Spanish 21 Calculator: Blackjack Without the 10s

Spanish 21 removes all four 10s from the deck but adds bonus payouts and player-favorable rules. Our calculator shows the adjusted strategy that accounts for these significant changes.

What Is Spanish 21?

Spanish 21 uses a "Spanish deck"—standard 52 cards minus all four 10s (48 cards). To compensate, players get bonuses: 21 always wins, special payouts for suited/specific combinations, late surrender, and doubling any number of cards.

Quick Answer: Spanish 21 house edge is 0.40-0.76% with optimal strategy—competitive with standard blackjack. Key differences: hit more often (fewer 10s to bust you), double more liberally, surrender more hands. Player 21 always beats dealer 21. Bonus payouts for 6-7-8, 7-7-7, and 5+ card 21s add value. Different strategy charts required.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Spanish 21 Calculator →

Enter your hand and dealer upcard for Spanish 21-specific strategy.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Your Hand: Card values

2. Input Dealer Upcard: Showing card

3. View Recommendation: Hit, Stand, Double, Split, Surrender

4. Check Bonus Potential: Special payout situations

5. Compare to Blackjack: See strategy differences

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Your Hand	Cards held	10-5 (hard 15)
Dealer Upcard	Showing	10
Spanish 21 Action	Optimal play	HIT
Blackjack Action	Standard play	Surrender
Difference	Why different	No 10s = less bust risk

Key Rule Differences

Player Advantages

Rule	Benefit
Player 21 always wins	Ties go to player
Late surrender	Even after doubling
Double any cards	Not just first two
Double after split aces	Normally not allowed
Re-split aces	Can split again
6-7-8 bonus	Mixed/suited pays extra
7-7-7 bonus	Up to $5,000
5-card 21	3:2 payout
6-card 21	2:1 payout
7+ card 21	3:1 payout

Offset by Removed 10s

Deck has 48 cards instead of 52
All four 10s removed (not face cards)
Face cards (J, Q, K) remain

Impact:
- Harder to make 21
- Dealer busts less often
- Player busts more safely (fewer 10s to draw)

Strategy Differences from Blackjack

Hitting vs Standing

Situation	Blackjack	Spanish 21
Hard 15 vs 10	Surrender/Hit	HIT
Hard 16 vs 10	Surrender/Hit	HIT
Hard 12 vs 4	Stand	HIT
Hard 12 vs 5	Stand	HIT
Hard 12 vs 6	Stand	HIT

Why hit more in Spanish 21:

Fewer 10s in deck = less bust risk
Drawing 10 less likely
Can be more aggressive hitting stiff hands

Doubling Differences

Situation	Blackjack	Spanish 21
11 vs 10	Double	Double
10 vs 10	Hit	HIT
10 vs A	Hit	HIT
9 vs 3	Double	Hit
9 vs 4	Double	Hit

Why double less in Spanish 21:

Drawing 10 to make 20-21 less likely
Fewer 10s reduces double-down value
Exception: Some hands double more (can double any time)

Splitting Differences

Pair	Blackjack	Spanish 21
8-8 vs 10	Split	Split
8-8 vs A	Split	Surrender
9-9 vs 7	Stand	Split
A-A	Split	Split (can re-split)

Bonus Payouts

Multi-Card 21

Cards	Payout
5-card 21	3:2
6-card 21	2:1
7+ card 21	3:1

6-7-8 Bonus

Combination	Payout
Mixed suits	3:2
Same suit	2:1
All spades	3:1

7-7-7 Bonus

Combination	Payout
Mixed suits	3:2
Same suit	2:1
All spades	3:1
Suited + dealer 7	$1,000-$5,000*

*Super bonus varies by casino and bet size

Strategy Impact of Bonuses

Bonuses affect marginal decisions:

With 6-card 17 vs dealer 10:
Normal blackjack: Stand
Spanish 21: HIT (potential 7-card 21 bonus)

Chase multi-card bonuses when close

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Aggressive Hit

Hand: 10-5 (hard 15) Dealer: 10 Bet: $25

Blackjack strategy: Surrender (if available) or Hit Spanish 21 strategy: HIT

Why: Fewer 10s = safer to hit Outcome: Drew 4 (now 19), stood, won

Example 2: Changed Double

Hand: 6-3 (hard 9) Dealer: 4 Bet: $20

Blackjack strategy: Double Spanish 21 strategy: HIT

Why: Drawing 10 to 19 less likely with no 10s

Example 3: Bonus Chase

Hand: 5-3-2-A-A (15 in 5 cards) Dealer: 7 Bet: $50

Analysis:

• 5 cards with low total
• Hit for 6-card 21 potential
• Worth pursuing 2:1 bonus

Action: HIT (drew 6 = 21 in 6 cards!) Payout: $100 (2:1 on 6-card 21)

Example 4: 7-7-7 Situation

Hand: 7-7 Dealer: 7 Bet: $100

Considerations:

• Split normally correct for 7-7 vs 7
• BUT: 7-7-7 with dealer 7 = Super Bonus ($1,000+)
• Worth not splitting for jackpot potential

Action: HIT (hoping for 7)

House Edge Analysis

Edge by Rule Set

Variant	House Edge
S17, re-split aces, double after split	0.40%
H17, re-split aces, double after split	0.76%
S17, no re-split aces	0.54%

Why Edge Is Low

Removed 10s hurt player (~2%)
Bonus rules compensate:
- Player 21 always wins: +0.3%
- Double any time: +0.2%
- Re-split aces: +0.1%
- Late surrender: +0.1%
- Bonus payouts: +1%+

Net: 0.40-0.76% edge (comparable to blackjack)

Comparison

Game	House Edge
Spanish 21 (optimal)	0.40%
Blackjack (basic strategy)	0.50%
Standard blackjack (average rules)	0.60%
6:5 Blackjack	1.45%

Common Strategy Mistakes

1. Using Blackjack Strategy

Mistake: Playing Spanish 21 like regular blackjack Problem: Strategy is fundamentally different Fix: Learn Spanish 21-specific charts

2. Not Chasing Bonuses

Mistake: Standing on 5-card 20 Problem: Missing bonus opportunity Fix: Know when bonus chase is +EV

3. Doubling Too Much

Mistake: Doubling 10 vs 10 like in blackjack Problem: Drawing 10 is less likely Fix: Reduce doubling on marginal hands

4. Forgetting Player 21 Always Wins

Mistake: Worrying about dealer 21 tie Problem: It's impossible—you always win with 21 Fix: Understand this rule benefits player

Late Surrender Strategy

When to Surrender

Hand	Dealer	Action
Hard 16	A	Surrender (H17 only)
8-8	A	Surrender
Hard 15	A	Surrender (H17 only)

Surrender After Doubling

Unique Spanish 21 rule:
Can surrender after doubling

Example:
Double 11 vs 10
Draw 3 (now 14)
Surrender: Lose 1× bet instead of 2×

This is valuable when double goes wrong

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Spanish 21 better than blackjack?

Comparable. Spanish 21 has 0.40-0.76% edge vs ~0.50% for good blackjack. Different strategies, similar expected results.

Why remove the 10s?

Creates different game requiring new strategy. Bonus rules compensate for removed cards, making game competitive.

Do casinos prefer Spanish 21?

Some do—players who use blackjack strategy lose more. Informed players do just as well as blackjack.

What about card counting?

Possible but harder. Fewer 10s changes count values. Different indices required. Generally less profitable.

Should I always chase bonuses?

No. Bonuses affect marginal decisions, not core strategy. Don't sacrifice good EV for long-shot bonuses.

Is the super bonus worth chasing?

Rarely. The odds of 7-7-7 suited with dealer 7 are astronomical. Don't change good strategy for jackpots.

Advanced Concepts

Multi-Card Bonus EV

With 5-card 17:
Stand: EV based on dealer bust probability
Hit: EV includes 3:2 bonus for 21

Calculate breakeven point
Often worth chasing with many cards

Deck Composition Effect

48-card deck changes everything:

P(drawing 10-value) = 12/48 = 25%
Standard deck: 16/52 = 31%

6% fewer 10s affects every decision

Composition-Dependent Plays

Some hands depend on exact cards:

6-5 vs 5: Standard hit
A-5 vs 5: Different (soft hand)
3-3 vs 5: Different (split consideration)

Pro Tips

• Get Spanish 21 strategy card: Different from blackjack

• Hit more stiff hands: Fewer 10s = less bust risk

• Double less on marginal: 10-draw value reduced

• Remember: 21 always wins: Never worry about ties

• Chase bonuses thoughtfully: Only on marginal decisions

Related Calculators

• Blackjack Basic Strategy Calculator - Standard strategy
• Blackjack House Edge Calculator - Edge analysis
• Blackjack Odds Calculator - Probability
• Card Counting Calculator - Counting strategy
• Expected Value Calculator - EV analysis

Conclusion

Spanish 21 offers blackjack-competitive odds with different strategy requirements. Our calculator shows the optimal plays accounting for the missing 10s and bonus payouts. Hit more freely, double more cautiously, and understand the bonus structure—Spanish 21 rewards players who learn its unique strategy.

Calculate Spanish 21 Strategy Now →

Don't bring blackjack strategy to a Spanish 21 table. Our calculator provides game-specific recommendations that maximize your expected value with the modified deck and rule structure. Master the differences and enjoy this exciting blackjack variant.