Much like classic Blackjack, Spanish 21 holds loads of similar features and functions. However, the aspects that do set it apart have made it soar to popularity since its inception in land-based casinos in 1995.
As MowgliB points out, there are numerous blackjack variants that exist. The most popular pontoon game is known as Spanish 21 in the US. In Spanish 21, all of the numbered 10s are removed from the deck. (The face cards remain and are still worth 10.). Spanish 21 uses most of the same rules that you can find at the blackjack table, but it combines all of the best rules and adds a few more bells and whistles. The only down side is that the game uses a Spanish deck of cards instead of a normal 52 card deck. A Spanish deck only has 48 cards. All of the 10’s have been removed from a regular deck.
Now that it is also offered on online casinos, it has risen in the ranks as one of the best Blackjack variations out there. To understand Spanish 21 Blackjack, there are only a few things to bear in mind.
This game is played with 6 to 8 decks of cards with each deck holding 48 cards. The deck does not have any cards of ten. The player has the priority and always beats the dealer in a 21 tie.
And the best part? The house edge for Spanish 21 Blackjack falls as low as 0.4% if you have a good strategy in place.
How to Play Spanish 21 Blackjack
To get started, it is important to get a hold of the basic rules. While the player’s 21 beats the dealers 21, the dealer has the choice of hitting or standing on a soft 17. The late surrender rule allows you to surrender your hand a little later giving you the chance to forfeit your hand and cut your losses by half.
21 Always Wins in Spanish 21 In the European blackjack, playing a 21 should be a win, but it is nonetheless disappointing if the dealer is playing a 21 as well. In the European blackjack, if you tie the dealer with 21, it would bea push. On the other hand,in Spanish 21, when you get a total of 21, it would always be a win. Traditional Blackjack vs. Spanish 21 Blackjack Blackjack: Spanish 21: Number of Decks: 1,2,4,6,8: 6 or 8: Dealer Soft 17 Rule: May Hit or Stand: May Hit or Stand: Blackjack Payoff: 3-2 or 6-5: 3-2: Player Blackjack (2 cards) Always pushes when Dealer has blackjack: Always wins, even if Dealer has blackjack: Player 21 (3+ cards) Always pushes.
Hitting, standing and splitting are just the same as any other Blackjack game. But in Spanish 21 Blackjack, you can choose to split aces or re-split a pair. You may also double or re-double any pair and take advantage of the “Match the Dealer Side Bet Rule” and the “Super Bonus Rule”.
Spanish 21 Blackjack Strategy
Getting ahead and staying ahead in a game of Spanish 21 Blackjack requires a good strategy. Formulating your strategy can be easily done using an online Spanish 21 Blackjack Strategy Chart. This will teach you to use the proper moves in no time.
Another way to make sure you do not lose too much in a game, is to watch your bets. For starters, do not draw for the bonus payouts no matter how tempted you may be and try to avoid making Match the Dealer Side Bets.
These are relatively risky and increase the chances of you leaving empty-handed. Another thing to avoid is surrendering too frequently. If over-used, it can be less profitable in the long run.
Where to Play Spanish 21 Blackjack
Just like in the traditional brick-and-mortar world, choosing the right casino can make all the difference. In the real world, we seek great ambience, excellent customer service, lower house edges and lucrative promotions.
Blackjack Vs Spanish 21 Games
Spanish 21 Vs Blackjack Odds
Well, we have wonderful news for you. You can find all this and more at 888 Casino. Offering some of the best Microgaming creations, playing Spanish 21 Blackjack here is bound to be memorable and oh-so-rewarding.
To kick-start your game, 888 Casino has a staggering welcome bonus that amounts to about £150. As a rule of thumb, the house edge of Spanish 21 Blackjack will be considerably lower than the house edge of regular Blackjack. So play to your heart’s content and laugh all the way to the bank.