• Blackjack Spanish 21
• Blackjack Spanish 21 Online Games
• Blackjack Spanish 21 Online Game
• Blackjack Spanish 21 online, free

This is a blackjack variation that got its name because it is played with six or eight Spanish decks – a regular 52 card deck from which the four tens cards are taken out. Beside some of the common blackjack rules, such as number of decks, double after split and resplit Aces, Spanish 21 offers some exciting bonuses with good payouts. These bonuses and the 48 card decks make this a unique and popular blackjack variation.

On this page, you will find additional information about the game rules of Spanish 21 Blackjack, the house edge of the game and the optimal playing strategy for securing the best possible odds for the player.

Rules and Special Features

The most usual form of the game is played with six or eight decks of 48 cards, while the four 10s are removed. The player is allowed to surrender and double after splitting the cards. Resplitting Aces is allowed and the player can hit or double down after splitting them. In addition, the player can double on any number of cards and surrender after doubling. Some of the rules that favor the player are: player 21 wins and player blackjack beats dealer blackjack.

• Spanish 21 is similar to Pontoon and is usually found under the mopniker of, ‘ Spanish Blackjack,’ and can sometimes be found online under the name, ‘ Pirate Blackjack,’ but for the most part, it can be found in brick-and-mortar casinos.
• One of the most popular Blackjack variants, Spanish 21, has found its way to the online market, becoming a part of Microgaming's regular and Gold series blackjack editions. Played with eight decks without 10 denomination cards, the game offers an additional paytable with higher potential payouts on specific hand combinations.
• Spanish 21 blackjack is actually one of the original versions of blackjack invented nearly 400 years ago. During this time period, all of the ten cards were removed from the deck and the game was played.
• At the time of this writing, Spanish 21 online has seen no updates, thus the decks are different for each hand of play. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly where Spanish 21 online began to shift from its pre-Spanish 21 roots in blackjack to its current digital incarnation.

The rules explained above are rules common for every Spanish 21 game. However, there are some variables that should be mentioned. For example, the dealer in some variations is allowed to hit on soft 17, while in others he stands on soft 17. At certain casinos redoubling is allowed up to three hands and somewhere a split Ace and a face card are counted as a blackjack.

Blackjack Spanish 21

Spanish 21 is just like regular blackjack with a few exceptions. Here are the different rules: THERE ARE NO 10's IN THE SHOE! This game is played with 6 decks containing 2-9, J, Q, K, A. Player 21 ALWAYS wins. Player Blackjack ALWAYS wins 3/2. You may double down once at any time.

In any case, what make Spanish 21 so unique and thrilling are the many bonuses. This blackjack variation awards five-card 21 with a 3:2 payout, a six-card 21 with a 2:1 payout and a 7+ card 21 with a 3:1 payout. If the player gets a combination of unsuited 6-7-8 or 7-7-7, a 3:2 bonus payout is granted to him. If the same combination is suited the payout is 2:1, while 6-7-8 and 7-7-7 of spades has the best payout of 3:1. Furthermore, suited 7-7-7 across a dealer’s 7 is considered to be a super bonus and pays £1,000 for bets from £5 to £24 and £5,000 for £25+ bets.

House Edge and Soft 17

Certain rule variations affect the house edge of the game. If the game is played with eight decks and the dealer stands on soft 17 the house has an edge of 0.38%. Reducing the number of decks to six will immediately lower the house edge to 0.37%. Hitting on soft 17 increases the house edge to 0.78% when played with six decks and to 0.80% when played with eight decks. Usually, this variation allows the player to surrender. However, if this rule is changed, the house edge grows for 0.006% (dealer hits on soft 17) or 0.018% (dealer stands on soft 17).

Side Bets and Bonuses

In Spanish 21 usually a side bet known as Match the Dealer is offered. The point of this bet is the player’s cards to match the dealer’s face up card. For example, if the dealer’s card is 9 of spades, the player should have 9 of spades, 9 of any kind or a total card amount of 9 in order to win the side bet. Depending on the number of decks, the payout varies and can be 4:1 (6 deck) or 3:1 (8 deck). Furthermore, a perfect match or rank pays 9:1/12:1. Additionally, if the player has 9 of spades and 9 of diamonds, he will get two bonuses.

Blackjack Spanish 21 Online Games

Game Play Strategy

Because of the many rule variations that significantly change the optimal Spanish 21 strategy, here is discussed the best strategy when the game is played with eight decks and the dealer hits on soft 17. First, in case of receiving a pair of 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and Aces, the played is advised to split. Some exceptions apply whatsoever. In case of suited 7-7 when the dealer holds 7 it is the best to hit, while 8-8 across a dealer’s Ace signals the player to surrender. The player should stand with a pair of nines if the dealer has 2, 7 or Ace. If the dealer shows 9 or Ace and the player have 2-2, 3-3, 6-6 or 7-7 hitting another card is a good move.

Second, in case of hard 4-14 the player should hit no matter the dealer’s card. However, exceptions are situations when the dealer has 4 and 5, while the player has a hard 14 and 6 across player hard 13 or 14. Hard 15+ is a sign to stand, unless the dealer has 7, 8, 9 or Ace and hitting is a good option. Hard hand of 10 or 11 is a good time for doubling, however you should pay attention to the number of cards you have. For example, if you have three cards and a hard 10, it would be the best to hit instead of double. Hard 16 and 17 when the dealer holds Ace should result in player’s surrender.

Finally, soft 12-17 should motivate the player to hit, no matter the dealer’s hand. Same goes if the player has soft 18, while the dealer holds 9 or Ace. To stand is a good move when you have soft 18 and 19. However, it is also important how many cards you hold. In a case of a soft 19 and six card hand you should hit. Soft 17 and 18 across dealer’s 4, 5 or 6 is a sign to double.

Overview

Spanish 21 is a very exciting blackjack variation. There are some rules that make it favorable to the dealer and some that are better for the player. Depending on the rules modifications it can have a low to medium house edge compared to other blackjack games. However, the many bonuses and the Match the Dealer side bet make it very interesting and challenging for the players. Using the optimal playing strategy can increase the player’s chances to win and turn this blackjack variation in a long lasting entertaining experience.

Spanish 21 is a form of blackjack at online casino sites where players will play with decks that don’t have the 10 card. That is, there are only 48 cards in each deck. This means that the dealer has slightly better odds at the start. However, there are plenty of added rules to the game with the intention of giving the player more ways to win. This ensures that the game has a better payout for players.

Blackjack Spanish 21 Online Game

This is a game where doubling can work many times or where a dealer can stand at specific points. It is significantly different from traditional blackjack when all its added rules are considered.

Online Casinos With Spanish 21 Blackjack

Drawing Rules

Blackjack Spanish 21 online, free

To start, there are six or eight Spanish decks with the aforementioned 48 cards. The game works with the same hit, stand, split and double down options that traditional blackjack comes with. However, there are several significant changes that make this game different:

• Aces can be split more than once if needed.
• A player can double down on any cards that appear. This means that a player can do this after having three or four cards. Players can typically double down as many as three times.
• A player can choose to double down after a split.
• Depending on the casino, a dealer can stand on a soft 17.
• Players can surrender late in the game. Also, a player who doubles down can also surrender and get the original value back but not whatever was added in the doubling. The late surrender feature typically works on the first two cards that are given out.

The rules for winning and the payouts for the game are different too:

• A player will always win with a 21 no matter what the dealer has.
• A player who hits a blackjack will always beat a dealer’s blackjack.
• A 21 will pay more if added cards are involved. A 21 with five cards as a 3-to-2 payout while it is 2-to-1 for six cards and 3-1 for seven or more cards.
• A 6-7-8 combination or three 7 cards pays 3-to-2 but it goes up to 2-1 if the same suit is involved or 3-to-1 if spades are used.
• The bonuses that are offered may not be used in the event that a player splits or doubles down.