Fun and Money at casino

A child of the computer age, Spanish 21 is a mathematically-derived variation of blackjack. The term “Spanish” refers to the 48-card deck used in some Spanish card games. It is a regular 52-card deck with the four tens removed. Although, in most respects, Spanish 21 is played just like standard blackjack, the basic strategy is somewhat different.

As a uniquely-designed modification of blackjack, Spanish 21 has liberalized rules and numerous bonuses. The casinos can be so generous because removal of the four tens from the deck gives the house a large advantage. The changes in rules and payouts were designed to attract jaded blackjack casino players and have made the game popular. The modified rules have considerable appeal. For instance, in standard blackjack, it is always exhilarating to hit a count of 21 on the nose, but it quickly turns into a disappointment if the dealer also hits 21 (resulting in a push instead of a win). In Spanish 21, if both dealer and player have 21, the player wins!

In addition, bonuses are paid for getting 21 with five cards, six cards, and seven cards, and for getting certain three card combinations such as 6 7 8 and 7 7 7. Then there is the super bonus: If you get a suited 7 7 7 and the dealer’s upcard is a 7, a bonus is paid to all the players at the table. It’s no wonder that many blackjack players are migrating to Spanish 21.

Spanish 21 is played on a regular blackjack table. Except for the liberal payoffs, the game appears to be almost identical to standard blackjack, which is what fools some experienced blackjack players. Many of them don’t realize that the basic strategy for standard blackjack does not work very well, and that the house edge is higher. To keep from losing your shirt, you have to learn a modified strategy.

Like regular blackjack, the game is easy to learn and play. You are dealt two cards and then take additional cards (hits) one-by-one, trying to get as close to a total count of 21 without going over. When all the players are through taking hits, the dealer does the same by following a fixed set of house rules. If you beat the dealer, you win even odds, and if the dealer beats you, you lose your bet. If your hand has the same numerical count as the dealer (except for a count of 21) it is a tie (called a push), and no money changes hands.