How to Play Spanish 21
Spanish 21 is a sought-after alternative to traditional blackjack, especially when the table rules are favourable. The game is played with a 48-card deck (all 10s are removed), which reduces the chances of having a natural 21 hand. However, as compensation, it offers liberal rules and large bonus payouts. These features give players an advantage over the house, but Spanish 21 can only be played following specific strategies that differ from the basic blackjack strategy.
This article explains how to play Spanish 21 and highlights its rules, payouts, and strategies. Let's begin!
Spanish 21: Cards and Objective
Spanish 21 is a classic blackjack variant popular for its 48-card deck, player-friendly rules, and unique payout structure, which includes a bonus. The objective is to form a hand totaling 21 without going over.
A common question about the Spanish deck is how many cards there are. It is a standard 52-card deck with all 10s removed, leaving only Jacks, Queens, and Kings (10-value cards), for a total of 48 cards.
The absence of 10s makes it less easier to form a natural blackjack hand (10 plus 11). However, the safety-net rules of the game, such as late surrender and a no-tie rule that gives the player with a 21 hand total a win over the dealer, make up for it.
Spanish 21 Rules
The Spanish 21 rules are straightforward, and some are favorable to players. They include:
- Number of card decks: 6 to 8 Spanish decks containing 48 cards are used
- No Tie: If a player and dealer have a hand total of 21, it doesn't result in a push. Instead, the players win. Also, a player's 21 hand (whatever combination) wins over the dealer's.
- Late Surrender: If a dealer peeks at the given hole card and has a winning blackjack hand, players can still surrender to recover half their bet amount.
- Double Down: If the outcome of a double down action is a weak hand, the player can let go of the wager to receive half of the initial wager. Also, players can double down after splitting.
- Aces Re-Split: One of the unique features of Spanish 21 is that re-splitting of Aces is permitted.
- Hitting and Standing: Dealer may hit or stand on a soft 17, but must hit on a hand total of 16 or less.
- Bonus Payouts: Bonuses are offered for forming a specific 21 hand combination, such as three-suited 7s or a five-card 21 hand total.
These rules can vary from one casino to another. Therefore, before playing, confirm the applicable terms.
How to Play Spanish 21
Here's how to play Spanish 21 without error:
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Place bets in designated wagering areas (main and side bets) to be eligible for card dealing.
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The dealer and the player receive two cards; the player's cards are face up, while the dealer receives one face up and one face down.
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Take a look at your cards to see if you have a natural blackjack. If you do, you win automatically following the game's rules. If not, play your hand based on the dealer's upcard.
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Depending on your hand, decide whether to:
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Hit: Request for another card to get closer to 21
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Stand: Hold on to your current hand
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Double Down: Double your initial wager.
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Split: Separate a hand pair, such as 8s, Aces, into two.
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Resplit: If you have an Ace after the first split, you can resplit again.
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Or Surrender: You have a chance to walk away if you have a weak hand or if the dealer has a blackjack, losing only half of your initial bet.
Note: In Spanish 21, you can double down on any cards. Also, you can hit or double down on aces.
- Wait for the table's dealer to reveal the hole card and then calculate your payouts.
Spanish 21 Payout Structure and House Edge
The tables below show the Spanish 21 payouts for bonuses, 21-card, and side bets.
21-Hand Payouts
| Hand | Payouts |
|---|---|
| Blackjack | 3:2 |
| 5-Card 21 | 3:2 |
| 6-Card 21 | 2:1 |
| 7-Card or more | 3:1 |
Bonus Payouts
Spanish 21 offers bonuses for having the hands below:
| Three-suited Hands | Payouts |
|---|---|
| 7-7-7 or 6-7-8 (mixed suits) | 3:2 |
| 7-7-7 or 6-7-8(same suit) | 2:1 |
| 7-7-7 or 6-7-8 (Spades) | 3:1 |
Note: Doubling down of hands like 6-7-8 often affects these bonuses, changing the payout offer to 1:1
Super Bonus Payout
Spanish 21 offers a Super Bonus when a player has a specific hand combination, which is three suited sevens (7-7-7), and there is no need to place an extra wager.
If a player is dealt 7-7-7, and the table Dealer's up card is a 7, the player receives a $1000 payout if the initial wager placed is between $5 and $24. And if the main wager is above $25, the payout is $5,000.
However, a three-suited sevens formed as a result of splitting or doubling down is not eligible for the bonus payout. Also, the Suited 7-7-7 Spanish 21 odds are 1 in 668,382 and 1 in 549,188 when six decks or eight decks are used, respectively.
Envy Bonus Payout
When a player wins the Super Bonus, all other players at the table who placed an initial bet in that round automatically receive an Envy Bonus worth $50.
Match the Dealer Payout
The Match the Dealer bet is an optional wager in Spanish 21. Players win if either or both of the first two cards received match (in rank) the dealer's upcard. If interested, this bet must be placed alongside the initial wager before cards are dealt. And note that it carries a 3% house edge.
The table below shows the payout for the Spanish 21 Match the Dealer side bet.
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| 1 Non-suited match but same rank | 4:1 |
| 2 Non-suited matches but same rank | 8:1 |
| 1 Suited match and same rank | 9:1 |
| 2 Suited matches and same rank | 18:1 |
| 1 Non-suited match but same rank & 1 Suited match and same rank | 13 to 1 |
Spanish 21 House Edge
The house edge in Spanish 21 varies depending on the dealer's hit, stand, and double-down rules.
- If the house's dealer stands on soft 17, it is 0.40%
- If the house's dealer hits on soft 17 and redoubling is allowed, it is 0.42%
- If the house's dealer hits on soft 17, but redoubling isn't permitted, it is 0.76%
Spanish 21 Basic Strategy
As mentioned earlier, the basic blackjack strategy doesn't work for Spanish 21 due to the use of a 48-card deck and some of its rules.
The table below highlights the basic strategy for playing Spanish 21.
| You have a Hard Hand, i.e, No Ace | Dealer's Up Card | Action to Take |
|---|---|---|
| 8 or Less | Any | Hit |
| 9 | 6 | Double (otherwise Hit) |
| 10 | 2 - 7 | Double (otherwise Hit) |
| 11 | 2 - 8 | Double (otherwise Hit) |
| 12 | Any | Always Hit |
| 13 | 5 or 6 | Stand (otherwise Hit) |
| 14 | 4, 5, or 6 | Stand (otherwise Hit) |
| 15 | 2 - 6 | Stand (otherwise Hit) |
| 16 | 2 - 6 | Stand (otherwise Hit) |
| 17 | Ace | Surrender (otherwise Stand) |
| You have a Soft Hand, i.e, with an Ace | Dealer's Up Card | Action to Take |
|---|---|---|
| Soft 13 to 15 | Any | Hit |
| Soft 16 | 6 | Double (otherwise Hit) |
| Soft 17 | 4, 5, or 6 | Double (otherwise Hit) |
| Soft 18 | (2, 3, 7) or (4, 5, 6) or (9, 10, Ace) | Stand, Double, and hit respectively |
| Soft 19 | Any | Stand |
Additional Strategy
- Never Split 4s, 5s, and 10-value cards (J-Q-K)
- Always Split Aces and 8s unless it's Surrender 8s vs the Dealer's Ace.
Spanish 21 or Blackjack: Which Should You Play?
Based on features and our interview with Michael Shackleford, his analysis of Spanish 21 over his nine years of play at Atlantic City shows that it is a better game than blackjack. However, the reduced number of cards in the Spanish 21 makes its gameplay more technical. Also, it does not support the basic blackjack strategy, which is easier to follow.
Therefore, if wide availability and ease of gameplay matter to you, blackjack is a preferred option. But if bonus payouts and favorable rules matter most to you, choose Spanish 21.
| Feature | Classic Blackjack | Spanish 21 |
|---|---|---|
| Tie on 21-hand | Push (No one wins) | Player Wins |
| Tie on Natural Blackjack | Push (No one wins) | Player Wins |
| Late Surrender | Not allowed (most times) | Allowed |
| Double Down | Usually on 9, 10, 11 only | Any number of cards |
FAQs
Can I use the standard Blackjack strategy chart for Spanish 21?
No, due to the exclusion of 10s in the Spanish card deck.
What is the house edge in Spanish 21?
The house edge in Spanish 21 is between 0.40 and 0.76%, depending on the hit, stand, and double-down rules that apply to the dealer.
Is Spanish 21 better than traditional Blackjack?
It's a hard choice. The player-friendly rules of Spanish 21 often make it a better game, compensating for its slightly higher house edge when compared to traditional Blackjack.