Spanish blackjack (also known as Spanish 21 blackjack) is another derivative of the classic table game. Since being introduced in brick-and-mortar casinos in the 1990s, the casino game has grown to become popular in the gambling community, which is why you can play it online.
If you would like to learn more about Spanish blackjack, you’ve come to the right place. Below we explain all you need to know about this amazing card game, including:
The differences between regular blackjack and Spanish blackjack
Spanish blackjack is another variation of blackjack. The game was introduced in casinos around the world during the mid-90s and has remained popular ever since. There are a few differences between Spanish and standard European blackjack. The most notable are:
Spanish 21 Blackjack Rules
Spanish 21 is played with shoes of 6 to 8 decks. But all 10s are removed, so the number of cards per deck is 48 cards instead of 52.
Your hand cannot go over a total of 21.
The player’s 21 beats the dealer’s 21.
The house edge is around 1.76%.
Late surrender, double downs, splitting, and double splitting are all allowed.
You can surrender after doubling down. This is called a “double down rescue.”
Players can surrender on the first two cards.
Dealers need to hit on a soft 17.
There are bonus betting options for getting “Perfect Charlies.”
Players are allowed to draw a couple of cards after splitting aces.
Spanish 21 vs. Blackjack Odds
A few of Spanish blackjack’s unique rules favor the player over the dealer. But to counteract this, there are also some that favor the dealer over the player.
For example, dealers need to hit on a soft 17, whereas they stand in other variations. This gives the dealer an extra chance to win in the event of a push, which isn’t exactly favorable for players. But then you can surrender practically whenever you want in this game, which is a rule in favor of the player.
Overall, the house edge for Spanish 21 is around 0.40% and 0.76% when you use basic strategy. Depending on the situation, this is lower than the 0.62% seen when basic strategy is applied to European blackjack.
Spanish 21 Blackjack Strategy
Here are some basic tips you should keep in mind when playing Spanish blackjack:
On a hard 16 – surrender if the dealer has an Ace. Hit against a 7 and a 16 made up of at least five cards.
On a hard 17 – again, surrender if the dealer has an Ace. If the dealer has a score of between eight and 10, stand.
On a soft 13, 14, or 15 – always hit.
On a soft 16 – it is in your interest to double down if the dealer’s hand features a six. You should also hit if your 16 is made up of more than four cards.
On a pair of 2s or 3s – split your hand if the dealer has cards between three and seven.
On a pair of 9s – we advise you to split if the dealer has a score of between three and six.
If you have never played Spanish 21 before, we recommend learning how to play using the free play mode at a casino before wagering any real money.
