How to play the casino gameSpanish 21: It uses six or eight Spanish decks, each deck consisting of 48 cards -- the regular 52 cards less the four tens. Any card counter can tell you that removing any 10-point card from the cards moves the odds in favor of the dealer. To make up for this Spanish 21 gives to the rules. The rules are based on liberal 6-8 deck blackjack rules, including double after split, late surrender, and resplitting aces. In addition Spanish 21 offers the follows rule enhancements:
A player 21 always wins. Player blackjack beats dealer blackjack. Player may double on any number of cards. Player may usually hit and double down after splitting aces (some casinos no longer allow this). player forfeits an amount equal to his original bet. A five-card 21 pays 3 to 2, a six-card 21 pays 2 to 1, a seven or more card 21 pays 3 to 1. However, the bonuses are not paid if the player doubled. A 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of mixed suits pays 3 to 2, of the same suit pays 2 to 1, and of spades pays 3 to 1. These bonuses do not pay after doubling. Suited 7-7-7 when the dealer has a seven face up pays $1000 for bets of $5-$24 and $5000 for bets of $25 or over. In addition, all other players receive a $50 "envy bonus." This bonus does not pay after doubling or splitting.
Dealer may hit or stand on a soft 17. Usually 6 or 8 Spanish decks are used. Some casinos allow redoubling, up to three times. Some casinos allow late surrender on the initial two cards.