Spanish 21 Blackjack is one of the many variants of the Blackjack standard game. However, its unique features have made it popular at physical and online casinos.
Unlike traditional online Blackjack, Spanish 21 has several distinguishing features. We’ll clarify these differences in this casino news, so take your time to read through before playing a Spanish Blackjack game.
Spanish 21: Unique Features of a Blackjack Variant
If you check any Spanish Blackjack guide, you’ll find out that it still follows the basic traditional Blackjack rules. Players get two face-up cards; the closest hand to 21 without busting wins. What, then, are the unique features of Spanish 21? Here are they
Number of Decks
The first unique feature of this variant, amongst many others, is the number of cards in the deck. Other variants, like Pontoon 21, Blackjack Switch, etc., use the complete cards in a standard 52-card deck. But, Spanish 21 uses a “Spanish deck,” which consists of a standard 52-card deck with all the 10s removed. Since all ten cards are removed, the deck will be reduced to 48.
Removing all ten cards in the deck automatically affects the drawing of cards and the player’s fundamental strategy decisions. Then, the use of a regular Blackjack Strategy Chart will have to change focus, because of the ten cards removed.
Bonus Payouts in Spanish 21
Another unique feature of the Spanish 21 Blackjack is the bonus payouts for some specific hands. Based on certain combinations of cards, the online casino awards these bonuses to any player who forms them. These combinations are:
- A hand consisting of five cards with a combined value of 21 points.
- A 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 hand of different suits totals precisely 21 points. This combination has a bigger bonus compared to the former.
Double Down After Splits
In Spanish 21 Blackjack, players can double down after splitting their initial pair of cards. With a good strategy, the unique feature of splitting pairs and then doubling down can increase one’s chances of winning.
Late Surrender
To surrender means surrendering your hand after receiving the initial two cards and forfeiting half the bet. In the case of Spanish Blackjack, players can surrender late when the dealer checks for Blackjack.
Double Down Rescue
If you don’t like the additional card the dealer gives you after doubling down, you can “rescue” your original doubled bet. However, you have to sacrifice your original wager to do this. Once you do that, you’ll exit the round.
Player- Friendly Rules
There are a few player-friendly rules in the Spanish Blackjack variant. Some of them are:
- Blackjack always defeats the dealer’s 21.
- Regardless of the dealer’s hand, all player 21s get paid.
Spanish 21 Free Double Downs
Depending on the Spanish Blackjack casino you play at, free double downs are offered to players, allowing them to double down on certain hand totals without placing an additional bet equal to the ante wager.
Spanish 21 House Edge
Spanish 21 features an impressive low house edge between 0.4% and 0.7%, although it varies based on the casino’s specific rules. The house edge varies due to several factors, such as the number of cards in the deck used, certain bonus payouts, and rules for doubling down, splitting, and surrendering. The house edge can be kept low if played with an optimal strategy.
Remember that the house edge is a theoretical and calculated average over an extended playing time. Therefore, your result will depend on how well you practice and your luck. The house edge can always be the same for everyone.
Learning and understanding the rules of playing is necessary to increase your chances of winning in Spanish Blackjack. Employ optimal strategies such as the primary strategy chart, 52 factorial, knowing when to hit and stand, etc.
In addition, whatever strategy you plan to use, remember that Spanish Blackjack is not the same as variants like Match the Dealer Blackjack or European Blackjack because of the absence of 10s in the deck and bonus payouts.
Follow the online casino reviews that many players leave online, to find the best version of Blackjack that suits your playing needs.
Final Thoughts
As a player who loves playing variants of Blackjack and seeks challenging casino games, you’ll find Spanish Blackjack exciting and rewarding. Initially, gameplay may be confusing, but with the Vegas Aces Casino guide, you will learn how to play the game and practice.
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