and Betsoft, two companies that belong to the same group.

Whatever the intellectual property status and whatever these two software developers' relationship is, the reality is, they are the only two studios that we know of that have created versions of this game. So it's still super unique.

Also, perhaps reflecting on their relationship, the only difference between the two variants is their design. Other than that the rules and even payout odds are exactly the same.

• 
  Here you can see the 21 Burn Blackjack by Betsoft interface.
• 
  This is the design created by Nucleus Gaming

Play at Lucky Dreams

21 Burn Blackjack Tips and Tricks

The possibility of burning a card makes this variant more complex than many other blackjack games. While this choice certainly brings variety and additional fun to your gambling, it also presents you with new challenges, yet encountered in traditional play.

As such, for a smoother start, we again recommend you first get to know the game in free play mode. This is the perfect way to practice the new dimensions of the game, and familiarize yourself with the basic strategy, first hand.

You'll also want to make the right decisions about when to use that burn option which means you need to always keep in mind:

• When it makes sense "statistically" to swap your second card (you can refer to our 21 Burn card exchange table above for tips on that).
• How to play optimally after the exchange (this time following our 21 Burn Blackjack basic strategy chart).

Both strategy tables can, and should, be consulted before making any decision. Doing so allows you to master the game step by step.

Also, it's important to remember that the burn option is costly, at an extra 50% added to your bet. This means you need to consider the expense, regardless of strategy.

Furthermore, even with perfect play, Burn Blackjack is still a game of chance, and the casino always has an advantage. As such, to keep the game fun in the long term, good bankroll management is crucial. This means setting loss limits and stopping when things aren't going well. This way you can enjoy your winnings even more on the occasions that luck goes your way, and get the most out of this unique card game play.

More Blackjack Tips & Tricks

21 Burn Blackjack FAQs

1. At which casinos can I play the 21 Burn Blackjack game?
2. Can you count cards when playing 21 Burn Blackjack?
3. When is the deck reshuffled in 21 Burn Blackjack?
4. What is the house edge in 21 Burn Blackjack?
5. What are the odds when playing 21 Burn Blackjack?
6. How to play 21 Burn Blackjack?
7. Is 21 Burn similar to Blackjack Switch?
8. Are there any side bets available in the 21 Burn Blackjack game?

1. At which casinos can I play the 21 Burn Blackjack game?

We are currently unaware of any land-based casinos that offer 21 Burn Blackjack, though it's possible they exist. Instead we'd say your best bet is to enjoy this game at any one of our recommended 21 Burn Blackjack online casinos.

These are all vetted operators that offer this unique twist on the classic card game from either Betsoft or Nucleus Gaming software (or both). They're also of course all legally operating, have fair games with RNGs, good bonuses, and all the other elements we'd expect from a casino our expert team recommends.

2. Can you count cards when playing 21 Burn Blackjack?

No, unfortunately card counting is not possible. 21 Burn Blackjack is an online version of the game, or what some would call an RNG blackjack variant. This means that the results are determined by a random number generator, and no real cards are dealt. Accordingly, the cards in play are "shuffled" back in immediately after the round and can therefore theoretically be dealt again in the next hand.

3. When is the deck reshuffled in 21 Burn Blackjack?

Since the results are determined by a random generator, you could strictly say that there is no "shuffling" in this game. But let's not take the term too literally; as the cards are technically "reshuffled" after each round.

By this we mean that the cards dealt in the current round can reappear in the next round. So as an example, even if all the Aces of spades are dealt in one round, all six Aces of spades (since this is a six-deck game) will be available again in the "deck" in the next round. This is great for building blackjack hands, and also for creating those special 7:1 Ace of spade payouts for burn bets, if you've chosen that route.

4. What is the house edge in 21 Burn Blackjack?

When playing 21 Burn Blackjack with perfect basic strategy and avoiding the burn bet, the house edge is estimated to be around 0.54%. This is a relatively low house edge, making it a decent game for players who stick to basic strategy.

The burn bet itself, however, has a significantly higher house edge, estimated to be around 67.31%. This means that every time you make the burn bet, you're significantly increasing the house's advantage.

5. What are the odds when playing 21 Burn Blackjack?

Separate from return to player or house edge is the concept of odds, or payouts in blackjack. In this version of the game they are:

• 1:1 for blackjack
• 2:1 for insurance
• 7:1 for an Ace of spades burn card
• 2:1 for any other Ace burn card
• 1:1 for a win

6. How to play 21 Burn Blackjack?

The gameplay of 21 Burn Blackjack is actually quite unique. At the beginning of each round, you'll be dealt two cards face up for each hand you're playing (you can play up to 3 hands at a time), plus a third facedown card in the area slightly above your hand. This facedown card is then moved faceup into your hand, if you choose to burn your second card.

That's it really. Other than deciding if you want to make the swap, the game plays like any traditional variant.

7. Is 21 Burn similar to Blackjack Switch?

The concept of swapping cards in 21 Burn Blackjack is somewhat similar to that of Blackjack Switch, however, it works a little differently in each version.

In Blackjack Switch you play two hands simultaneously, each with its own bet, and then swap the top card of each hand, giving you the ability to potentially create better hands. In 21 Burn Blackjack, you can discard your second card for a fee of half your bet and receive a new card, making it about potentially improving your existing hand by replacing a card.

Both are interesting with their own advantages, and both we'd say are worth playing.

8. Are there any side bets available in the 21 Burn Blackjack game?

Unfortunately, 21 Burn Blackjack typically doesn't include any additional side bet options beyond the "burn" bet itself.

If you're looking for blackjack games with a variety of side bets, you might want to explore other blackjack variants, such as Perfect Pairs or 21+3 versions of the game.

21 Burn Blackjack Summary

While 21 Burn Blackjack isn't the most strategically advantageous game, it is without a doubt appealing for a number of reasons.

The most obvious of them is the novelty factor. That is, the "burn" option adds a unique twist to the classic blackjack formula. For players looking for something different, this novelty can be enticing, breaking up the routine of standard blackjack, and offering a new decision to consider.

Some players also like the sense of control it delivers. Even though it can be statistically unfavorable, the burn option gives you the feeling you have the power to change your hand, which can be exciting, especially when they feel you have a bad hand to start; i.e. it's like a second chance.

While rare, burning a card can also sometimes lead to a significantly better hand, including a blackjack. This potential for a dramatic turnaround can be attractive as well.

And then of course, there's the entertainment value. After all, ultimately, gambling is about having fun, and it's totally reasonable that some players might simply enjoy the extra layer of complexity and excitement that the burn option adds to the game.

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21 Burn Blackjack was tested and reviewed by Stefan Weber

I'm lucky enough to have found both my job and my calling on the internet. As the online marketing manager for a major sportsbook, I began in the online gambling business over a decade ago. The business has been good to me and I love the dynamics of the industry. A blackjack enthusiast myself, I try to provide articles that combine practicalities with the strategic elegance of the game in a way that both rookies and experienced players can appreciate. And when I can, I like to spend my free time on live streaming platforms such as Twitch and Kick.