Spanish Blackjack, also known as Spanish 21, is a unique online blackjack variation played with eight decks of cards. But these are not ordinary decks of blackjack cards; they are Spanish decks, from which all the 10s have been removed, leaving eight 48-card decks. You might think the absence of 10s puts you at a disadvantage, but don't worry. Spanish Blackjack has special player-beneficial rules and bonuses that more than make up for any disadvantage.

It is true that the absence of 10s in the Spanish Blackjack decks works to your disadvantage. After all, it is 10s, along with the face cards, that the strategic blackjack player counts on to force the dealer to bust. But there are other Spanish Blackjack rules that overcome the disadvantage and actually help the Spanish Blackjack player win at blackjack.

Tied blackjack: A player's blackjack beats a dealer's blackjack. In most blackjack games, this would count as a push.

Tied 21: A player's 21 beats a dealer's 21. This, too, would count as a push in most blackjack games.

Multi-card double down: The standard rules of blackjack allow you to double down only on your first two cards. In Spanish Blackjack, you may double down on any number of cards. You may also double down after splitting.

Double double down: The Spanish Blackjack rules allow you to double down twice per hand. In other words, you can double down and receive one card, and then double your bet again and receive one more card.

Double down surrender: After you have doubled your bet and received one card, you might find that the result is not as good as you hoped it would be. With double down surrender, you can surrender the hand and lose only your original bet, rather than risk losing your doubled bet.

Split Aces: You may hit or double down after splitting aces.

In addition to the special blackjack rules designed to assist you, the player, Spanish Blackjack also provides bonus payouts for certain hands.

Five-card 21 pays 3 to 2.
Six-card 21 pays 2 to 1.
Seven-or-more-card 21 pays 3 to 1.

6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of mixed suits pays 3 to 2.
6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of the same suit pays 2 to 1.
6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of spades pays 3 to 1.

7-7-7 of the same suit when the dealer has a 7 face up pays 50 to 1.

When you look at the Spanish Blackjack bonuses, don't forget that a game of Spanish Blackjack is played with eight decks of cards. That's what makes it possible to get three 7s of the same suit.

The removal of the 10-cards from the Spanish Blackjack deck reduces the probability of busting for both you and the dealer. This is an important factor to take into account in devising your Spanish Blackjack strategy. For example, if you have 13 and the dealer is showing a 5, standard blackjack strategy is to stand, both to avoid the risk of your busting and to take advantage of the likelihood of the dealer busting. But if you are playing Spanish Blackjack, both your risk and the dealer's likelihood are reduced, so the blackjack probability experts advise hitting in that situation.

Your Spanish Blackjack strategy should also focus on trying to win one of the special Spanish Blackjack bonuses. For example, standard blackjack strategy is to always stand when you have 17. But suppose you are playing Spanish Blackjack, and you are holding six cards that add up to 17. The best blackjack strategy in that situation would be to hit: an ace, 2, or 3 will improve your hand, and a 4 will win you a 3-to-1 bonus payout for a seven-card 21. The possibility of winning the bonus outweighs the risk of busting in that situation.

The blackjack basic strategy chart is based on the science of probability. Since the removal of the 10s from the Spanish Blackjack decks affects the blackjack probabilities, a regular blackjack basic strategy table will not be very helpful to someone playing Spanish Blackjack. Fortunately, there are customized Spanish Blackjack strategy charts available. Using a strategy chart is key if you are serious about wanting to win at blackjack.

The Spanish Blackjack strategy chart is a bit more complicated than a standard basic blackjack strategy chart. It takes into account not only your hand total and the dealer's up card, as a standard blackjack basic strategy chart does, but also the number of cards in your hand. Since you are aiming for a Spanish Blackjack bonus, your 6-card blackjack strategy is different from your 2-card blackjack strategy.

The Spanish Blackjack strategy table also has a special section for what to do after doubling down. Remember, in a regular game of blackjack, when you double down you receive one card and you're finished; there are no more decisions to make. But in Spanish Blackjack, after you double down, you can double down again. You can also surrender. And, of course, you can stand. The Spanish Blackjack strategy chart will help guide you through these decisions.

Spanish Blackjack is a unique online blackjack game. The cards are different, the payouts are different, and the strategy is different. So trying playing Spanish Blackjack online for a change. The probabilities are high that you will enjoy it.

Hasta la vista, baby, and have fun playing Spanish Blackjack online.