If you're keen on mastering Spanish 21, it's essential to know that it's a blackjack variant with some unique distinctions. Similar to blackjack, the aim of Spanish 21 is to have a hand worth 21 or as near to 21 as possible without exceeding it.
However, Spanish 21 employs a different deck of cards and provides players with more opportunities to win, such as a bonus payout for specific hands. Additionally, it's essential to acquaint yourself with the regulations and tactics of Spanish 21 before playing in order to enhance your chances of success. So, let's delve deeper into some of the aspects mentioned earlier.
Basic Rules of Spanish 21
If you want to play Spanish 21, you should be familiar with the basic rules. Here are some key points to keep in mind before engaging in the game:
Deck
The game is played with a Spanish deck consisting of 48 cards.
Card Values
Ace can be worth 1 or 11 points, cards between 2 and 9 retain their numerical value, and cards 10, J, Q, and K have a value of 10 points.
Objective
The goal is to score higher than the dealer without exceeding 21 points.
Dealing
After the player has placed their bet, the dealer deals two cards to each player and two to themselves. One of the dealer's cards is shown face up, while the other, known as the "Hole Card," is shown face down.
Player's Turn
Once the player has turned to act, the dealer reveals their whole card. If the dealer has less than 17, they will draw another card. If they exceed 21 points, the players who have not lost will win.
Player Options
Once the game has started, participants have the following options:
- Stick: Stay with the first two cards that the dealer gives you.
- Twist: The player twists for another card from the deck (and more if desired). If the card results in the player exceeding 21 points, they automatically lose the bet.
- Double Down: The player can double their bet and only get one more card. If the player has a pair of cards with the same value, they can double their bet and separate their cards into two individual hands.
- Surrender: The player loses half of the bet, keeping the other half without playing their hand.
Winning Bets
Winning bets usually pay 1 to 1, while unique hands can pay up to 50 to 1, depending on the room.
Special Situations
Spanish 21 has some unique situations that differ from classic blackjack, such as:
Bonus Hands: Spanish 21 has a variety of bonus hands, such as 5-card 21s, 6-7-8 and 7-7-7 hands, and more.
Late Surrender: Players can surrender their hand and lose only half of their bet after the dealer checks for Blackjack.
No 10s: In Spanish 21, all of the 10s are removed from the deck, which changes the odds and strategies for the game.
Types of Hands in Spanish 21
In Spanish 21, the hands are divided into "Soft" and "Hard." A "Soft" hand is when you have an Ace with a value of 11 and cards between 2 to 7, where the combination can give an 18. On the other hand, a "Hard" hand is when a third card must be drawn, and the ace takes the value of 1. It's important to understand the difference between the two types of hands as it can impact your strategy in the game.
Easy Tricks to Play Spanish 21
The basic Spanish 21 rules boil down to knowing when to split, when to double, buy insurance, or hit a card. Statistically, you will increase your chances of winning by following quick and easy tips.
What TO DO in Spanish 21
✅Always split pairs of Aces (AA) or Eights (8-8).
✅Split pairs of 2, 3, 6, 7, and 9 as long as the dealer does not have a card of value 7 or higher.
✅Ask for a letter with 11 or less.
✅If you have between 12 and 16, hit when the dealer's card is 7 or higher.
✅It is a good idea not to hit with a strong hand that totals 17 or more.
✅With a soft hand totaling 17 or less, hit.
✅Use basic strategy.
What NOT TO DO in Spanish 21
❌Split pairs of values greater than 10: 10-10, JJ, QQ or KK.
❌Buy the insurance since the chance of the dealer holding an Ace is 30% of the time.
❌Hit when you have a 19 with low cards.
Counting Cards in Spanish 21
To count cards in Spanish 21, you need to assign a value to each dealt card. Cards 2 through 6 are assigned a value of +1, while cards 10 through Ace are assigned a value of -1. Cards 7 through 9 are considered neutral and are not assigned a value.
Keep a running count of these values as cards are dealt, and use this count to determine the true count by dividing the running count by the number of decks remaining in the shoe. You can make more informed betting and playing decisions by keeping track of the true count. However, it's important to remember that card counting is not foolproof and should only be used as a strategy in conjunction with responsible and mindful gameplay.
How to Play Spanish 21
Place Your Bets and Side Bets
Place your initial bets and side bets if you wish.
Receive your cards from the dealer
The dealer will distribute the cards to each player, ensuring that everyone has the correct number of cards and that the cards themselves are not tampered with or marked in any way that could give one player an unfair advantage. Once everyone has received their cards, the game can begin.
Choose your move
Determine if you want to surrender, split, double down, hit, or stand based on the value of your cards.
Compare Your Hand with the Dealer's Hand
Compare your hand with the dealer's hand to see if you have lost, tied, or won the hand.
Use the 'Rescue' or 'Surrender' Option
Remember that Spanish 21 has "rescue" or "surrender" options.
Keep the House Edge in Mind
Also, note that you won't have 10 cards and should keep the house edge in mind.
Note the Bonuses and Higher Payouts
The addition of bonuses and higher payouts is another difference, but the dealer will handle those unless you want to memorize them.
Dealer Will Inform You of Any Bonuses or Payouts
The dealer must inform you of any bonuses or payouts if you don't recall them.
Example of Hands in Spanish 21
The most important hand examples to remember would be bonus hands, which are the only additional payouts compared to regular blackjack:
🤲🃏Blackjack pays 3:2.
🤲🃏Insurance pays 2:1.
🤲🃏5 card 21 (up to 21 with a 5 card combination dealt) pays 3:2.
🤲🃏6 cards 21 pays 2:1.
🤲🃏7 or more cards 21 pays 3:1.
🤲🃏21 composed of three suited of 7 pays 2:1.
🤲🃏21 of three spades of 7 pays 3:1.
🤲🃏21 mixed 6, 7, and 8 suited pays 3:2.
However, if the player doubles, he/she will not be eligible for the bonus.
Strategies for Playing Spanish 21
There are two versions of Spanish 21: soft hands and hard hands. Stay tuned to learn how to play based on these strategies!
How to Play Hard Hands in Spanish 21
When playing Spanish 21, there are specific actions you should take based on the value of your hand and the dealer's face-up card. If your total is 18 or above, it's recommended to stand. If your hand is worth 8 or less, it's best to hit. For all other situations, follow the instructions below.
Hard 9: Double down if the dealer has a six and hit against all other cards. If your 9 is made up of three cards, it's better to hit instead of doubling.
Hard 10: Hit if the dealer has an eight or higher. If the dealer's face-up card is between two and seven, it's better to double down.
Hard 11: Double if the dealer has between a two and an eight. If the dealer's total is nine or more, it's best to hit instead.
Hard 12: You should always hit.
Hard 13: Hit if the dealer shows a two, three, four, seven, or higher. Stand if they have a five or six. If your thirteen is made up of five or more cards, it's recommended to hit if it's a sum of five or six.
Hard 14: Hit against two, three, seven, or higher face-up cards and stand against the rest. You can hit a four if your hard 14 comprises four or more cards. Players can also hit against fives and sixes if their hard 14 is a sum of five or more cards.
Hard 15: Hit if the dealer has a seven or higher. Depending on how many cards your hand is made up of, you can hit against lower values. Hit against two if you have four or more cards, against three and four if you have five or more cards, and against five and six if you have six cards.
Hard 16: Surrender if the dealer has an Ace. Hit if the dealer has a seven or higher. Hit against a two if your 16 has more than five cards. You can also hit against a three or four if it has six cards.
Hard 17: When facing an Ace with a difficulty 17, surrender. Stand if the dealer has 8, 9, or 10. Hitting is best if 17 is made of 6 or more cards.
How to Play Soft Hands in Spanish 21
If you have a hand that adds up to 19, 20, or 21, it's usually best to stand and not take any more cards. However, if you have a soft hand with a total of 13, 14, or 15, it's generally recommended that you hit and try to improve your hand.
Soft 16: For a soft hand of 16, the best strategy depends on the dealer's up card. If the dealer has a 6, it's usually best to double down. But if your soft 16 is made up of four or more cards, hitting might be the better option.
Soft 17: With more than four cards, hitting against two, three, and eight is usually the best option. Hit against a seven if your 17 is a combination of six or more cards. If you have more than four cards in your 17, hitting against a four is usually the best option. Finally, if your 17 is made up of five or more cards, hitting against five or six is typically the best strategy.
Soft 18: If your soft 18 is against the dealer's nine, ten, or ace, hitting is usually the best option. However, if the dealer has a two, three, seven, or eight, it might be better to stand. Double down if the dealer has four, five, or six.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I play Spanish 21?
Spanish 21 is available at both online and physical casinos, however, we recommend playing it at Wild.io.
What are the rules in Spanish 21?
Spanish 21 is a variation of blackjack that uses a Spanish deck of cards. It has some unique rules, such as allowing players to double down on any number of cards and offering bonus payouts for certain hands. The game also has no 10s in the deck, which changes the odds and strategy.
How do you win in Spanish 21?
To win in Spanish 21, there are multiple strategies you can use. Since the game uses a "Spanish Deck" with 48 cards and no "10" value cards, it's important to adjust your gameplay accordingly. Some essential tips include hitting on a soft 17, doubling down on 9, 10, or 11, and splitting pairs whenever possible.
It's also important to pay attention to the dealer's up card and adjust your strategy based on their potential hand. You can increase your chances of winning at Spanish 21 with practice and a solid understanding of the rules.
To sum it up
By following these recommended strategies, you can increase your chances of winning at Spanish 21 and improve your overall gameplay experience. To develop a bit further, practicing the dubbed Spanish 21 with a friend or family member may be helpful. You can also try reading up on different strategies and techniques to see which works best. Remember to always play responsibly and within your means. Good luck!
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