Apart from the classic version of blackjack online, there are also countless other interesting variants stemming from the original game. Spanish 21 with its own particular set of rules is a variant that deserves recognition which is why we’ve written this article, completely devoted to the fabulous and exciting game of Spanish 21. After reading our Spanish 21 guide, we guarantee you’ll wish to give this game a try! Without further ado, here’s our guide that goes through its rules and Spanish 21 blackjack strategy. We even point out a selection of online casinos where you can play this casino game. Let’s jump right in.
What is Spanish 21 Blackjack?
Spanish 21 blackjack is a table game that was first introduced at brick-and-mortar casinos in 1995. Essentially, the game is heavily based on its classic counterpart, Blackjack. And whilst many of the casino game’s rules are predominantly the same, the game has several exciting rules and twists of its own just like several other variants that you can typically find online such as Blackjack Surrender, the game’s British cousin Pontoon, and many more.
Generally, Spanish 21 blackjack is played using a custom table layout which bears many similarities to that of the classic game of Blackjack. It’s played with 6 to 8 decks of cards. However, unlike other games, it excludes suited 10 cards apart from the Jacks, Queens, and Kings. Hence, a quarter of the 10-count cards are missing from the deck. If cards are hard for you to keep track of, you may like craps more as it uses dice. Check out our online craps strategy guide to learn more.
Quick Facts about Blackjack Spanish 21:
- The game is played with 6-8 decks of cards of 48 cards each;
- The decks of cards used in this variant don’t contain any 10s;
- The players’ 21 always beats the dealer’s 21;
- The house edge in Spanish 21 can be typically reduced by 1% and falls in the range of 0.40% – 0.76% when a basic strategy is applied.
Spanish 21 vs Blackjack
Although the classic table game, Blackjack, has been around for quite a long time, the Blackjack Spanish 21 variant has only been around for the last decade. However, it has picked up at casinos both online and offline for one reason – its advantageous rules for the player. To understand how Spanish 21 works, you need to have a basic understanding of how to play Blackjack in its classic form. When playing Spanish 21, you’ll notice it’s relatively similar to playing the classic version of Blackjack. During the initial stage of the game, you must place your bets in the betting spot. The dealer will then deal out the initial hand and you’ll then have to decide your next move. The maneuvers in Spanish 21 are named the same – Hit, Stand, Split, and Double.
Spanish 21 Rules
As we’ve already mentioned in this article, in Spanish 21 all the 10s from the deck are out. And although this might seem to be a huge disadvantage for players, the different rule changes in the game compensate for their lack of presence in the deck. Plus, there still are picture cards and aces, so it’s not like all the stronger cards are out. Below we delve into how to play Spanish 21 to offer you some clarification about which rules you need to be aware of!
Hit, Stand & Split Rule
In this particular game, the rules regarding hitting, standing, and splitting are the same as the classic table game’s rules. Namely, you’ll only be allowed to hit, stand or split after you’ve placed your bet and the dealer has given out the initial hand. However, we do recommend taking a look at the Spanish 21 strategy sheet before you decide which move to make.
Late Surrender Rule
Late surrender allows you to surrender your hand late, which means that you can give up your hand at any time for the loss of half your wager. This is great news for the player; just as in Blackjack Surrender, this rule is highly advantageous for the players. If you calculate your odds of beating the dealer’s hole card, you can minimize your losses by forfeiting the hand and still getting half your bet back.
Re-Splitting Rule
Another great benefit of playing with Spanish 21 rules is that you are allowed to split aces and also re-split and double /re-double after splitting any pair. The late surrender rule still applies after splits and doublings; you might have a lot of money invested in one hand but if it goes straight to hell, it might be a good idea to get half your wager back.
Match the Dealer Side Bet Rule
Besides the rule variations mentioned above, Spanish 21 usually has some bonus games and additional side bets attached to the regular gameplay. Perhaps the most recognized is the Match the Dealer side bet which is also found in classic Blackjack online games. This bet is won by the player if either one or both of the preliminary cards match the dealer’s face-up card. However, as with most side bets, these types of wagers should be avoided to increase your chances of winning.
Super Bonus Rule
Spanish 21 is perhaps the only Blackjack online variant that offers a Super Bonus. And whilst the probability of actually hitting the Super Bonus is only about 1 in 668,382 in a six-deck game and 1 in 549, 188 in a game with 8 decks, the thought of just having Lady Luck on your side whilst playing and hitting the Super Bonus is truly thrilling, to say the least.
Quick Tips for Spanish 21
- The player’s 21 always beats the dealer’s 21;
- A dealer can hit or stand on a soft 17;
- Some casinos allow redoubling up to 3 times;
- Late surrender on the first two cards is allowed;
- All of the 10s are removed from the decks. (Normally 6 to 8 decks are used);
- The dealer hits on 16 and stands on 17;
- If both the dealer and the player have 21s, the player wins
- A total of 21 never pushes against a dealer’s 21;
- Double after a split is allowed;
- Players may draw several cards after splitting Aces;
- Spanish 21 has bonus payouts for hands like 6-7-8, and 5-card 21’s, sometimes called “Perfect Charlie” (2-3-4-5-7) and also for busted Perfect Charlies.
Spanish 21 Strategy
For numerous Blackjack veterans out there, Spanish 21 is considered to be one of the most profitable variations of the game. And naturally, the amount you can win will only be lucrative if you follow the right strategy! While we would typically recommend using our basic Blackjack strategy chart, we highly recommend using the Spanish 21 strategy sheet found below instead which takes all the changes in rules into account. If you study the chart and compare it with the regular blackjack strategy you will notice a few differences, mainly due to the tens being discarded from the deck. Following it will help you lower the house edge and possibly help you walk out of the casino with your head held high and your pockets a bit heavier than they were in the first place.
Spanish 21 Strategy Chart
If you study the chart and compare it with the regular blackjack strategy you will notice a few differences, mainly due to the tens being discarded from the deck. We strongly advise you to not draw for the bonus payouts, and you should never place any additional side bets if you have to pay extra to be eligible for them. Notable also is that even though you have the option to surrender your hand, there are not many situations in which it is profitable to do so. The under-representation of 10-value cards lowers the risk of busting a lot of hands; therefore it’s often more profitable to draw another card in Spanish 21. Players new to the game tend to overuse the surrender option, especially if they have a history of regular blackjack play. But if you follow the basic strategy shown on the card above, this is a very enjoyable game.
Spanish 21 Tips
Learn The Proper Moves
With its multiple changes in rules, Spanish 21 is a complex game to learn and will take some time. However, if you do manage to learn the strategy that goes with its rules, you can benefit profoundly. Thus, our experts always emphasize that you try to memorize as much as possible from the strategy chart pertaining to this particular variant rather than the one belonging to its classic counterpart.
Don’t Draw For The Bonus Payouts
We strongly advise you to not draw for the bonus payouts, and you should never place any additional side bets if you have to pay extra to be eligible for them.
Don’t Surrender Too Often
Players who are new to the game of Blackjack often tend to overuse the surrender option, especially if they have a history of regular blackjack play. Yet, it’s not always wise to do so. In fact, there are very few situations in which it’s profitable to do so.
Drawing Another Card Won’t Always Make You Bust
The under-representation of 10-value cards lowers the risk of busting a lot of hands; therefore it’s often more profitable to draw another card in Spanish 21.
Avoid Match The Dealer Side Bet
Unlike other variants out there, Spanish 21 has an entertaining side bet that’s called Match the Dealer. The way to win is by matching either of the initial cards in the hand you’ve been dealt out with the dealer’s face up-card. The good thing about this type of bet is that there are various ways to win and it also has a large payout potential ranging from 4:1 to 18:1 depending on which cards you manage to match.
However, the downside to this type of bet is that the house edge is far larger than that of the rest of the game. In fact, the Match the Dealer bet carries a house edge of 3.99% and 3.06% for 8-deck games and 6-deck games respectively. So ultimately, if your main goal is having the best chance of winning, we recommend skipping out on this side bet.
Spanish 21 Payouts
If you’ve played the classic variant of Blackjack online before and you’re wondering how the Spanish 21 payouts compare, we highly recommend taking a look at the table below. Whilst looking through the table, you’ll manage to find the different payouts per hand acquired.
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Insurance | 2:1 |
| Blackjack | 3:2 |
| 5-Card Hand | 3:2 |
| 6-Card Hand | 2:1 |
| 7-Card Hand or Over | 3:1 |
| 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 Hand of Mixed Suits | 3:2 |
| 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 Hand of the Same Suit | 2:1 |
| 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of Spades | 3:1 |
| 7-7-7 of the same suit vs. Dealer’s 7 Face-up Card | $1,000 to $5,000 |
Match the Dealer Side Bet Payout
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| 2 Suited Matches | 18:1 |
| 1 Suited & 1 Non-Suited Match | 13:1 |
| 1 Suited Match | 9:1 |
| 2 Non-Suited Matches | 8:1 |
Spanish 21 FAQs
What is Spanish 21 Blackjack?
Spanish 21 is a variation of the popular game of Blackjack in which the players don’t have any 10s in the decks. The objective is the same – to get your hand as close to 21 as possible.
What has better odds Spanish 21 or blackjack?
In general, Spanish 21 has better odds for the player than the basic variant of blackjack. You can get the house edge as low as 0.4, assuming you hone your strategy.
Is Spanish 21 the same as European Blackjack?
Spanish 21 is a blackjack variant. There are some rules that make it favorable for the dealer and some that are better for the player. Depending on the rule changes, it can have a low to medium house edge compared to the European blackjack game.
Is Spanish 21 Blackjack suitable for beginners?
Yes, the most common form of the game is played with six or eight decks of 48 cards while the four tens are removed.
Where can I try strategies and rules?
Pick one of the casinos listed below and try a free version of Spanish 21 to test your luck.
What is the best alternative to Spanish 21?
Spanish 21 can be a fun change from traditional blackjack games if you recognize the required strategy. If you don’t like it and feel like you should be playing one of the more traditional versions of the game, then European Blackjack is an alternative.
How to play Spanish 21 blackjack?
After making a bet, you will be dealt 2 cards. Depending on the variation you can either look at both cards, or one is facing down. When the game starts you can ask for another card if your hand is lower than 21. Be careful – the goal is to get to a total of 21, never over. You can double down, split, stand, or surrender. Keep playing as long the dealer or you decide to stand or bust.
How is Spanish 21 different from blackjack?
Spanish 21 is different from blackjack because the deck you’re playing with doesn’t include any 10s but picture cards (jacks, kings, and queens) and aces remain. There are two more differences – you can double down any time, and if you happen to get 21 you win automatically.
