Gambling Strategy Guide

Spanish 21 Strategy

Spanish 21 is a variation of blackjack that is, according to most table game aficionados, a better bet for blackjack players. In most Spanish 21 games, dealer stands on a soft 17 and redoubling is allowed. That is why it is considered a better bet. However, that statement depends on the specific house rules.

Spanish 21 uses 6 or 8 Spanish decks, each consisting of 48 cards (a standard 52 card deck without the four tens). While removing any 10 card from a deck gives a dealer the edge over the seasoned counter, Spanish 21 makes up for the handicap with liberal 6 to 8 deck blackjack rules, including double after split, late surrender, and re-splitting aces.

Strategies for Hard Totals

Always stand with totals of 18 or more and hit with totals of 8 or less. Otherwise use the following strategy when playing Spanish 21:      

-                          Hard 9: Double down on a two-card 9 if the dealer's face-up card is a 6, hit against all other up cards and hit against 6 if the 9 consists of three cards.

-                          Hard 10: Double down if the dealer shows a 2 through a 7. Hit against an 8 or higher.

-                          Hard 11: Double down if the dealer shows a 2 through an 8. Hit against a 9 or higher.

-                          Always hit on a hard 12.

-                          Hard 13: Hit if the dealer shows 2, 3, 4, 7 or higher. Stand against 5 or 6, except when the 13 consists of five cards or more.

-                          Hard 14: Hit against 2, 3, 7 or higher. Also hit against a 4 if the hard 14 consists of four cards or more and against a 5 or 6 with five cards or more.

-                          Hard 15: Hit against a 7 or higher and against a 2 if the 15 consists of four cards or more. Hit against a 3 or a 4 with five cards or more and against a 5 or a 6 with six cards.

-                          Hard 16: Surrender if the dealer shows an Ace. Otherwise, hit against a 7 or higher and against a 2 if the 16 consists of five cards or more. Also hit against a 3 or a 4 with six cards.

-                          Hard 17: Surrender against an Ace. Otherwise, stand unless the dealer shows an 8, 9 or 10 and the 17 consists of six cards. In that case, hit.

Strategies for Soft Totals

Always stand on soft 19, 20 or 21. Otherwise use the following strategy when playing Spanish 21:        

-                          Soft 13, 14 and 15: Always hit.

-                          Soft 16: Double down if the dealer shows a 6, except hit if the 16 consists of four or more cards. Hit against other up cards.

-                          Soft 17: Hit against 2, 3 and 7 or higher. Double down against a 4 if the 17 consists of two cards, against a 5 if the 17 consists of two or three cards and against a 6 of the 17 consists of two, three or four cards.

-                          Soft 18: Hit if the dealer shows a 9, 10 or A. Stand against 2, 3, 7 or 8, except hit against 2, 3 or 8 if the 17 consists of four or more cards and against 7 with six or more cards. Double down against 4, 5 or 6, except just hit against 4 with four or more cards and against 5 or 6 with five or more cards.

Strategies for Splitting

Always split Aces, and never split 4s, 5s or 10-value cards. Otherwise, use the following strategy for playing Spanish 21: 

-                          Pair of 2s or 3s: Split if the dealer's up card is a 3 through a 7.

-                          Pair of 6s: Split if the dealer shows a 4, 5 or 6.

-                          Pair of 7s: Split against a 2 through a 7.

-                          Pair of 8s: Surrender if the dealer shows an A. Split against all other dealer up cards.