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Best Tips and Tricks On Card Counting Efficiency in Spanish 21

Card couning in blackjack Spanish 21

What Is Spanish Blackjack?

We would like to remind you that Spanish 21 is a variant of blackjack that is quite popular in certain countries. Sometimes it is called Spanish Blackjack.

The main feature of this game is that it is played with Spanish decks consisting of forty-eight cards (without four tens).

Since the absence of tens significantly increases the house edge, additional bonus payouts are provided for 777, 678, and other combinations. The rules are also more advantageous for players.

Card Counting in Spanish 21

It makes Spanish 21 more profitable for casino visitors than most other blackjack variations. However, how may such rules affect card counting? Does it make sense for counters to sit at the Spanish 21 table? Or is it better to play more traditional versions of blackjack?

Bonus payouts for hands of sixes, sevens, and eights significantly increase the value of these cards in Spanish 21 compared to classic blackjack.

On the other hand, it does not have valuable tens. It may seem that such redistribution makes card counting inefficient or even useless. Yet, such changes even contribute to card counting. For the reasons discussed below, Spanish 21 is more profitable for card counters than traditional blackjack.

  • An ace seems to be the most beneficial card. Since there are no tens, it appears more often than in traditional blackjack (1/12 compared with 1/13).
  • In Spanish 21, it is allowed to re-split aces and hit more than one card after splitting aces, making an ace even more favorable for players.
  • Blackjack is paid 3:2 even if the dealer also has blackjack (due to higher values of aces).
  • Card counters make doubles more often than the basic strategy recommends if the score reaches high levels. Since in Spanish 21, it is allowed to double on any number of cards and points, it is very profitable for players to count cards under favorable circumstances.
  • In both versions of blackjack, players often receive two-card hands that, after hitting, may form twenty-one. The basic strategy recommends standing on a 13-17 against a dealer's 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, and on a 12 if the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6. When the score increases, the player has virtually no choice for their further action. Examining the Spanish 21 optimal strategy reveals a higher number of options available in this game. This fact is favorable to counters.
  • Many casinos don't treat Spanish 21 as a game suitable for card counting, so gamblers may efficiently operate with bets without being afraid that these establishments may suspect them of card counting. In other words, there is no need to hide their activities, which is obligatory for counters in traditional blackjack.

You can play the following blackjack games for free on Casinoz.

Where to Play Spanish 21?

Many Casinoz readers may struggle to find this gambling game in real casinos. Still, it is widely available in many online casinos, as several well-known software manufacturers have released online versions.

Just remember that card counting in online blackjack is almost always meaningless!

Conclusion

As you can see, Spanish 21 provides card counters with a much broader opportunity to test their skills and increases their chances of winning. Additionally, this game does not exclude the use of alternative skills, such as shuffle tracking and sequencing.

Frequently asked Questions

✅ Why is card counting in Spanish 21 different from traditional blackjack?

Card counting in Spanish 21 is more complex due to a key difference in the deck. Spanish 21 is played with decks that have all the 10-value cards removed, which includes the four 10s but not the Jacks, Queens, or Kings. This fundamental change in card composition alters the probabilities, making traditional counting systems, such as the Hi-Lo count, less effective. Players must adjust their strategies to account for the absence of these cards, as they significantly impact the true count and the player's advantage.

💹 Does Spanish 21's card counting strategy give the player a strong advantage?

The player's edge when using a card counting strategy in Spanish 21 is generally not as significant as it can be in traditional blackjack. The removal of the 10-value cards and the inclusion of player-friendly rules such as a player's 21 always winning and the ability to double down on any number of cards, make the game more balanced from the start. While it is possible to gain a slight advantage by tracking cards, the benefits are not as pronounced as they are in standard blackjack games.

🃏 What cards should a player pay attention to when card counting in Spanish 21?

When using a card counting strategy for Spanish 21, a player should focus on the remaining high and low cards. Since all 10s are removed, the remaining high-value cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings, and Aces) become more important. The goal is to track the ratio of these high cards to the lower cards (2 through 9). A higher concentration of high cards remaining in the deck is generally more favorable to the player, while a higher concentration of low cards is better for the house.

🔥 Can the special bonus payouts affect a player's card counting strategy in Spanish 21?

Yes, the bonus payouts in Spanish 21, which are awarded for specific hands like a five-card 21 or a 6-7-8, can influence a player's approach to card counting. These bonuses may make certain hands more valuable and can be a factor in determining when to increase or decrease a bet. However, players must be mindful that some of these bonuses are void if the hand is doubled down, which adds another layer of complexity to the strategy.

Denis Anipchenko
Denis Anipchenko
Editor-in-chief and online gambling expert

Denis is a true professional with many years of experience in the gambling industry. His career started back in the late nineties when he worked as a croupier, pit boss, manager and casino manager. This unique experience allowed him to deeply understand the world of gambling from the inside. Since the late noughties Denis has dedicated himself to writing articles and analyses about gambling, and since the early tens he has become a key figure in the Casinoz team. Here he not only writes and edits content, but also creates reviews, shares his expertise and helps readers understand the intricacies of gambling. Denis combines practical experience and in-depth knowledge, making him one of the most respected experts in the industry. His writings are always up-to-date, proven and useful information for anyone interested in the casino world.

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Facts checked Alex Vasilev Scientific editor and fact checker
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