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Comparing Spanish 21 vs. Blackjack – Which Game Should You Play?

Last Updated September 27, 2022 12:25 pm PDT
Spanish 21 vs. Blackjack

While it would be a stretch to say there is a Spanish 21 vs. blackjack debate, there are some who feel strongly about which is the better game.

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games of all time. That will not change soon, regardless of any other game that tries to knock it off its mantle. Spanish 21 is nowhere near as well-known as its cultish cousin. But as a game, it is enjoyable and probably more interesting.

With that in mind, why not have a Spanish 21 and blackjack comparison? There is scope to debate which of the two you should look for when you hit up the top online casinos. By the time we’re done, you’ll have a better sense of what makes both games special.

Furthermore, I’ll be looking at the odds for both and sharing expert strategy tips to help improve your chances of winning money when playing them. Before that, let’s look at where you can play blackjack and Spanish 21 online. 

Where to Play Spanish 21 and Blackjack

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You won’t find top casinos picking sides in any Spanish 21 vs. blackjack war anyone attempts to start.

The best online casinos don’t judge. Why would they? The whole point of being a good host is to provide players with a chance to make up their minds in a safe, secure, and inclusive environment. Blackjack vs. Spanish 21 radicals, please take note.

You will be provided with a chance to play both games at our recommended online casinos.

The sites we stand by are trustworthy, transparent, and legal. Three things that do matter more than you think.

Furthermore, these sites come with comprehensive libraries of games, meaning you could potentially find several different blackjack variants. Probably not as many Spanish 21 titles, however. And I’ll explain why that is as we go along.

When you sign up for one or more of our top sites, you can avail yourself of welcome bonuses and other offers. You will have access to multiple payment methods, fast payouts, and some of the best online customer support.

Just remember to leave the Blackjack vs. Spanish 21 debate at the door.

Which Game is Harder to Learn and Master?

Introducing Exhibit A into the case of Spanish 21 vs. blackjack… Familiarity. 

Most games are easy to play and, therefore, to master when you know the rules. Most casino patrons who have played any blackjack variant will have no trouble breaking the rules. But objectively, there is less going on in blackjack.

One of the important factors to consider when engaging in a Spanish 21 and blackjack comparison is the cards you play with. Or, to be more precise, the lack of 10s in the pack.

Like blackjack, the object of the game is to get as close to 21 without busting. In Spanish 21, the game is played with six decks to a shoe, with players initially receiving two cards. An individual will then opt to receive more cards until they “stand.” The player or dealer with the hand closest to 21 wins, with payouts at 1:1.

It’s not too different from blackjack, as you can see. But other variations have some questioning, “Is blackjack better than Spanish 21?”

  • A 21 push between player and dealer is a win for the player
  • Mutual blackjack also counts as a player win
  • You can surrender in Spanish 21
  • Surrendering returns half your bet
  • Players can double down after splitting
  • Re-splitting is permitted in certain circumstances

In blackjack, you won’t have anywhere near the same options.

But don’t get too carried away. Remember, the lack of 10s means it is generally tougher to hit blackjack in this game. That said, it’s undoubtedly a more interesting game to play.

As for which is easier to master, it must be blackjack, as there aren’t as many variations as possible to how you can play or win. There’s a reason why it makes the cut for easiest casino games for beginners to master, after all.

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Does Blackjack Have Better Odds and House Edge?

When I think of the Spanish 21 vs. blackjack comparisons that matter, the house edge is up there with the most crucial.

It’s no secret that blackjack is one of the casino games with the best house edges. But only if a player understands what they are doing. For instance, the typical house edge in blackjack for inexperienced players is circa 2 percent. Some slots out there have better odds, believe it or not.


Related: The House Edge in Blackjack

When comparing blackjack and Spanish 21, the house edge does matter.

Experienced blackjack players can reduce the margin to 0.5 percent in some cases, per our blackjack guide. Naturally, this makes it favorable to players looking to limit the chances of big losses in the long run.

Yet, head to any casino on a weekend and see inexperienced players at the tables. And that’s good business for the house.

The best blackjack odds plateau at 42.22%, which indicates that the house wins 57.78% of games in the long run. Of course, that’s not true, as there is also a push to factor in. With just under 8.5% of games resulting in a push, the probability of losing comes at around 49.10%.

If you want to play blackjack and win, you need to understand strategy. The best way of doing this is to read the following guide.

Blackjack Strategy

Does Spanish 21 Require More Strategy?

When you factor in the differences when comparing Spanish 21 vs. blackjack permutations, the simple answer is yes. 

In blackjack, the payout is always 1:1 unless you hit a natural. Most latter advocates cite the higher payouts for that game when putting blackjack vs. Spanish 21 to the grind. Let’s look. 

  • 21 with a 5-card hand pays 3:2
  • 21 with a 6-card hand pays 2:1
  • 21 with a 7-card hand pays 3:1
  • 21 with 6, 7, 8 pays: 3:2
  • 21 with 7, 7, 7 pays 3:2
  • 6, 7, 8 suited pays 2:1
  • 7, 7, 7 pays 21
  • 6, 7, 8 spades pay 3:1
  • 7, 7, 7 spades pay 3:1
  • Some tables with bonuses can pay out up to $1000 for a particular hand

It’s easy for those comparing blackjack and Spanish 21 with an agenda to stop here. 

Bigger payouts mean that you should thoroughly scrub blackjack off the face of the earth, right? Not so fast. The Spanish 21 vs. blackjack house edge has not yet entered the chat.

So, what about the house edge? Any Spanish 21 guide worth its salt will implore you to consider learning every single facet of the game before you run away with yourself. If not, you could give up as much as 8% of the house in certain circumstances.

In short, the chance of winning big is far greater than in blackjack. Unless you’re a part of the infamous MIT Blackjack Team. Of course, I’m joking. At the end of the day, card counting is something you can do in both games, but it will not be as easy in Spanish 21.

Would you be surprised to learn that you can bring the house edge in Spanish 21 down to 0.4 percent? With perfect strategy, of course. Even a basic strategy — similar to blackjack in choosing when to stick and when to hit — can help immensely. So, remember to have a strategy chart when you play Spanish 21 online.

However, if you want to minimize your chances of losing, read our Spanish 21 strategy guide. It’s packed with helpful tips that will aid your success.

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Should Gamblers Play Spanish 21 or Blackjack?

You can play both. Or you can adopt a partisan attitude and choose one of the games above to run with.

When you arrived on this page, you might have expected me to be a little more assertive in my allegiances. The question you want me to answer is simple: “Is Spanish 21 better than blackjack?” My answer is… yes. Absolutely.

A comparison of the Spanish 21 odds vs. blackjack odds speaks volumes. This is an excellent game that I would recommend any casino fan to play if you can find it, of course.

I’m not saying that the lack of Spanish 21 online is a conspiracy. Casinos aren’t too keen on offering games with low house edges and high payouts. Then again, it’s not as popular as blackjack.

I recommend finding a top site that cares about catering to players’ interests. There, you have a better chance of finding at least one Spanish 21 game if you are looking to gamble for real money online!

Photo of Adam Haynes
Adam
Haynes
Content Editor
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Adam is a sports tipster and casino writer who is always looking for ways to beat the house. His favorite sports are boxing and MMA, but he's also a huge rugby fan.

Although his casino game of choice is blackjack, Adam is also partial to the odd game of baccarat. 

When he's not at his desk, you can find Adam watching sports or perfecting his poker face.

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