Retro Review: Radio Shack EC-21 (Blackjack Calculator)
Welcome to my birthday blog. 44 years today (March 14, 1977).
Quick Facts:
Models: EC-21
Company: Radio Shack
First Manufactured: 1978
Memory Register: 1 independent memory
Battery: 3 AAA
The Calculator and The Game
The Radio Shack EC-21 is a dual-purpose calculator: a 10-digit calculator and full blackjack game.
The Calculator
The calculator is a 10 digit, four function calculator with something extra: a parenthesis [ ( ) ] key. The parenthesis key allows the user to put certain calculations in higher priority. The calculator operates in chain mode, the order of operations is not taken into consideration.
Example:
2 x (3 + 9) = 24
Keystrokes: 2 [ x ] [ ( ) ] 3 [ + ] 9 [ ( ) ] [ = ]
The calculator has a square root function, but it does not have a memory register.
The Game: Blackjack
In GAME mode, the EC-21 is a one player blackjack game. It is you against the house. The house stands on 17 - 21.
Enter a bet and press the [ √ ] (BET) key. You are not limited in bankroll. Once you place the bet, the screen shows all zeroes as the calculator shuffles a deck of 52 playing cards. Kings, queens, jacks, and tens are shown on the display as an F (face card). Aces, shown by an A, count as either 1 or 11. The ace is counted to the player's best benefit.
If you get a blackjack (Ace and a Face card) you automatically win, the payout is 3:2.
The game keys are:
[ = ] (HIT): Hit: The player takes a hit. Be careful, going over 21 will cause you to bust and lose the game.
[ - ] (INS): Insurance: If the Dealer's up card is an Ace, you can take insurance, which is half of your bet. If you take Insurance and the Dealer has a blackjack (Ace and a Face card), you lose only half your bet.
[ + ] (STD): Stand. Press this key when you decide to take no more cards.
[ ÷ ] (SPL): Split. If you are dealt a pair, you can split your cards into two hands. If you split aces, you only get one more card per ace. In this case, any 21 pays off at 1:1.
[ × ] (DBL): Double Down. If you have strong starting hand, such as a 10 or 11 against a Dealer's favorable up card, you can double your bet for one more card.
After each hand, press the total key ( [ ( ) ] (TOL) ) to check your earnings.
Keyboard
The keyboard has a solid feel. However, the keys require a firm press to register. I have the best luck of holding the calculator in my hand. In my experience, laying the keyboard down flat did not allow me to register all the keys, particular the zero key. If wish the keys were not hard to press. It may be the luck of the draw when I made the purchase.
I love the colors: green for the number keys, red of the clear keys, blue for the function keys.
Verdict
The calculator is stored in a beautiful leather case, and the green display is awesome. I also like the two-in-one calculator/game. I wish the keyboard is better, but buying it is not expensive, and I am happy to have this in my collection.
Source:
Flow Simulation, Ltd. "Radio Shack EC-21 (Blackjack 21)" Retrieved January 22, 2021. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_334462
National Museum of American History Behring Center. "Radio Shack EC-21 Handheld Electronic Calculator, Blackjack" Washington D.C. Retrieved January 23, 2021. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_334462
Eddie
All original content copyright, © 2011-2021. Edward Shore. Unauthorized use and/or unauthorized distribution for commercial purposes without express and written permission from the author is strictly prohibited. This blog entry may be distributed for noncommercial purposes, provided that full credit is given to the author.
