BLUFF, STRATEGIZE, CONQUER
Meet 21 Bluff – the party game ready to redefine game night
Move over Cards Against Humanity, Uno and Exploding Kittens—there’s a new contender for the ultimate game night favorite! Enter 21 Bluff, the party game that’s taking the card table by storm. Created by Jesse Schwartz and Spencer Karls, this isn’t just another twist on blackjack. It’s a high-stakes, bluff-filled showdown where strategy and deception rule the day.
With its unique blend of blackjack-inspired gameplay and cunning mind games, 21 Bluff is all about outsmarting your friends, taking risks and mastering the art of bluffing your way to victory. Whether you’re vying for bragging rights or just in it for the laughs, this game promises endless fun and unforgettable moments.
But don’t just take our word for it—21 Bluff is already gaining a following from big names, including top NFL players, and has an exciting giveaway featuring a signed copy of the game by none other than Isiah Pacheco.
Casino Player had the chance to sit down with the creative minds behind 21 Bluff, Jesse Schwartz and Spencer Karls, to learn more about how they turned their bold vision into reality and why they believe this game will redefine your next game night.
CP: What inspired the creation of 21 Bluff?
QS & SK: About a year ago, Spencer visited Jesse in Florida. One night, they planned to go to the Hard Rock Casino for a night of blackjack.
Having a few drinks at Jesse’s apartment, they opened a deck of playing cards and began playing heads-up blackjack. Since blackjack favors the house, they began creating fun rules to balance the game while also raising the stakes—alternating dealer, not showing the opponent their cards, allowing for pre-betting by doubling or splitting their hand.
They played blackjack that night but kept thinking about this new game they created. The next day, they played their initial version of 21 BIuP for seven hours straight and were hooked on this fun, wilder version of blackjack that didn’t require them to go to the casino.
How did you come up with the concept of combining blackjack with bluffing and strategy?
Each round of 21 Bluff is worth 1 point and the first to 21 points wins. However, to raise the stakes, players can choose to double or split their hand (splitting rules follow normal casino rules, e.g., splitting 8’s).
Spencer loves to double everything and we wanted to encourage this bold, somewhat crazy behavior. In 21 Bluff, when Player 1 offers a “double,” Player 2 can either accept the “double” (hand is now worth 2 points), or concede the hand (Player 1 earns 1 point because Player 2 is essentially folding their hand).
It became more than just heads-up blackjack—it became a game within itself with Jesse trying to read Spencer’s face to see if he was offering a true double (i.e., 1 0 or 1 1) or if he was bluffing and doubling a crazy hand, like a 14.
How does 21 Bluff appeal to casino enthusiasts who are already fans of blackjack, and what unique experience does it bring to the table?
21 Bluff is a fun and fast ‘play anywhere’ game that is essentially a wilder twist on blackjack. It has the competitive familiar play of blackjack but amps it up with a different energy, and tons of laughs amongst friends. Usually we typically play $1 or $2 per point; however, there is no limit to how you can bet on the game. 21 Bluff combines the basic strategy of bluffing with the pre-flop betting action of poker.
Bluffing and reading opponents are central to 21 Bluff. How do these elements compare to the skills players use in traditional casino games like poker or blackjack?
To succeed in 21 Bluff, a strong poker face is key. Confidently doubling wild hands is an easy way to score quick points. But it can backfire when your opponent calls your bluff.The bluffing aspect of this game makes for a lot of laughs and trash-talking at the table amongst friends and family.
Do you see 21 Bluff as a potential bridge for casual players to develop an interest in more traditional casino games?
21 Bluff is a fun way to learn the basic strategy of blackjack without feeling intimidated by sitting with strangers at a casino. The biggest fears of casual players is to lose money or look silly at the table— hitting/staying at the wrong time, not knowing how splitting/doubling works, etc.—and 21 BIuP is an easy, fun way to learn blackjack in the comfort of your home. The beauty of 21 Bluff is you can play casually without money or make it a high-stakes at-home game. It’s up to the players to decide how they want to play.
How do you envision 21 Bluff fitting into the broader gaming culture, and what type of players do you think will enjoy it the most?
21 Bluff appeals to both the absolute novice and the seasoned gambler. It can be a family game with no monetary bets and lots of laughter and fun, or a whale can host a game with high-stakes action (and still lots of laughter and fun).
Currently, Jesse is in Miami and Spencer is in Montreal, and the two play 21 Bluff virtually over a FaceTime call several times a week.
In the future, we are excited about an online digital version, as well as the game entering online casinos for virtual play.
