What’s the Difference Between Spanish 21 and Regular Blackjack?

When it comes to casino games, blackjack is undeniably one of the most popular ones. However, there are different variations of this game, and Spanish 21 is one of them.

So what exactly is the difference between Spanish 21 and regular blackjack? Let’s take a closer look.

Firstly, let’s review the basics of regular blackjack. The objective of this game is to get a hand that equals 21 or as close to it as possible without going over.

The player competes against the dealer, and each player receives two cards. The value of each card in blackjack is its number except for face cards such as kings, queens, and jacks, which have a value of ten. Aces can be worth either one or eleven.

In contrast, Spanish 21 uses a slightly different deck of cards. In addition to the standard deck used in regular blackjack, Spanish 21 includes all the tens removed from the deck. This means that there are only 48 cards instead of 52 in a deck used for Spanish 21.

One significant difference between these two games is how they handle ties with the dealer’s hand. In regular blackjack, if both the player and dealer have hands with the same total value, it results in a push (a tie), and neither party wins nor loses any money. However, in Spanish 21, there are several ways for players to win on ties with the dealer’s hand.

For example, if both you and the dealer have hands that equal twenty-one points (a natural), you will still win if your hand consists entirely of spades or if your hand has three sevens while the dealer’s total does not include any sevens at all.

Another difference between these two games is that Spanish 21 offers players more opportunities to double down on their bets. In fact, you can double down on any number of cards you want in Spanish 21 (including after splitting), whereas in regular blackjack, you can only double down on your first two cards.

Spanish 21 also allows players to surrender their hands after the dealer checks for blackjack. This means that if you think you have a losing hand, you can choose to give up your bet and lose half of your original wager instead of risking losing it all.

Finally, Spanish 21 offers several bonus payouts for specific hands. For example, if you have a hand consisting of three sevens and the dealer’s up-card is also a seven, you will receive a bonus payout. Similarly, if your hand consists entirely of six or more cards and the total value is twenty-one or less, you will receive another bonus payout.

In conclusion, while the basic rules of Spanish 21 and regular blackjack are similar, there are significant differences between these two games that players should be aware of. From the different decks used to how they handle ties and bonus payouts, each game offers its unique set of rules to master. So whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, it’s worth exploring both variants to see which one suits your preferences best.