Free Blackjack / Spanish 21
Spanish 21
Spanish 21 is blackjack played with Spanish decks: all four 10s are taken out of every deck, leaving 48 cards. Losing the 10s hurts the player, so the game gives back friendlier rules and bonus payouts.
What's different
| Rule | Spanish 21 | Regular blackjack |
|---|---|---|
| Cards | 48 per deck, no 10s (jacks, queens and kings stay) | 52 per deck |
| Your 21 | Always wins | Pushes against a dealer 21 |
| Your blackjack vs dealer blackjack | Yours wins | Push |
| Double down | On any number of cards | First two cards only |
| Surrender | Late surrender, plus surrender after doubling at many tables | Some tables |
Bonus payouts
| Hand | Pays |
|---|---|
| 5-card 21 | 3 to 2 |
| 6-card 21 | 2 to 1 |
| 7 or more cards to 21 | 3 to 1 |
| 6-7-8 or 7-7-7, mixed suits | 3 to 2 |
| 6-7-8 or 7-7-7, same suit | 2 to 1 |
| 6-7-8 or 7-7-7, spades | 3 to 1 |
Bonuses usually don't pay after you double. Payouts can differ by casino, so read the felt.
The house edge
With good rules, around 0.4%, close to a good regular blackjack game. At tables where the dealer hits soft 17 and you can't redouble, it's closer to 0.8%.
Strategy is different
With fewer 10s, doubling and standing are weaker, so Spanish 21 strategy hits and doubles less than regular basic strategy. A regular chart won't fit. Learn regular blackjack here first: when to hit or stand.
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Questions
What is removed in Spanish 21?
The four 10s from every deck. Jacks, queens and kings stay, so each deck has 48 cards.
Does player 21 always win in Spanish 21?
Yes. A player 21 beats a dealer 21, and a player blackjack beats a dealer blackjack.
Is Spanish 21 better than blackjack?
About the same with good rules, around 0.4% house edge. Worse rule sets push it near 0.8%.
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