Spanish Blackjack

Spanish Blackjack – The Game Where 21 Always Wins

Among the numerous versions of blackjack is Spanish 21, or Spanish Blackjack as some players call it. Despite its name, the game first appeared in Nevada, which is still home to some of the biggest brick-and-mortar casinos in the US. Spanish Blackjack is very easy to grasp, as the basics of the game coincide with those of classic blackjack. That said, there are a few intricacies that make Spanish Blackjack a fun variation to explore.

While Spanish Blackjack can be found at numerous land-based casinos, you can also discover several versions of the game online. While similar to classic blackjack, Spanish 21 offers some interesting payouts for different combinations totaling 21. To learn more about the rules and payouts, read the rest of this review. In addition to a detailed explanation of the game’s rules, we will also present the optimal strategy you can use to gain the highest possible edge while playing Spanish Blackjack.

Rules

Payout

House Edge

Conclusion

Spanish Blackjack Rules

Since Spanish Blackjack is a variation of the classic game, its basics remain the same. The main rules and the values assigned to the cards are also unchanged. In this game, your aim is to beat the dealer, the only person you compete against. Even though there will most likely be other players sitting at the table, your goal is to form a strong hand whose total exceeds the dealer’s. The highest total you can achieve is twenty-one; if you exceed this number, you automatically go bust and lose your bet. Most cards are worth their face value, while Queens, Kings, and Jacks count as 10. Aces can be either one or eleven, depending on the player’s choice and needs.

Screenshot of Spanish Blackjack

These are the basics every player should become familiar with. Now, let’s look at the rule alterations in Spanish Blackjack. Unlike the classic game, this version is played with six or eight decks, each consisting of 48 cards instead of 52 because all four tens are removed from each pack. This rule benefits the casino and is quite disadvantageous for players, who enjoy better winning chances when the deck is rich in tens.

However, to compensate for the missing tens and make this version more appealing, online casinos offer much more liberal rules and features. According to one of them, whenever you receive a hand totaling twenty-one, you win automatically, regardless of the dealer’s hand. Let’s have a look at the rest of the rules of Spanish Blackjack:

• You may double down on any two initial cards, regardless of suit or value
• If you split a pair, you are permitted to hit and double down on any cards afterward, including Aces
• You have the option to surrender after you have doubled down. In such situations, you forfeit your original bet but keep your double-down wager
• You can also take advantage of the late surrender option, meaning that you give up half of your initial bet and keep the rest. You may perform this move only if the dealer doesn’t have blackjack
• It is also possible to re-split Aces
• If you have blackjack and the dealer also has the same combination, you win; in this variation the result is not a tie
• The dealer is required to hit on soft 17
• This variation is a hole-card game and, thus, the dealer peeks for blackjack

Spanish Blackjack Payouts

To compensate for the missing tens, this variation features the so-called Super Bonus Rule, which offers different bonus payouts depending on the cards you receive. This makes the game very enticing, giving players new opportunities to win. Let’s have a look at the bonus payouts this blackjack variation offers:

• A five-card hand totaling 21 pays 3:2
• A six-card hand totaling 21 pays 2:1
• A seven-card hand totaling 21 pays 3:1
• A 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of mixed suits totaling 21 pays 3:2
• If the above combinations are suited, they pay 2:1; if they are all spades, the payout is 3:1
• If you are lucky enough to receive three 7s of the same suit when the dealer’s up card is also a seven, you will boost your bankroll with a payout of 50:1

It should be noted that these bonus payouts do not apply if you have already doubled down or split a pair.

Some Spanish Blackjack variations feature an additional side bet that is popular with blackjack fans under the name “Match the Dealer”. Players bet on whether either of their first two cards will be of the same rank as the dealer’s up card. If the rank matches but the suit does not, the side bet pays 4:1. If both rank and suit match, the payout rises to 9:1. However, rookie players are advised to avoid “Match the Dealer” side bets because they increase the house edge.

Spanish Blackjack House Edge

The absence of all tens in this variation plays a crucial role, as it significantly increases the house edge. However, various additional rules have been designed to work in the players’ favor. The house edge in Spanish Blackjack, as in other variations, depends largely on several factors, such as the dealer’s automatic actions and the number of decks in play.

Keep in mind that the house edge is usually calculated under the assumption that players use basic strategy. If the dealer hits on soft 17 and the game is played with eight decks, the house edge is 0.80%. However, if the dealer is required to stand on soft 17, the house edge drops to a more favorable 0.38%.

Optimal Strategy for Playing Spanish Blackjack

Because of the reduced number of cards and the rule variations in Spanish Blackjack, it should come as no surprise that this game requires a special strategy. The most important element when choosing the optimal strategy is whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17. Below you will find some universal rules, regardless of the variation you choose to play:

• Always hit when you have a hard 4 through 8
• With a hard 9, hit unless the dealer’s up card is a 6, in which case you should double down
• If your hand totals 12, 13, or 14, hit
• Stand on hard totals of 18 through 21
• If you have suited 7s and the dealer shows a 7, hit
• Do not split paired 4s, 5s, or 10s
• If you have a pair of 8s and the dealer’s up card is an ace, surrender; otherwise, split
• If you have paired aces, your best move is to split them

If you happen to have an ace-less hand totaling 16, your decision depends on the dealer’s up card. If the dealer’s exposed card is a 5 or 6, it is best to stand; if the dealer is showing a 7 through 10, you should hit. Surrender only if the dealer’s up card is an ace.

Online you can find Spanish Blackjack basic strategy charts that show the optimal moves in every possible situation. Some of the recommended plays depend on how many cards you hold. It will certainly take some time to learn the strategy, but your effort will not be in vain.

Spanish Blackjack Strategy Chart

Rules:

• Played with 48-card decks (10s removed).
• Player blackjack (pontoon) beats dealer blackjack.
• Player 21 beats dealer 21.
• Double on any number of cards.
• Re-double down once.
• Surrender after doubling down.
• 5-card 21 pays 3:2, 6-card 21 pays 2:1, 7+-card 21 pays 3:1.
• Special payouts for 6/7/8 and 7/7/7 combinations.
• 8 decks, Dealer hits soft 17, Dealer peeks for blackjack.
• Double after split, Resplit up to 4 hands, Draw to split aces.
• Surrender allowed.

Legend:

• H: Hit (Twist)
• S: Stand (Stick)
• D: Double if Possible, Otherwise Hit
• D#: Double if your hand has # or fewer cards, otherwise hit
• S#: Stand if your hand has # or fewer cards, otherwise hit
• S*: Stand unless a 6/7/8 or 7/7/7 bonus is possible
• P: Split (Pair)
• P*: Split unless suited 7s (possible bonus)
• R: Surrender if possible, otherwise Hit

Legend:

• S: Stand
• D: Double
• R: Surrender

Conclusion

Spanish Blackjack is one of the most popular variations of the game, enjoyed by players all over the world. It features great bonuses which make it extremely appealing. Nowadays, this exciting variation can be found in many brick-and-mortar casinos as well as online, having proven to be very popular among blackjack enthusiasts. It is undoubtedly a game worth trying; however, before you do, make sure you are familiar with all of its rules and subtleties.

FAQ: Spanish Blackjack for Beginners