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"Spanish 21 is a variant of traditional blackjack. If the casino rules dictate that the dealer stands on soft 17 or allow for double downs after splits, Spanish 21 can be even more favorable than regular blackjack. If you're looking for a different take on 21 or a game with a lower house edge, Spanish 21 is worth considering. The game uses 6 to 8 decks of cards, but each deck has only 48 cards, excluding the 10s. Removing a 10-point card naturally favors the house, so the casino introduces a set of player-friendly rules to compensate. Examples include doubling down after splits, surrendering after hitting, and hitting after splitting a pair of Aces.
Here are some enhanced rules of Spanish 21:
- Player's 21 always wins, even if the dealer also has 21.
- Player's natural 21 can also beat the dealer's natural 21.
- Players can double down on any two cards.
- Players usually have the option to hit and double down after splitting a pair of Aces (though some casinos may restrict this).
- Players can surrender after doubling down to reduce losses by half (known as double rescue).
- Payouts for a 21 made with five cards or more, 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of different suits, or a same-suited 7-7-7 are increased.
- A suited 7-7-7 against a dealer's upcard of 7 can win $1000 for bets of $5-$24, or $5000 for bets of $25 and above. Other players at the table may receive a $50 Envy Bonus, but this doesn't apply to split hands.
Points to note:
1. Dealers typically hit on soft 17.
2. Additional bonuses for all 21s after doubling are usually invalid.
3. Usually played with 6-8 decks without 10-point cards.
4. Some casinos allow repeated doubling up to 3 times." |
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