1. Blackjack Spanish 21 Strategy Card
2. Blackjack Spanish 21 Strategy Card Dealer Stays On Soft 17
3. Blackjack Spanish 21 Strategy Chart
4. Blackjack Spanish 21 Strategy Tactics
5. Blackjack Spanish 21 Strategy Tips
6. Spanish 21 Blackjack Strategy
7. Blackjack Spanish 21 Strategy For Beginners

Spanish 21 is similar to Pontoon and is usually found under the mopniker of, ‘ Spanish Blackjack,’ and can sometimes be found online under the name, ‘ Pirate Blackjack,’ but for the most part, it can be found in brick-and-mortar casinos. Aug 03, 2019 The basic strategy for Spanish 21 is easy enough to learn, but it has some subtleties that you don’t worry about in regular blackjack. This is mostly because of the bonus payouts based on the number of cards in your hand. But with a house edge as low as 0.4%, Spanish 21 with basic strategy is one of the best bets in the casino. Spanish 21 is a difficult game to learn by most standards. The strategy varies drastically from most other blackjack variants. There are two reasons for this. One is because there are no tens in the deck.

Spanish 21 was one of the earliest blackjack variants to be spread in a casino. It has seen a revival in recent years. However, the rules are not as generous as they once were.

Spanish 21 is a difficult game to learn by most standards. The strategy varies drastically from most other blackjack variants.

There are two reasons for this. One is because there are no tens in the deck. Jacks, queens, and kings remain. Another is bonus pays that have to do with making hands that equal 21.

It is difficult to find Spanish 21 these days. Venetian and Palazzo offer it in Las Vegas. Most Atlantic City casinos spread it.

Otherwise, it is nearly extinct, apart from at many online casinos, though it is sometimes referred to by another name.

Differences Between Spanish 21 and Traditional Blackjack

There are many differences between Spanish 21 and the traditional version of the game.

The most obvious difference is the absence of tens in the deck. Other 10-value cards are in there. This makes each deck 48 cards. Live Spanish 21 games use six or eight decks.

A player blackjack always wins, even if the dealer also has one. If a player draws to 21, the hand wins immediately.

Double down is permitted on any number of cards. Players may surrender at any time, even after a double down. This is referred to as double down rescue. Split aces may be hit, re-split, and doubled.

There are special payouts for certain 21 hands.

• A 21 with a 6, 7, and 8 or with three 7s receives 3-2 if it is not suited
• A 21 with a 6, 7, and 8 or with three 7s receives 2-1 when suited (excluding spades)
• A 21 with a 6, 7, and 8 or with three 7s receives 3-1 when all spades
• A five-card 21 pays 3-2
• A six-card 21 pays 2-1
• A seven-card 21 pays 3-1

None of these bonus payouts occur if the player doubles down.

The first step in playing Spanish 21 is making a wager.

At a live casino, place your wager in the betting circle in front of you. You may play more than one hand for double the minimum bet.

At an online casino, click the denomination of chips that you would like to use. After that, click the betting circle the number of times that equals the bet that you would like to make.

Once your bet is established, each player receives two cards. The player’s cards are dealt face up. The dealer has one card placed up and the other down.

If the player has a blackjack, it is paid 3-2 immediately. If the dealer shows an ace, insurance is offered. It pays 2-1.

The dealer will check for blackjack if showing a jack, queen, king, or ace. If the dealer has blackjack, all players still in the hand lose. Player blackjacks are already paid at this point. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the hand continues as normal.

Players have the option to hit, stand, double down, or surrender. To hit, or draw a card, tap the table in front of you at a live Spanish 21 game. At an online casino, click the hit button.

You may hit until you make a 21 or six-card charlie and automatically win or until your count is 22 or higher, which is a bust. If you bust, your bet loses.

To stand at a live game, wave your hand above your bet. At an online casino, there is a button that does this. This means that you are satisfied with your point total and do not want more cards.

To double down, meaning taking one card and standing, place an equal bet to the original one next to it. Simply click the appropriate button at an online version of Spanish 21.

You may double down on any number of cards, keeping in mind that bonus 21 pays do not apply if you do.

To surrender, run your finger in front of your bet. This option is also available at online casinos. You may surrender on any number of cards. It is also permitted after a double down.

Split is available if you are dealt a pair. Place an equal wager to the original bet to do this. This is the same live and online. This will turn your pair into two hands with a new card placed on each.

Double down and surrender are available after splitting on any number of cards. Aces may be hit, doubled, or re-split.

Blackjack Spanish 21 Strategy Card

If the player makes a 21 at any time, it is paid immediately. Players cannot push on 21. Some 21s have bonus payouts, as previously outlined.

Once all players have acted, the dealer shows its hole card. If the dealer has 18 or higher, or hard 17, it stands. If it has 16 or lower, or soft 17, it hits. A soft 17 is an ace plus one or more cards that total 6. A hard hand is one that can bust.

Once the dealer’s hand is established, it is compared to each player’s cards.

• If the dealer has a higher total than the player, the player’s bets lose
• If the player has a higher point total than the dealer, even money is paid unless the hand qualifies for a special payout or 21 is made. Those are paid instantly
• If the player and dealer have the same hand that is not 21, the hand is a push, and the bet is returned to the player

Spanish 21 strategy differs substantially from the standard version of the game. This is due to the lack of tens in the deck and bonus payouts. Follow the list below for the best strategy to win at Spanish 21.

Blackjack Spanish 21 Strategy Card Dealer Stays On Soft 17

• 4 through 8: Always hit
• 9: Double down against a 6; otherwise, hit
• 10: Double down against 2 through 8; otherwise, hit
• 11: Always double down
• 12: Always hit
• 13: Stand against 6; otherwise, hit
• 14: Stand against 4, 5, or 6; otherwise, hit
• 15: Stand against 2 through 6; otherwise, hit
• 16: Stand against 2 through 6; surrender against ace; otherwise, hit
• 17: Surrender against ace; otherwise, hit
• 18 and higher: Always stand

A soft hand is one with an ace that cannot bust. Play those hands according to the following list.

• Soft 13 and 14: Always hit
• Soft 15: Double down against 6; otherwise, hit
• Soft 16: Double down against 5 and 6; otherwise, hit
• Soft 17: Double down against 4 through 6; otherwise, hit
• Soft 18: Stand against 2, 3, 7, and 8. Double down against 4 through 6; otherwise, hit
• Soft 19 and 20: Always stand

A player dealt a pair may split. The list below shows how to play them.

• 2s and 3s: Split against 2 through 8; otherwise, hit
• 4s and 5s: Never split
• 6s: Split against 4, 5, and 6; otherwise, hit
• 7s: Split against 2 through 7; otherwise, hit
• 8s: Always split, except surrender against an ace
• 9s: Stand against 2, 7, 10, and ace; otherwise, split
• 10s: Always stand
• Aces: Always split

There are several strategy changes once a hand is hit. The reason that changes is because of the payouts for winning 21 hands and six-card charlies.

The following rules apply to hard hands after hitting.

• 10: Hit against 8 on three cards, 7 on four cards, and 2 and 3 on five cards
• 11: Hit on three cards against 10 or ace, four cards against 2, 7, 8, and 9, and five cards against 3 through 6
• 13: Hit against a 6 with four or more cards
• 14: Hit against 4 on four cards and on 5 cards against 5 and 6 cards
• 15: Hit against a 2 on four cards and against 13 through 15 on five cards
• 16: Hit against 2 through 4 on six cards
• 17: Hit against 8, 9, or 10 on six cards

A soft hand is when a player has an ace, and the hand cannot bust. Follow the list below when you hold a hand like this after three or more cards.

• Soft 15: Hit against 6 on four cards
• Soft 16: Hit against 5 on three cards and 6 on four cards
• Soft 17: Hit against 4 on three cards, 5 on four cards, and 6 on five cards
• Soft 18: Hit on four cards against 2 through 4 and 8 on five cards against 6 and 7
• Soft 19 and 20: Always hit on 5 cards

Spanish 21 is spread at most Atlantic City casinos. The list includes Borgata, Caesars, Golden Nugget, Harrah’s, Resorts, and Tropicana.

It is also found live at Venetian and Palazzo in Las Vegas. Most online casinos spread the game.

Blackjack Spanish 21 Strategy Chart

If you are in Atlantic City, we feel Borgata is the best choice for Spanish 21. That is because comps at Borgata have a higher value than most of its competitors.

If you prefer to play Spanish 21 at an online casino, Microgaming ones are the best. Many bonuses permit blackjack at a lower clear rate.

Spanish 21 can be a fun change of pace from traditional blackjack games.

If you are skilled enough to learn the strategy for it, we recommend it. If you are not, we feel that you are better off playing one of the more traditional versions of the game.

Spanish 21 is a variation of the standard game Blackjack with a few differences. This article concentrates on those differences and assumes you know the basic rules of Blackjack. This can be found in this separate article if you need a refresher.

Blackjack Spanish 21 Strategy Tactics

Spanish 21 vs Blackjack

The main difference between Spanish 21 and most other forms of Blackjack is that it is played with a Spanish deck of cards that has 48 cards instead of the usual 52 – the deck is the same with all 10’s removed.

As a 10 is an important card in all forms of Blackjack, you would have thought that this gives a huge advantage to the House. You would be correct if that was the only change, however, a number of other features have been added in an attempt to offset this. Spanish 21 actually has a slightly better edge for the player than many forms of Blackjack.

Spanish 21 Rules

• Late Surrender is allowed, not just after your first 2 cards have been dealt

• You are able to Double after a Split

• You can re Split Aces

• A hand with 21 always wins even if the Dealer also gets 21

• Blackjack always wins even if the Dealer also gets Blackjack

• You can Double at any time after as many cards as you wish

• You can normally Hit and Double after Splitting Aces – this can vary so is worth checking

• You can Surrender after Doubling, known as Double Down rescue. You lose your initial stake which is effectively getting back half your total outlay for the initial stake and the Double

Variation of Rules

Spanish 21 does have some variables which differ depending on where you play so be sure you check these before you start playing.

• Either 6 decks or 8 decks of cards are used

• The dealer can sometimes Hit or Stand on soft 17 – a hand that includes an Ace meaning the Dealer has 7 or 17

• Some casinos will allow you to Double a hand up to 3 times

• Some casinos will not pay the bonus amounts after you Split a hand

Above is an example of the layout for a Spanish 21 table. This particular version sees the Dealer stand on all 17’s, other than this you will see it is very similar to a standard Blackjack table.

Spanish 21 Odds & Payouts

Payouts and odds can be slightly different from regular Blackjack.

• A 5-card 21 pays 3 to 2, a 6-card 21 pays 2 to 1 and 7-card or higher 21 pays 3 to 1. This bonus doesn’t count if you have previously Doubled

• A hand consisting of 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of mixed suits pays 3 to 2, if suited it pays 2 to 1. Either of these hands with all Spades pays 3 to 1. Again, this doesn’t count if you have previously Doubled

• A suited 7-7-7 when the Dealer has a 7 face up pay $1,000 if your bet is between $5 and $24 and a whopping $5,000 Super Bonus if your bet was $25 or more. If you are playing live with other players, they will each receive a $50 ‘Envy Bonus’ if this comes in.

Spanish 21 Strategy

There are several variable rules for Spanish 21, which affect some of the decisions for an optimal strategy. The below Spanish 21 basic strategy is based on casinos that use 6 decks and the Dealer stands on a soft 17, which is the most common variation of the game.

Hard Hands – No Ace

H = Hit D = Double D2 = Double except Hit with x or more cards
SR = Surrender S = Stand S2 = Stand except Hit with x or more cards

Due to the bonus if you get 21 with 4 or more cards, in some instances it is best to Hit and go for these, in the above chart the number next to an action denotes the minimum number of cards you need in order to Hit as opposed to Stand or Double

Soft Hands – With an Ace

H = Hit D = Double D2 = Double except Hit with x or more cards
S = Stand S2 = Stand except Hit with x or more cards

Due to the bonus if you get 21 with 4 or more cards, in some instances it is best to Hit and go for these, in the above chart the number next to an action denotes the minimum number of cards you need in order to Hit as opposed to Stand or Double.

Pairs

H = Hit D = Double
S = Stand SP = Split SP* = Split except for Suited 7’s in which case Hit

Double Down Surrender when you have 12-16 Vs 8-A, 17 Vs A

Never Split 4’s, 5’s or 10’s

Spanish 21 Tips

There are many extra things to remember in Spanish 21 compared to standard Blackjack, remember the extra bonus payouts for getting 21 with 4 or more cards and getting 7-7-7 or 7-8-9. These don’t count if you were to Double though, so in situations where you feel you have a chance to hit these, ensure you follow the table above for the optimal chance of winning.

Don’t be afraid to Surrender – It is better to admit defeat and get some of your bet back in certain circumstances than continuing and losing it all when the odds are against you. Spanish 21 gives you the chance to Surrender at any time, ensure you make the most of it to stay ahead of the game.

Blackjack Spanish 21 Strategy Tips

Play for fun first if you want to learn the game properly – This is especially important when playing Spanish 21 as there are different features and rules than in standard Blackjack. We, therefore, recommend you play with free chips until you get the hang of this version when you have a better chance of finishing up.

Always play only with money you can afford to lose – this is the same for all casino games which should be fun – if you don’t enjoy it or are gambling with money you cannot afford to lose your mindset will not help the situation giving you a bigger chance of losing.

Spanish 21 Blackjack Strategy

Blackjack References:

How to Count Cards
Blackjack For Real Money

Blackjack Spanish 21 Strategy For Beginners

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