Spanish Blackjack

Spanish Blackjack is the name given to a variety of blackjack which uses standard decks of playing cards but only after removing the four number 10 cards. This leaves 48 cards in each deck instead of the usual 52 with just the face cards worth 10 points.

Most places deal cards from a shuffling machine containing between four and eight decks in a game, and the following rules normally apply:

• If both the player and the dealer have 21, the player wins.

• Players may surrender if they are not happy with their first two cards and if the dealer does not have a blackjack. This results in them being repaid half of their original bet.

• Hands can be split up to three times to create a maximum of four hands.

• Players may hit and double down on any split hand.

• If a player doubles down and is not happy with his hand, he can take back the double down bet and forfeit his original bet, thereby removing himself from that round. This option is only possible if the doubled-down hand has not bust.

With four less 10-value cards in each deck than in regular blackjack, the player has less chance of winning a game of Spanish Blackjack. However, there are generally a number of bonuses offered in Spanish Blackjack which help to offset this disadvantage. The following bonuses are fairly typical, but do check with the casino you play at to find out exactly what bonuses are on offer:

• 21 in 5 cards pays 3:2
• 21 in 6 cards pays 2:1
• 21 in 7 cards or more pays 3:1
• 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of mixed suits pays 3:2
• 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of the same suits pays 2:1
• 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of spades pays 3:1

In addition to the above, a super bonus is payable if the player has suited 7-7-7 and the dealer also has any 7. Note that hands of 21 that are achieved after doubling down do not normally qualify for bonuses other than the super bonus.

Whilst Spanish Blackjack is not a game that appeals to everyone, it is certainly an interesting variation which is well worth a look the next time you happen to be visiting a casino that offers it.

Play Spanish Blackjack Here

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