Spanish 21 Strategy Calculator

Get optimal Spanish 21 strategy for any hand. Spanish 21 uses different rules than regular blackjack, requiring adjusted basic strategy decisions.

Formula:Optimal strategy based on EV calculations for 48-card Spanish deck

Optimal Play

Surrender

Hand

16

vs Dealer 10

Edge Impact

Reduces loss by ~2-3% compared to hitting/standing

Type of hand you're holding

Hard total

Dealer's visible card

Can you surrender in this game?

Can you double after splitting?

16 vs Dealer 10
Surrender

Surrender 16 vs 10. The expected loss from playing is worse than losing half your bet.

Spanish 21 Key Differences

  • • All four 10s removed from each deck (J, Q, K remain)
  • • Player 21 always wins, even against dealer 21
  • • Player blackjack always beats dealer blackjack
  • • Late surrender available (usually)
  • • Double down rescue (surrender after doubling)
  • • Bonus payouts for 5/6/7 card 21s and 7-7-7

Key Facts

  • •Spanish 21 uses 48-card deck (no 10s, but has J/Q/K)
  • •Player 21 always wins, even vs dealer 21
  • •Player blackjack pays 3:2 or sometimes more
  • •5-card 21 pays 3:2, 6-card pays 2:1, 7+ card pays 3:1
  • •Suited 7-7-7 with dealer 7 often has bonus ($5000+)

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Spanish 21 different from regular blackjack?

Spanish 21 removes all 10-value cards (but keeps face cards), making it harder to hit 21. To compensate, player 21 always wins (even vs dealer 21), and there are bonuses for specific hand combinations. The strategy differs significantly from regular blackjack.

What is the house edge in Spanish 21?

With optimal strategy, Spanish 21 has a house edge of about 0.4-0.8%, which is competitive with regular blackjack. Poor strategy can increase this significantly.

Should I always split 8s in Spanish 21?

Yes, always split 8s in Spanish 21. This is one of the few rules that carries over from regular blackjack. Two hands starting at 8 give better expected value than playing a hard 16.

When should I surrender in Spanish 21?

When allowed, surrender 15-16 vs dealer 9, 10, or Ace. In Spanish 21, giving up half your bet is often better than trying to improve weak hands against strong dealer cards.