11 May 2025
Asian Blackjack, more specifically known as Chinese Blackjack or Ban-Luck, brings a unique twist to the classic card game, mixing together elements of traditional blackjack with Southeast Asian culture.
Dive into this unique blackjack variant by reading our article and learning about the following points:
- Chinese Blackjack: Introduction
- How to Play Chinese Blackjack
- Cultural Significance
Experience a whole new way to enjoy blackjack by giving this game a try in top-performing casinos.
Chinese Blackjack: Introduction
Also known as 21-point, Chinese Blackjack or ban-luck (Hokkien), ban-nag (Cantonese), and xì dách (Vietnamese), is a Southeast Asian card game resembling conventional blackjack. The name Ban-Luck is what their Blackjack card hand (Ace + 10/J/Q/K) is called.
How to Play Chinese Blackjack
While the primary goal of this blackjack variant is the same as traditional or live blackjack, there are some changes made to the values of the Ace in counting points, as shown below.
|
Chinese Blackjack Point Counts | |||
|
K, Q, J |
10 | ||
|
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 |
Face Value | ||
|
If the total number of cards is 2 |
Ace is 11 or 10 | ||
|
If the total number of cards is 3 |
Ace is 10 or 1 | ||
|
If the total number of cards is 4 or 5 |
Ace is 1 |
Special Combinations in Chinese Blackjack
Unlike traditional blackjack, Ban-luck comes with its own special card combinations, which the players and dealer may look out for. These come with their own names, card combinations, and results:
|
Special Combinations | |||||
|
Name |
Cards |
Result | |||
|
Ban-Ban |
Ace + Ace |
Players win triple their bet from the dealer, unless the dealer has a ban-ban or a free hand. | |||
|
Ban-Luck |
Ace + 10/J/Q/K |
Players win double their bet from the dealer, unless the dealer has a ban-ban, a ban-luck, or a free hand. | |||
|
Free Hand |
15 Points |
If the dealer has a free hand, they may decide to continue or not. If the game is not continued, the cards are collected and reshuffled for the next game. | |||
|
7-7-7 |
A pair of 7’s and another 7 as the third card. |
If a player has these cards, they win their bet 21-fold, but if the dealer has a hand of 21, then this is called off. | |||
The Player’s Turn
After you have checked for blackjack or any of the special combinations, each player may make the following decisions depending on the game:
|
Total less than 16 |
Hit | ||
|
Total greater than or equal to 16 |
Hit or Stand | ||
|
Total greater equal to 21 |
Stand | ||
|
Total greater than 21 |
Bust |
In Chinese Blackjack, it is not uncommon to have more than two cards in a player’s hand. If the player’s hand contains 5 cards, they must reveal their cards. These may also yield different results depending on the hand:
|
5-Dragon |
Collect winning prize from the dealer, double the bet. | ||
|
5 cards equal to 21 |
Collect winning prize from the dealer, triple the bet. | ||
|
5 cards greater than 21 |
Bust, lose double the bet to the dealer. |
The Dealer’s Turn
After all the players have done their actions, the dealer may then make their decision depending on their hand. In Chinese Blackjack, the dealer may hit more than one card. There are also various results that may occur depending on the dealer’s hand:
|
Dealer’s Hand |
Action | ||
|
Total < 16 |
Hit | ||
|
Total >= 16, but < 21 |
Hit or Reveal Some Player’s Hands | ||
|
Total = 21 |
Reveal All Player’s Hands | ||
|
Total > 21 |
Bust | ||
|
5-Dragon |
Collect wins from players, double all bets. | ||
|
5 and total = 21 |
Collect wins from players, triple all bets. | ||
|
5 and total > 21 |
Lose to players whose hands are not revealed, double all bets. | ||
|
If the dealer does NOT bust: | |||
|
Player busts or total of dealer > total of layer |
Dealer wins the bet. | ||
|
Total of dealer = Total of player |
Tie. | ||
|
Total of dealer < Total of player |
Player wins. |
If the dealer busts, then they must pay all players their bets unless the player also busts. After the dealer has settled all bets, the cards are collected and reshuffled for the new round.
Cultural Significance of Chinese Blackjack
Ban-luck is more than just a card game, it has become a cultural tradition, especially during Chinese New Year. Each new year is believed to bring fresh luck, so the people believe that playing the game may bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year. Family and friends then gather to enjoy the game as a yearly social activity.
Chinese Blackjack: A Refreshing Asian Variant
If you have been looking for a culturally rich blackjack experience, then you’ll greatly enjoy Chinese Blackjack’s unique rules and special hands. These bring on exciting challenges to players that are looking for something new.
Mix in some spice to your blackjack journey by adding this engaging casino card game to your must-play list!
