Spanish 21 is known by several other names, so keep an eye out for Pontoon, Pirate 21, and Spanish Blackjack if you want to play this game. Below we have a comprehensive guide to teach you everything you need to know about playing Spanish 21 for real money. This will include the different rules, gameplay features, strategies, and more!
Spanish 21 Basics
Spanish 21 was created back in 1995 by Masque Publishing. The company started to try and make changes to the beloved Blackjack format. The goal was to keep the essential structure of the game but make it more exciting and entertaining.
To accomplish this goal, some changes were made to the payout structure, and some cards were removed from the deck. In the case of Spanish 21, there are no 10 cards used. This created Spanish 21 as we know it today, with a house edge as low as 0.4%.
Spanish 21 Versus Blackjack
Blackjack and Spanish 21 share many of the same rules. The cards have the same values, and the goal is to get close to 21 than the dealer without going over. Exceeding 21 is still a bust and counts as an instant loss. From the dealer’s perspective, one big change includes the dealer needing to hit on a soft 17. This brings the house edge down to as low as 0.4%. Below is more detail on some of the changes between Spanish 21 and regular Blackjack.
- No 10s – In Spanish Blackjack, the game uses several decks of cards, but each deck contains 48 cards instead of 52. The game doesn’t use any 10 cards. There are still face cards with a value of 10. This change means players can hit more often, and busts should be less frequent. However, hitting Blackjack is likely to be more difficult.
- Player Blackjack Wins – On the rare occasion that both the player and dealer get Blackjack (Ace + Face Card), the player will win and receive the 3:2 payout.
- Unique Hand Payouts – In normal Blackjack, the only special payout is hitting Blackjack. However, in Spanish 21, there are bonus payouts for winning with a hand containing five, six, or seven cards. There are also bonus payouts for a winning hand made up of 6-7-8 or 7-7-7.
- Doubling Down – Spanish 21 also has unique rules when it comes to Doubling Down. Players can Double Down on a wider number of cards in their hand, as well as after splitting.
- Splitting – There are changes to the splitting rules as well. If you had a pair of cards and split, only to receive that card again, you could split again.
- Surrender – When playing traditional Blackjack, you can only surrender when you have two cards. However, Spanish 21 allows you to surrender at any time.
Payouts in Spanish 21
Spanish 21 contains several unique payout scenarios when compared to Blackjack. These will help reward the player even more for certain hands. These special payouts are part of the reason Spanish 21 has an even lower house edge than Blackjack. Below is a table of all the unique payouts to Spanish 21.
| Hand | Description | Payout |
| Blackjack | Blackjack with 2 Cards | 3:2 (Player wins Ties) |
| 5 Card 21 | 21 with Five Card Hand | 3:2 |
| 6 Card 21 | 21 with Six Card Hand | 2:1 |
| 7 Card 21 | 21 with 7 Cards | 3:1 |
| Mixed 6 7 8 | 6-7-8 Hand with mixed Suits | 3:2 |
| Suited 6 7 8 | 6-7-8 Hand with matching Suits | 2:1 |
| Spades 6 7 8 | 6-7-8 Hand All Spades | 3:1 |
| Mixed 7 7 7 | 7-7-7 Hand, mixed Suits | 3:2 |
| Suited 7 7 7 | 7-7-7 Hand, Same Suit | 2:1 |
| Spades 7 7 7 | 7-7-7 Hand, All Spades | 3:1 |
| Player Wins | Any Winning Player Hand | 1:1 |
| Tie | Any Hands that Tie | Push |
| 777/ Up 7 | Player has 7-7-7, Dealer shows 7 | $1000 – $5000 Jackpot |
How to Play Spanish 21
When it comes to playing Spanish 21, the game plays out exactly like regular Blackjack. Below is a step-by-step guide on playing Spanish 21.
- Step 1 – Decide your Bet. Before the round starts, you will need to decide how much money you want to bet. Place your bet and then click Deal.
- Step 2 – You will be dealt two cards, face up. The dealer will be dealt two cards, but only one card will be visible. Look at the total of your hand, and keep in mind what the dealer’s card is.
- Step 3 – Now, you need to decide how to proceed with the round. You can decide to hit and receive additional cards or stand if you are happy with your current total. You can also choose to Split, Double Down, or Surrender.
- Step 4 – Once the player has completed playing, the dealer will then play their round. The dealer will need to play according to the house rules, determining when they must hit and stand.
- Step 5 – Once the dealer stands, the game will determine which hand wins. If you win, your winnings will be determined by the paytable.
Best Spanish 21 Strategy
When it comes to Spanish 21 Strategy, it is a bit different to regular Blackjack. This is because there are fewer 10-value cards, making busts less frequent. Below are some strategic tips you can use to give yourself the best chance of winning.
When to Hit and Stand
The most important decision to make in Spanish 21 is when to Hit and when to Stand. We recommend you always Stand on a Hard 18 or above. It would be best if you also Stand on a Soft 19 or higher. Always Hit when you have a Hard hand of 13 or less.
Doubling Down
When it comes to Doubling Down, you should always Double Down on a Hard 11. If the dealer is showing a 4, 5, or 6, then you should Double Down when you have a Hard 9-11 or a Soft 13-18.
Splitting
It is recommended that players always split a pair of Aces. It would help if you didn’t split on a pair of 4s or 5s. When you have a pair of 2s, 3s, 7s, or 8s, you should split when the dealer’s face-up card is between 2 and 7.
Spanish 21 – The Different Names
The rights to the name Spanish 21 is held by Masque Publishing who created the game, and not all developers have licenced the name. That hasn’t stopped them from developing their own version of Spanish 21 though, so you might find the game listed under different names. If you want to play Spanish 21, start by searching for it. However, if you do not find it, be sure to also search for Pirate 21, Spanish Blackjack, and Pontoon. Pontoon is probably the most common alternate name for Spanish 21.