Spanish 21; More than Just a Game of Blackjack

Spanish 21 is played with 6-8 decks of cards which are known as Spanish decks. The only difference between a Spanish deck of cards and a regular deck of cards is that the 10 cards are taken out of the pack. This is where the misconception lies and many believe that playing Spanish 21 takes away the advantages to the player and that is favors the dealer. At face value this could be the case but when you delve deeper into the rules and potential bonuses of the game you can see that in fact there are many more advantages on offer for the player making it more than just a game of cards.

Advantages to the Player in Spanish 21

The basic concept and rules of Spanish 21 are the same as Blackjack with the aim being to get as close to 21 without going bust. The Blackjack i.e. 21 made up from an Ace and a face card still pays out the most at a rate of 3:2 but in addition there are other potential wins and bonuses that can be achieved. If a player and a dealer both get a Blackjack then the player always wins, there is no such thing as a draw or push in Spanish 21. The same goes for 21, a player's 21 always beats the dealers 21. If a player achieves 21 from 5 cards then the payout is 3:2, if he achieves it from 6 cards then the payout is 2:1 if he achieves it from 7 or more cards then the payout is 3:1 as long as the cards have not be doubled at any stage. (A double is when the player is allowed to double his bet after receiving his first two cards).

Spanish 21 Doubles and Splits

In fact when playing Spanish 21, the double down rule is not limited to just the first two cards, the player can double on any number of cards. As the game progresses the player is able to achieve greater winnings depending on the cards that he draws and has the chance to enhance these even more. Spanish 21 also allows a player to double his cards after a split which is not allowed in a regular Blackjack game. A split is when the player chooses to split two cards that are the same and make additional hands and bets. Players can also re-split Aces when playing Spanish 21 and choose a late surrender. Players are even allowed to surrender after doubling. This is known as a "double down rescue".

Bonus Payouts with Spanish 21

The icing on the cake of Spanish 21 has to be the bonuses that are paid out when a player has 7,7,7 of the same suits and the dealer also has a 7. If the bet was under $25 he is paid $1000 and if it was over $25 he is paid $5000. In addition the other players are paid a small sum known as the "envy bonus" which is a way of appeasing their jealousy. Seems like a win-win situation! A 6, 7, 8 of the same suit or a 7, 7, 7 without the dealer having a 7 pays a bonus of 2:1 and if the suits are mixed pays 3:2. As you can see despite the 10's being taken out of the decks of cards, the advantages to the player far outweigh the loss of the 10's. Spanish 21 not only provides a breath of fresh air for Blackjack players but some even prefer to play Spanish 21. It is always nice to know there are different variations of games around and Spanish 21 offers plenty to the player to choose from.