Spanish 21 Rules

Without question, blackjack is one of the most popular table games of all time, thanks to its easy-to-understand rules, a low house edge and wide availability on casino floors all over the world. But a variation of the game often referred to as “21” has also become an attractive option for casino players looking for a different twist on their favorite game.

Spanish 21 provides players with an entertaining combination of the fast action of blackjack with the increased payouts of a slot machine. There are multiple ways to win on every hand and if you understand the basic rules and strategy of traditional blackjack, Spanish 21 is very easy to learn and become comfortable with.

The main difference between Spanish 21 and traditional blackjack is that there are only 48 cards, with all of the 10s are removed, creating a “Spanish deck.” While on the surface this may sound like a disadvantage for the player since it’s much more difficult to hit “blackjack” without the help of 10s, there are other variations to the rules that are player friendly, including the fact that a player’s 21 beats a dealer’s 21, instead of what would be a “push” or “no bet” in blackjack.

In addition, players have the opportunity to “surrender” a hand, which isn’t always the case in blackjack. This means that if you are in a hand that has negative EV, you can surrender and get half your bet back, as long as the dealer doesn’t have blackjack.

Splitting hands is allowed in Spanish 21, but unlike traditional blackjack, a player can double down on a hand after splitting. And since hitting 21 is more rare in Spanish 21, when you do land the magic number, extra bonuses are available. For instance, if you make a 21 on a seven-card hand, the payoff is 3-to-1.

As mentioned, one of the main reasons blackjack is such a fan favorite in casinos is that following basic strategy can bring the house edge down to below 1% and the same goes for Spanish 21. So, it’s crucial to learn basic strategy before sitting down at a Spanish 21 table.