Players around the world enjoy blackjack thanks to its challenging rules and the opportunity to gain an advantage over the casino by applying the right strategy, knowledge and skills. As one of the most popular card games of all time, it has numerous variations, many of which have been developed over the years by professional players. Some versions have appealed to many blackjack fans and have therefore become an inseparable part of both land-based and virtual casinos.
Moreover, players can enjoy many of these variations online, which makes it very easy for them to play whenever and wherever they wish. It is highly recommended to choose a reputable casino when playing online, as this is the only way for players to be sure that their sensitive information will receive a high level of protection. Also, it is always essential to double-check the rules of the variation you intend to play in advance, as they can vary between casinos.
For most experienced players, the variation Spanish 21 immediately springs to mind when they think of blackjack. It is undoubtedly one of the most widespread versions of the game and is immensely popular around the world. This variation has an easy-to-grasp set of rules, and learning its fundamentals is straightforward, as it is very similar to the classic game. However, what makes it different and enticing are the additional rules and subtleties.
Brief History of Spanish 21
The origin of this variation can be traced back to the mid-1990s when it first appeared in Nevada-based casinos. The rights to Spanish 21 are held by Masque Publishing Inc., a company headquartered in Colorado. This version is also commonly known as Spanish Blackjack, even though this is not its official name. Interestingly, it resembles another very popular variation of the classic game – Malaysian Pontoon.
Rules of Spanish 21
Spanish 21 is a variation of blackjack and, as such, it uses its fundamental principles and rules. The objective and card values are exactly the same as in the classic game, and the players also compete against the dealer. This is why it is best to become familiar with the basics of the classic game first in order to grasp the additional rules and differences of this version.
What sets this version apart from the rest is the number of decks and cards involved in the game. In general, the standard blackjack variation has 52 playing cards, but in this variation, only 48 cards are used as the rules require all of the tens to be removed from each deck. The number of decks in the game is usually six or eight, with no tens in them. Another difference Spanish 21 has, in comparison with the classic game, is that whenever players’ hands total twenty-one, they automatically win, regardless of the cards the dealer holds.
Doubling down is allowed on any two cards, and this move can also be made after splitting. The option to surrender is available after doubling down, meaning that players lose their initial bet but keep the wager they made when they doubled down. In most cases, the rules require the dealer to hit on soft 17, and there is a hole card, meaning the dealer peeks for blackjack. It is worth mentioning that the additional rules of this variation differ from one casino to another and should always be considered in advance.
Payout in Spanish 21
When it comes to Spanish 21, players always win when their hands reach twenty-one, regardless of the cards the dealer holds. However, players are paid differently depending on the number of cards that form the winning hand. In this sense, they receive a payout of 3:2 when they reach 21 with five cards of any suit. If they manage to win using six cards of any suit, the payout is 2:1. Provided that the winning hand consists of seven cards of any suit, the payout is 3:1.
Players who are lucky enough to receive 6, 7 and 8 will enjoy a payout of 3:2. If the 6, 7 and 8 are all Spades, the payout is 3:1. If a player hits 21 with the cards 6, 7 and 8 and they are of the same suit, then the payout is 2:1. And if the winning hand is composed of three 7s, the payout depends on the suits of the cards and coincides with the payouts associated with the 6-7-8 winning hands. The chart below visually presents the payouts associated with the different winning hands.
| Spanish 21 Payouts | |
|---|---|
| 5-card winning hand | 3:2 |
| 6-card winning hand | 2:1 |
| 7 or more cards | 3:1 |
| 6-7-8 of different suits | 3:2 |
| 6-7-8 of the same suit | 2:1 |
| 6-7-8 all spades | 3:1 |
| Three 7’s of different suits | 3:2 |
| Three 7’s of the same suit | 2:1 |
| Three 7’s, all spades | 3:1 |
European Blackjack
Pontoon
Atlantic City Blackjack
Multi Hand Blackjack
Spanish 21
Match the Dealer
Match the Dealer is the most common side bet you will come across when playing Spanish 21 games. As you might already know, a side bet is a wager placed next to your original bet. If you lose it, you do not lose your original bet, and vice versa – if you lose your original bet, it does not mean that you lose the side bet. Match the Dealer is a side bet that is based on the player’s cards and the dealer’s upcard.
Players bet on whether their first card or cards will match the rank of the dealer’s upcard. You win a bigger payout if your first two cards are of the same suit and rank as the dealer’s upcard. The payout depends on the number of decks included in the game. In the lines below, you can see all the possible scenarios and the payouts associated with them.
| Decks | 1 unsuited match | 1 suited match | 2 unsuited matches | 2 suited matches | 1 suited/1 unsuited match | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4:1 | 15:1 | 8:1 | Not possible | 19:1 | 3.63% |
| 4 | 4:1 | 10:1 | 8:1 | 20:1 | 14:1 | 3.20% |
| 5 | 3:1 | 13:1 | 6:1 | 26:1 | 16:1 | 3.53% |
| 6 | 4:1 | 9:1 | 8:1 | 18:1 | 13:1 | 3.06% |
| 8 | 3:1 | 12:1 | 6:1 | 24:1 | 15:1 | 2.99% |
Some casinos offer a variation of the Match the Dealer side bet in which blackjack enthusiasts have to predict whether their first cards will match the dealer’s hole card.
If you ask professional blackjack players whether the Match the Dealer side bet is worth it, they will tell you that blackjack side bets are not beneficial from the player’s perspective. What is more, no blackjack betting strategy involves side bets. However, if you want to add extra excitement to the gameplay, placing a side bet is a good option.
Advantages of Spanish 21
In Spanish 21, players are allowed to make different moves which can work in their favour if made at the appropriate time. There are not as many restrictions as in the classic game, which gives them the necessary freedom to determine their moves and bets. As we already mentioned above, one of the most notable advantages of this version is that whenever players have a total of twenty-one in their hands, they automatically win. This rule gives them fairly good chances of achieving the desired result by using their skills and knowledge.
Disadvantages of Spanish 21
As previously mentioned, all of the tens are taken out of the decks, which makes it harder for players to reach twenty-one and can be considered a major drawback. The high number of decks involved – six or eight – makes it very difficult for card counters to keep track of the cards and obtain valuable information. Moreover, players must take the time to adjust their basic strategy accordingly because no tens are involved.
Conclusion
Spanish 21 is played by thousands of players worldwide, and it is one of the most well-known variations of blackjack. Nowadays, many casinos offer this version thanks to its popularity and enticing rules. It is considered to be relatively favourable to players and this is the reason why many blackjack devotees decide to give it a try. However, they should always become familiar with its subtleties and specifications in order to minimise their losses as much as possible.
Just like any other variation, it requires solid knowledge of the basic rules of the game. It is also imperative to know the basic strategy backwards and forwards and to make the necessary adjustments in order to make a profit in the long term. Spanish 21 can be both enjoyable and interesting as long as players prepare themselves in advance.