Is Spanish 21 Similar to Online Blackjack?

Blackjack is a staple at an online casino for South Africa such as Springbok, and it is typically available in a range of variants.  One such variation is Spanish 21.  It’s a cracker of a game but you’ll have a hard time finding anywhere, including Springbok Casino.  Nonetheless, here’s a quick overview of the game… and how Spanish 21 differs from blackjack.

1 Game, 9 Payouts and THE Online Casino of South Africa

Your objective in Spanish 21 is the same as all online blackjack games.  That of course is to accumulate a hand higher in value than that of the dealer without going over 21.  When you are dealt an ace and ten value card, you have what is called a natural blackjack.

When that happens, you are in the pound seats.  Rather than getting even money – as you would for beating the dealer – you are paid out at odds of 3:2.  That is the sum total of what you can win when playing conventional blackjack at the #1 online casino South Africa.

Switch across to Spanish 21 and the sky is the limit.  Rather than two ways to win, Spanish 21 has a whopping nine different payouts.  What is more, the rules governing gameplay are by and large more player friendly.

If that sounds too good to be true, it is.  That is because there is one key modification that can scupper your chances of hitting a blackjack.  Just this one adjustment to the virtual hardware has consequences – it raises the house edge.

In the normal course of events, a heightened edge would be bad news for gamers.  In Spanish 21, the favourable game rules offset the impact of this mystery modification.  What you are left with is an advantage to the house that is lower than the traditional game.

A Unique Deck of Cards

What is this mystery modification, unique to Spanish 21?  The casino game uses the so-called Spanish deck of cards.  In reality, the Spanish deck is a standard 52-card deck.  The only difference is the 10 value cards have been removed – but the face cards remain.

How does that affect your overall win rate?  Well, we know that the 10 value cards are one of two components that create a natural blackjack.  The other is the ace.  Under normal circumstances, this would have a dire impact on your winning odds.

With 20 percent of the viable cards stripped out of the pack, the probability of hitting a natural blackjack is significantly curtailed.  There is a big ‘but’…  To compensate, the developers of Spanish 21 introduced a slew of rules that are guaranteed to put a smile on the face.

Spanish 21 Player Friendly Rules

What are these player-centric rules which are exclusive to Spanish 21?  First off, all player blackjacks pay out at odds of 3:2.  That rule applies across the board, even when the dealer has blackjack.  Yep – you still win, even if the dealer wins too.

That is contrary to what happens in the standard blackjack games featured at any online casino South Africa.  When both the dealer and player have a two-card blackjack, the round is considered a tie.  Your bet is a ‘push’, which means it is returned to you.

Secondly, in Spanish 21 players have the option of late surrender.  In other words, you can fold when you have a weak hand and forfeit half your bet.  That is a much better option than being forced to play the round and lose your entire wager.  If you foresee a poor outcome and the cards aren’t in your favour, late surrender is a fantastic option.

The blackjack games featured at Springbok Casino – the best online casino South Africa according to player ratings – do not have surrender as an option.  As with Spanish 21, the option is rare.  Instead, hands have to be seen through to the end, which is pretty much standard fare.

Lastly, in Spanish 21 you can double down after any number of cards.  In standard blackjack, doubling down is only permitted on the first two cards you are dealt.  The extended double feature in the Spanish variant opens up a world of opportunity.  That is especially true considering you can double the wager after splitting a pair.

Just think of the potential a pair of aces presents in Spanish 21.  When you split, you have the freedom to double the bet on both hands… and as often as you want!  That is something unheard of when you play blackjack at the online casino South Africa!

Why Play Blackjack the Spanish Way… Olé

As for the extra ways to win, they are a gamechanger.  Along with the standard 1:1 and 3:2 payouts for a winning hand and natural blackjack respectively, you can bank bonus payouts for hitting the following combinations:

• Five card 21 - 3:2
• Six card 21 – 2:1
• Seven card 21 – 3:1
• 6-7-8 unsuited – 3:2
• 6-7-8 suited – 2:1
• 6-7-8 of spades – 3:1
• 7-7-7 unsuited – 3:2
• 7-7-7 suited – 2:1
• 7-7-7 of spades – 3:1

At some gaming establishments, there is even a jackpot in the mix.  It is awarded when you hold 7-7-7 and the dealer’s up card is also 7.  The prize is determined by the value of your bet.  When you wager $25 or less, you win $1k.  Increase the bet to $26 and above… and you are in line for a $5,000 jackpot!

When it comes to the house edge of the respective games, Spanish 21 takes the top spot.  The long-term advantage to the house is 0.4% compared to the 0.63% of standard online blackjack.

Find Multiple Blackjack Games at Springbok Online Casino South Africa

With so many positives, the Spanish version of the game sounds ideal.  The only drawback is the variant’s availability – or the lack thereof.  You’d be hard-pressed to find Spanish 21 at the leading B&M gaming establishments in Las Vegas and it’s rarely, if ever, featured online.  It’s almost like the Running of the Bulls on Long Street, Cape Town – not happening!

That’s the bad news.  The good news is patrons at the download Springbok Casino have access to the full quota of Spinlogic online blackjack games.  Besides our standard Blackjack, you can play Face Up 21, Match Play 21, Perfect Pairs Blackjack, Super 21, Suit Em Up Blackjack and Pontoon.

At our instant play and mobile platforms, you will find a slimmed down player pack.  It consists of three popular online blackjack games.  They are conventional Blackjack, Suit Em Up Blackjack and Blackjack and Perfect Pairs.  Our online casino for South Africa might not offer Spanish 21, but we do make up for it with game variety… and plenty of promotions to boost your bankroll!