Spanish 21 Odds?

I've been trying to learn all I can about blackjack, following a recent spring-break trip to Atlantic City. I've read several lists of games to prefer, or avoid but seen no mention of "Spanish 21".

When I was in A.C. i saw "Spanish 21" in every casino. It's blackjack with lots and lots of twists. I think the number-10 cards are removed, but there is surrender, "match-dealer-card" bets, and maybe insurance. Also some interesting pay-off tables.

I'm sure it would need it's own B.S. tables, but it might just be a bad deal all around.

Has anyone heard of this game - and whats the general consensus on it?
And also whats the consensus on "Match-dealer-card" bets? should it be played similar to insurance or not at all? (or always?)

Thanks
Raven

slightly worse than a regular shoe game...provided you play perfect Spanish 21 basic strategy.

I have no idea what "Match Dealer Card" bet is...if it's a sidebet, it's probably got a huge house edge most of the time. (or all of the time).

four tens per deck, which carries a -.5% * 4 or -2.0% penalty to a basic strategy player, while other favorable rules particular to Spanish 21 do not offset that penalty.

If you get a copy of CBJN and read the backpage, there is a warning not to play this game along with SuperFun21, 6:5 blackjack and fake double deck games.

Spanish 21 & SuperFun21 can be beaten it seems, (hell even 6:5 if you can spread enough) but only with a much larger taking of risk and specialized strategy. Thus, conventional wisdom is to avoid Spanish 21 & the other games mentioned.

Thanks, thats mostly what i figured but I wanted to make sure.

Where do I find a copy of the CBJN? Is it separate from the "Blackjack Info Newsletter"?

The "match dealer card" is indeed a side-bet. If the rank of the dealers up-card matches either of your hole cards you win. Think it pays 2-1 but not positive.

Thanks again all,
RavenSlay3r

and roughly 0.7% for S17 rules.

ravenslay3r,

The link below is to the Wizard of Odds Spanish 21 website, on which he lists his BS for three different game configurations.

He lists the house edge as follows:

Dealer stands on soft 17: 0.40%
Dealer hits on soft 17, redoubling allowed: 0.38%
Dealer hits on soft 17, redoubling not allowed: 0.76%

However, if the player is not allowed to draw to split aces, the house edge increases another 0.29%

Farther down the page, he discusses the Match the Dealer side bet, which he claims has a house edge of roughly 3%.

Hope this helps!

Dog Hand