What Is the Difference Between Spanish 21 and Blackjack?

Are you a fan of card games? Then you must have heard about two popular games – Spanish 21 and Blackjack.

These are both played with a deck of cards and involve the same objective, i.e., to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding 21 points. However, there are some significant differences between the two games that make them unique.

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Let’s discuss these differences in detail.

Rules and Deck Size

The most apparent difference between Spanish 21 and Blackjack is the deck size. In Blackjack, a standard deck of 52 cards is used, while Spanish 21 uses a deck of 48 cards. The four tens are removed from the deck in Spanish 21, which gives the dealer an advantage.

Moreover, in Blackjack, players can surrender their hand if they feel that they have no chance of winning against the dealer’s hand. However, in Spanish 21, surrendering is not allowed. Players have to play their hand till the very end.

Bonus Payouts

Another significant difference between these two games is that Spanish 21 offers bonus payouts for specific hands. For instance, if a player gets three sevens of different suits while playing Spanish 21, they win a payout of 3:1. Additionally, getting three sevens of the same suit results in a payout of 2:1.

In contrast, there are no bonus payouts offered in Blackjack.

Doubling Down Rules

Doubling down refers to placing an additional wager equal to your original bet on your first two cards’ total value. In Blackjack, players can double down on any hand value after receiving their first two cards. But in Spanish 21, players can only double down after splitting their hand or receiving three or more cards that add up to a total of nine, ten or eleven points.

PRO TIP:Spanish 21 is a variant of Blackjack that uses a 48-card Spanish deck (which does not include the four 10s). The main differences are that Spanish 21 allows players to double down on any number of cards, split up to four hands, and surrender after doubling down. Additionally, Spanish 21 pays out higher bonuses for certain hands, such as 6-7-8 or 7-7-7.

Moreover, players can double down multiple times while playing Blackjack but only once in Spanish 21.

Card Values

The values of cards in Spanish 21 are different from those in Blackjack. In Spanish 21, all the face cards have a value of ten, just like in Blackjack. However, an ace can have a value of either one or eleven points, depending on the player’s choice.

Furthermore, there is an additional rule called ‘Super Bonus’ that is present in Spanish 21. If a player has a hand consisting of five or more cards with a total value of 21, they win a payout of 3:1.

House Edge

House edge refers to the advantage that the casino has over players while playing any game. The house edge for Blackjack varies between 0.5% to 1%, depending on the rules and strategies used by the player. On the other hand, the house edge for Spanish 21 ranges from 0.4% to over 2%, again depending on several factors.

So which game should you choose to play – Spanish 21 or Blackjack? Well, it ultimately depends on your preferences and playing style.

If you prefer bonus payouts and unique rules, then Spanish 21 is the game for you. But if you want to stick to traditional rules with lower house edge, then Blackjack is your best bet.

In conclusion, both games have their unique features and offer different levels of excitement and challenge to players. The key is to understand the differences between these two games and choose one that suits your playing style and preferences best.