SPANISH 21 Rules Main Points:
- Spanish 21 uses a 48-card deck without 10s, increasing house edge but offering unique player advantages.
- Players aim to get as close to 21 as possible without going over, with flexible rules like late surrender and resplitting.
- Multiple bonus payouts exist, including Perfect Charlie and Match the Dealer side bet.
- Basic strategy varies depending on whether the dealer hits or stands on soft 17.
- Resplitting and late surrender significantly improve player odds compared to traditional blackjack.
OBJECTIVE OF SPANISH 21
The final goal of Spanish 21 is to create a hand as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. Players compete against the dealer, not other players, aiming to beat the dealer’s hand or have a higher total than the dealer without busting.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
1 to 7 players can participate in a single game of Spanish 21.
MATERIALS
A “Spanish” deck of 48 cards (all 10s removed), casino chips or cash, and a blackjack table with a custom layout for placing bets and tracking outcomes.
TYPE OF GAME
Card Draw Game
AUDIENCE
Adults
OVERVIEW OF SPANISH 21
Spanish 21 is a variation of classic blackjack that removes all 10-value cards (10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings) from the deck, resulting in a 48-card Spanish deck. This change alters the probabilities and introduces new strategic elements. The game features generous player-friendly rules such as late surrender, resplitting, and bonus payouts for specific hands, making it appealing to experienced players seeking enhanced odds.
GAMEPLAY
Players place their bets before the cards are dealt. The dealer distributes two cards to each player and themselves. Players then make decisions based on their hand and the dealer’s up card. Options include hitting, standing, splitting pairs, doubling down, surrendering, or placing side bets like Match the Dealer. The dealer reveals their hole card and must hit on soft 17, depending on house rules. After all player actions, the dealer completes their hand and pays winning bets.
GENERAL RULES OF PLAY
Players must not touch their cards with both hands, and all betting is done before the deal. The dealer must follow set rules, typically hitting on soft 17. Players can choose to hit, stand, split, double down, or surrender. All actions are taken in turn, and the dealer reveals their hole card only after all players have completed their turns.
GAME RULES
Spanish 21 introduces several unique rules compared to traditional blackjack:
- No 10s in the deck – only 48 cards (Aces through 9s, and face cards).
- Dealer hits on soft 17 (common rule).
- Late surrender is allowed.
- Resplitting is permitted up to four times.
- Players may double down on any number of cards.
- Blackjack pays 3:2 (same as standard).
HIT, STAND, SPLIT
Players may hit to receive additional cards or stand to keep their current hand. Splitting is allowed when a player is dealt two cards of the same rank. Players may split up to four times, resulting in five hands maximum. After splitting, each hand is played independently. Splitting Aces is allowed, but only one card is dealt to each Ace, and no further action is permitted.
LATE SURRENDER RULE
Players may surrender their hand after seeing the dealer’s up card, forfeiting half their bet. This option is only available before the dealer checks for blackjack. Late surrender is a significant player advantage, especially when the dealer shows a strong card like a 10 or Ace.
RE-SPLITTING RULE
Players may re-split pairs (including Aces) up to four times, creating up to five hands. This rule allows players to maximize value when holding strong starting pairs like Aces or 8s.
MATCH THE DEALER RULE (SIDE BET)
This side bet allows players to wager that their initial two cards will match the dealer’s up card in rank. Payouts vary based on the match:
| Match Type | Payout |
|---|---|
| Match in rank only | 6:1 |
| Match in rank and suit | 10:1 |
| Pair of Aces | 15:1 |
| Pair of face cards | 15:1 |
SUPER BONUS RULE
Players receive a bonus payout for specific hands, such as a 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 in mixed suits. These bonuses are paid regardless of the dealer’s hand:
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| 6-7-8 (mixed suits) | 3:1 |
| 7-7-7 (mixed suits) | 3:1 |
| 6-7-8 (same suit) | 5:1 |
| 7-7-7 (same suit) | 5:1 |
| Perfect Charlie (any 7 cards totaling 21 or less) | 20:1 |
STRATEGIES
BASIC STRATEGY – DEALER HITS ON SOFT 17
When the dealer hits on soft 17, the optimal strategy changes slightly. Key decisions include:
- Always stand on hard 17 or higher.
- Double down on 10 or 11 against any dealer card.
- Split Aces and 8s in all cases.
- Surrender on 15 vs. dealer 10 or 16 vs. dealer 9, 10, or Ace.
- Hit soft 17 or lower, especially with a low dealer up card.
BASIC STRATEGY – DEALER STANDS ON SOFT 17
When the dealer stands on soft 17, the player should:
- Stand on soft 18 or higher.
- Double down on 11 vs. dealer 10.
- Hit soft 17 when the dealer shows a 6 or lower.
- Resplit Aces and 8s more aggressively.
BASIC STRATEGY – DEALER HITS ON SOFT 17, PLAYER HAS NOT DOUBLED
Players should be more cautious with doubling down in this scenario. Avoid doubling on 11 vs. Ace and 10 vs. Ace. Favor hitting on soft 18 when the dealer shows a high card.
BONUS PAYOUT HANDS
Spanish 21 offers several bonus payouts for specific combinations:
- 6-7-8 (mixed): 3:1
- 7-7-7 (mixed): 3:1
- 6-7-8 (same suit): 5:1
- 7-7-7 (same suit): 5:1
- Perfect Charlie (7 cards under 21): 20:1
PERFECT CHARLIE
The Perfect Charlie is a rare and highly rewarding hand. It occurs when a player reaches 21 or less with seven or more cards, regardless of suit. This hand pays 20:1 and is one of the most lucrative bonuses in the game.
CLOSING
Spanish 21 offers a dynamic and rewarding experience for adult players seeking more strategic depth than traditional blackjack. With unique rules like resplitting, late surrender, and multiple bonus payouts, it provides enhanced player advantages despite the absence of 10s. Mastering the basic strategy and understanding the payout structure can significantly improve a player’s long-term outcomes.