Play Spanish 21 free! Players 21 always wins. Players blackjack always wins. Played like black jack, but certain combos pay out more. 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.
How to Play Spanish 21 Online. Just like the majority of blackjack games found in brick and mortar casinos, as well as major online casinos for that matter, Spanish 21 is typically played using a six or eight deck shoe. The version of the game spread by Bovada, for example, utilizes an eight deck shoe, while other online casinos rely on a six.
Spanish Blackjack. 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 Blackjack is offered at online casinos such as BlackjackBallroom.com. The best Microgaming casinos like JackpotParadise.com also offer several versions of Spanish 21 to play. Other casinos offer a similar game called Match Play 21. Spanish Blackjack Instructions.
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Spanish 21 Overview-
We are going to assume that you already know how to play standard blackjack, so there's no need to tell you that aces are worth 1 or 11 and face cards are worth their printed value. Besides the rule modifications below, Spanish Blackjack is the same as the traditional version.
Rules-
- The tens are removed from the deck (not J, Q, K…just the actual 10's)
- Players are allowed to surrender at any time to receive 50% of their wager back
- Pairs can be split up to four times (including aces)
- Players can double down at any time (including after splitting cards or taking a hit)
- In most casinos, players are also allowed to re-double
- Aces can be split multiple times and each can be doubled/hit
- A player 21 always beats a dealer blackjack or 21.
Bonuses-
Each of the bonuses listed below are included in the players original wager. Inside most casinos, the bonuses are only applicable on natural hands (hands that have been doubled or split). A few locations pay out the bonuses regardless.
A five card 21 pays 3:2; six card 21 pays 2:1; seven+ card 21 pays 3:1
Any 21 from 6/7/8 or 7/7/7 pays 3:2; if all same suit 2:1; if all spades 3:1
A suited 7/7/7 when the dealer shows a 7 pays $1,000 for bets under $25, $5,000 for bets $25 and over
Spanish 21 Strategy
Many amateur players make the mistake of trying to mirror a basic blackjack strategy when playing Spanish 21; that is a huge mistake! The freedom to split and double any hand (at almost any time) gives the player a tremendous advantage in certain situations but only if you recognize the opportunity.
Let's play out a hand to give you an example. Let's say that you start out with a total of hard six (3/3 or 4/2, you pick!) and the dealer is showing a seven. Obviously you're going to take a hit here; it's too early to start doubling and you're definitely not going to stand. So you take the hit and receive a three, which brings your running total up to nine.
Now, at a regular blackjack table you'd take the hit, but Spanish 21 allows you to double up if you desire. Even with the dealer showing a 7, a double up is still a fair bet, but then again you're also at three cards with a total of only 9. If you manage to catch a 6/5 or a 7/4, then you'd be getting 3:2 odds only if you chose not to double. It's a tough call either way, but we say double it up!
Let's make it even more confusing. You're sitting at 9 from three cards, you double up, and the fourth card is a two. Now you have 11 with four cards but you just knocked out your bonus chances, so you might as well double up again. That means you've managed to triple your bet since the hand started, but you could have easily just sat back and hoped to make a 21 in five to seven cards without doubling at all.
That's Spanish 21 for you though; it's an awesome game simply because there are so many viable strategies that can come into play at almost any time. If you insist on deviating away from traditional blackjack, then our staff practically insists that you choose Spanish 21 as your game of choice.
Spanish 21, or as our friends down under like to call it – Pontoon; is a version of Blackjack that is not only fun to play, but one of the best bets in a casino. If you are lucky enough to find the game that is. Spanish Blackjack isn't spread as often as other Blackjack games due to the low house edge. As a rule of thumb, if you have the option to play Spanish 21, play it!
Spanish 21 is kind of like taking the best parts of every Blackjack version and creating a new Blackjack version around them. Most Blackjack games will have some good and bad. All the bad things like not being able to re-split Aces, are designed to give the house a higher edge. However, you can find just about all of the 'Good' that is found in other versions.
Content
Free Games
Rules
Bonus Payouts
Online Games House Edge Comparison
Spanish Blackjack Tips
Free Spanish 21 Blackjack
Where to Play for Real Cash
Casino | Bonus | Why it's here | Best Game |
---|---|---|---|
100% up to $1000 | Best for USA and AUS casino | Single Deck – 0.08% house edge | |
100% up to £/$/€ 100 | Best for UK, Canada and EU | Classic Blackjack – 0.21% house edge | |
150% up to $1500 | Highest USA Blackjack Bonus | N/A |
Spanish 21 Rules
The main difference with this version is absence of all the 10's. There are still Jacks, Kings and Queens; but the literal 10 cards are removed from the deck. A standard shoe consists of 6 to 8 decks with 48 cards in each deck.
Double Down
As per standard Blackjack games, players can double down on their first 2 cards. However, Spanish 21 lets you double down on many occasions. You can double after a split. You can also double down after each hit if you prefer. Finally, there's the option to double after splitting Aces. After doubling down you will receive only one additional card. Then you can either stand or surrender – double down rescue.
Splitting
You can split any two hands with similar value. You can also split and re-split Aces. The possible number of splits vary between the games, but usually it's up to 3 hands.
Late Surrender
Spanish 21 also allows players to use the late surrender when a dealer shows a 10 or Ace.
21 and Blackjack
Spanish 21 has a unique way of rewarding 21's and Blackjacks. The most lucrative is the fact that the dealer cannot tie when the player has 21 or Blackjack. All player 21's and Blackjacks beat the dealers 21 and Blackjacks.
Not only do you always win with 21, it also pays off if you make 21 a certain way.
- 5 card 21 pays 3-2
- 6 cards pays 2-1
- 7 or more pays 3-1
Dealt Blackjacks pay the traditional 3-2. While all other 21's are paid even money.
Bonuses
Spanish blackjack has a few other tricks up its sleeve. These tricks, or treats if you will, come in the form of bonus payouts for getting certain card combinations.
- 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of different suits pays 3-2
- 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of the same suit pays 2-1
- 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of all spades pays 3-1
- 7-7-7 of the same suit when the dealer shows a 7 pay 50:1.
Play Spanish 21 Online
Most of these bonuses do not pay if you have split or doubled.
Online Games Rules & House Edge Comparison
You will find deviations of Spanish Blackjacks that will alter the house edge, but most casinos will use the same rules. The edge using the standard rules is 0.40%
Microgaming:
8 decks
You can split 3 times.
You can re-double once and receive additional card.
No US players
Odds: 99.58%
Where to play: Jackpot City Casino
Games OS:
8 decks.
Standard rules
No US players
Odds: 99.24%
Where to play: Guts Casino
BetSoft:
6 decks.
No Surrender available Why were playing cards invented.
Suited 7s with dealer's 7 pay $1000 for $5 – $24 bets. $5000 for higher bets.
Additional Match the Dealer side bet.
USA friendly
Odds: 99.30%
Where to play: Ignition Casino
RTG:
The number of decks is not disclosed.
Spanish 21 Online Casino
Standard Rules
Suited 7s with dealers 7 pay 40:1.
USA friendly
Odds: 99.22%
Where to play: Vegas Casino Online
Spanish Blackjack Tips
The main strategy is to utilize the choice to double down at any time. Use this always when you have a total of 11, regardless of what the dealer shows. You also want to take advantage of the option to split Aces.
Avoid trying to hit the bonus payouts, such as going for a 5 card 21 and so on. Doing so will deviate from an optimal strategy; and the payoff when you do win the bonus will not compensate for the loss of statistical advantages.
Overall, Spanish 21 is a fun game to play and has a low house edge. So, if you're looking for a new way to play blackjack, Spanish 21 could be your answer.