Blackjack Vs Spanish 21 Odds

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Since there are no tens, it appears more often than in traditional blackjack (1/12 compared with 1/13). In Spanish 21 it is allowed to re-split aces and hit more than one card after splitting aces, making an ace even more favorable for players. Blackjack is paid 3:2 even if the dealer also has blackjack (due to higher values of aces).

Players around the world play Blackjack due to its challenging rules and the opportunity to gain advantage over the casino by having the needed strategy, knowledge and skills. As one of the most popular card games of all times, it has a number of variations, most of which have been developed over the years by professional gamblers. Some versions appealed so much to a large number of Blackjack fans that they have become an inseparable part of the classic game and are offered by many casinos along.

Moreover, players can enjoy many of the variations online which makes it extremely easy for them to play whenever and wherever they want. It is worth mentioning that it is highly recommended to choose a reputable casino when playing online as this is the only way they can be sure that their sensitive information will receive high level of protection. Also, it is always essential to double check the rules of the variation in advance as in some online casinos they can vary.

One association that comes to mind immediately to most experienced players when they think of Blackjack is the variation Spanish 21. It is undoubtedly one of the most widespread versions of the game and it is incredibly popular all over the world. This variation is easy to grasp and learn as it resembles the classic game a lot, however what makes it different and enticing is the added interesting 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 casinos. The ownership of Spanish 21 is held by Masque Publishing Inc. which is a company, based in Colorado. This version is also commonly known as Spanish Blackjack even though this name is not an official one and it resembles another very popular variation of the classic game – the 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 the way the cards are valued are exactly the same as in the classic game and the players also compete against the dealer. This is the reason why it is best to get familiar with the basics of the classic game first in order to grasp the additional rules and differences of this version more easily.

One major difference in this version is not only the number of involved decks but also the cards that they consist of. In general, the standard pack has 52-cards but in this variation, only 48 cards are used as the rules enforce all of the tens to be removed from each deck. The number of the included decks in the game is usually six or eight, without any tens in them. Another difference Spanish 21 has in comparison to the classic game, is that whenever players' hand totals twenty one, they automatically win, regardless of the cards of the dealer.

Doubling down is allowed on any two cards and also this move can be made after splitting. The option to surrender is available after doubling down, meaning that players lose their initial bet but get to keep the wager they made when they doubled down. In most cases the rules enforce the dealer to hit on soft 17 and there is a hole card, meaning that he peeks for Blackjack. It is worth mentioning that the additional rules and specifications in this variation differ from one casino to another and should be always considered in advance.

Payout in Spanish 21

Due to the rule that players always win once they reach twenty one, regardless of the cards of the dealer, they are paid differently depending on the number of cards which formed the total. In this sense, they are paid 3/2 when they make Blackjack using five cards. If the case is that they happen to win using six cards, the payout is 2/1 and if seven or more cards are involved – 3/1. The payout can sometimes vary and just to be on the safe side, it is best to double check it prior to playing as after all it determines players' chances of making a decent profit.

Advantages of Spanish 21

In Spanish 21, players are allowed to make different moves which can work in their favour if made in the appropriate time. There aren't as much restrictions as in the classic game which gives them the needed freedom for their choices for their moves and bets. One of the best advantages of this version is that whenever players have a total of twenty one in their hands they automatically win. This rule gives them moderately 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 make it harder for the players to reach twenty one and can be considered as a major drawback. The high number of packs involved – six or eight, makes it very difficult for card counters to successfully keep track of the cards and derive the needed valuable information. Moreover, it is compulsory for players to take their time and adjust their basic strategy accordingly due to the fact that no tens are involved.

Conclusion

Spanish 21 is played by hundreds of players worldwide and it is one of the most well-known variations of Blackjack. Nowadays a lot of casinos offer this version due to its popularity and enticing rules. It is considered to work in favour of the players and this is the reason why many decide to give it a try. However, they should always get familiar with its subtleties and specifications in order to reduce their money losses as much as possible.

Just like any other variation, it requires solid knowledge of the basics of the classic game as it uses its fundamental principles and rules. It is also compulsory to know the basic strategy backwards and forwards and to make the needed 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.

Good question. Yes, this house edge is definitely low enough to consider card counting. Since most card counters don't even consider Spanish 21 I think the field is ripe to exploit the game and to do so with a great deal of impunity. However counting may not be as effective in Spanish 21 as regular blackjack. A small card rich deck will benefit the player in more multiple card 21's. To the best of my knowledge nobody has developed index numbers for Spanish 21 but somebody should. Maybe I will.

Blackjack Vs Spanish 21 Odds Chart

Casino Player reversed the two charts in their layout. I'm very embarrassed by this mistake. Yes, you should hit a hard 17 against an ace if you can't surrender.

In a 6-deck game the probability of a super bonus is 1 in 668382, and in an 8-deck game it is 1 in 549188. The house edge without the super bonus would be 0.03% more either way.

Spanish 21! Under Atlantic City rules blackjack has a house edge of 0.43% and Spanish 21 of .40%.

The Venetian. To the best of my knowledge they are the only casino in Las Vegas which stands on a soft 17 in Spanish 21, lowering the house edge from 0.76% to 0.40%.
Update: The Venetian later switched to hitting a soft 17. As of this update (May 14, 2013) the best Spanish 21 game is at the D, which allows re-doubling.

All Unified Gaming casinos as well as Global Player offer Spanish 21. Unified Gaming stands on a soft 17 and thus has the lower house edge.
2013 Update: Unified Gaming software has since disappeared. As far as I know, nobody offers Spanish 21 online any longer.

Disadvantages of Spanish 21

As previously mentioned, all of the tens are taken out of the decks which make it harder for the players to reach twenty one and can be considered as a major drawback. The high number of packs involved – six or eight, makes it very difficult for card counters to successfully keep track of the cards and derive the needed valuable information. Moreover, it is compulsory for players to take their time and adjust their basic strategy accordingly due to the fact that no tens are involved.

Conclusion

Spanish 21 is played by hundreds of players worldwide and it is one of the most well-known variations of Blackjack. Nowadays a lot of casinos offer this version due to its popularity and enticing rules. It is considered to work in favour of the players and this is the reason why many decide to give it a try. However, they should always get familiar with its subtleties and specifications in order to reduce their money losses as much as possible.

Just like any other variation, it requires solid knowledge of the basics of the classic game as it uses its fundamental principles and rules. It is also compulsory to know the basic strategy backwards and forwards and to make the needed 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.

Good question. Yes, this house edge is definitely low enough to consider card counting. Since most card counters don't even consider Spanish 21 I think the field is ripe to exploit the game and to do so with a great deal of impunity. However counting may not be as effective in Spanish 21 as regular blackjack. A small card rich deck will benefit the player in more multiple card 21's. To the best of my knowledge nobody has developed index numbers for Spanish 21 but somebody should. Maybe I will.

Blackjack Vs Spanish 21 Odds Chart

Casino Player reversed the two charts in their layout. I'm very embarrassed by this mistake. Yes, you should hit a hard 17 against an ace if you can't surrender.

In a 6-deck game the probability of a super bonus is 1 in 668382, and in an 8-deck game it is 1 in 549188. The house edge without the super bonus would be 0.03% more either way.

Spanish 21! Under Atlantic City rules blackjack has a house edge of 0.43% and Spanish 21 of .40%.

The Venetian. To the best of my knowledge they are the only casino in Las Vegas which stands on a soft 17 in Spanish 21, lowering the house edge from 0.76% to 0.40%.
Update: The Venetian later switched to hitting a soft 17. As of this update (May 14, 2013) the best Spanish 21 game is at the D, which allows re-doubling.

All Unified Gaming casinos as well as Global Player offer Spanish 21. Unified Gaming stands on a soft 17 and thus has the lower house edge.
2013 Update: Unified Gaming software has since disappeared. As far as I know, nobody offers Spanish 21 online any longer.

Thanks for the compliment. The Spanish 21 rules are the same across Atlantic City. I only know of two that have the game, the Tropicana and the Claridge, but there could be others by now. If I'm not mistaken, the best craps game is at the Sands, which offers 5X odds. When I say to take the maximum odds I mean bet the maximum allowed on the odds. For example, $50 after a $10 line bet. Keep in mind that you won't win more money by taking the odds, you just get to bet more without losing more in the long run.

I always liked the name Thunder Bay for a city. I used to work at a summer camp not too far from there in Missanabie, Ontario. To answer your question 6 decks is better than 8. However the difference in the house edge is small, only about 0.03%.

Q1. For 17 v A (your reference - Rh). If the player doesn't surrender (or double down surrender), does he in fact hit? I ask this question because I'm a little unsure - Scoblete's book says to stand 17 v A, as does Norm Wattenberger's Spanish 21 strategy table in CVBJ3.

Q2. Your references to the 6-7-8 bonuses. Do all the references apply equally to the 7-7-7 bonuses? e.g. Does * mean 'Hit if any 6-7-8 [OR 7-7-7] bonus possible'?

Q3. p20 of Scoblete's Spanish 21 book says to hit 9 v 6 if player has a 3 card 9. Should I ignore this advice, along with the 'don't double down rescue' advice given in his book?

Sorry to bother you with these questions but I've got a Spanish 21 tournament coming up, and need all the help I can get. Many thanks.

1. Yes, you should hit. I believe all those who disagree to be in error.
2. No, the 7-7-7 bonus is only possible with two initial sevens. The proper strategy is indicated in that row.
3. Yes, you should ignore this advice.

I get verbally abused too when I play Spanish 21. When I lived in Baltimore I played it a lot in Atlantic City because the house edge is lower than blackjack there. These idiots doing the abusing don't understand that removing the tens from the decks makes hitting less dangerous because the probability of busting is less. Don't bother to try to explain this, the logic won't make it through their thick skulls. I used to just bite my tongue in these situations but the next time I may not be so nice.

There was discussion about this at www.bj21.com under the Green Chip section about a couple years ago. As I recall the consensus was that counting was not as advantageous as in blackjack but you could get away with a lot more. I know of no published material on this.

Most redoubling situations tell you to double anyway. However, with a soft 15 to 17 against a 3, when the strategy says hit, you should actually redouble.

Thanks. This game is just a rip-off of Spanish 21. Note that the bottom of the card says that all queens are removed.

Keeping all the tens in the deck is worth 1.89% to the player. The house edge under those rules is normally 0.40%. So with all the tens in the shoe, the player edge would be 1.89%-0.40% = 1.49%.

I don't like it when games give worse odds to the higher bettors either. The value of these Super Bonuses is almost zero. The probability of hitting the Super Bonus is one in 549,000 with eight decks, and one in 668,000 million with six decks. Assuming six decks, the value of the envy bonus is worth 0.0015% per additional player, besides yourself. Sorry, I don't know of any casinos that sweeten the bonuses for larger bets.

Not knowing, however, where to find it, and others, I usually wind up writing to the maker of the game at their website and asking where I can find their game outside of Nevada, since I am in the Midwest. I NEVER get an answer! Besides being just bad customer service, I still have the question of finding the game to be answered. Do you know of a site, or a way, to find which specific games are at which casinos? You would think the game's manufacturer would list where to find it to assist in letting players find the game.

Thanks for the kind words. I think the gaming manufacturers should take this as a good suggestion. I get requested for this information by players all the time, but it is simply too much for one person to keep on top of. A noteworthy exception is Masque Publishing, the owners of Spanish 21. They keep an online list of where the liberal Spanish 21 rules can be found.

For the sake of simplicity, let's assume re-splitting aces is not allowed. Also recall that Spanish 21 uses 48-card Spanish decks with no 10's. Finally, recall that 21 points is an automatic winner in Spanish 21.

Even without that rule, the player should always split aces. The probability of getting a pair of aces in a four Spanish-deck game is combin(16,2)/combin(192,2) = 120/18336 = 0.65%.

The probability each ace will get a 10 is (4*12)/(48*12-2) = 48/190 = 25.26%. With two aces, the expected number that will turn into blackjacks is 2*48/190 = 96/190 = 0.5053.

Each blackjack will be worth an extra half unit. Thus, the value of this rule is (120/18336)*(96/190)*(1/2) = 0.17%.

Blackjack Vs Spanish 21 Odds Today

Even with this rule, the player should still not split tens, so we don't need to worry about that. So, this rule lowers the house edge by 0.17%.