Spanish 21 is a blackjack variation, one that is very popular with experienced blackjack players who are comfortable with the basic strategy. In the Pacific it is sometimes called “Pontoon,” but it is the same game.

The “Spanish” part comes in because a “Spanish” deck has only 48 cards. All four tens have been removed. So Spanish 21 is essentially blackjack played without the tens.

From blackjack basic strategy it should be obvious that this modification strongly favors the dealer, as it enriches the concentration of low cards in the deck by reducing the number of high cards that could be drawn. This causes the dealer to bust less often when hitting up to 17.

The reason Spanish 21 is popular amongst experienced blackjack players is that there is a compensation for making the deck more favorable to the dealer. The game rules are more favorable to the player, and many believe the trade-off is more than fair.

Six or eight Spanish decks are used. Players are allowed to double after splitting, take advantage of “late surrender,” and re-split aces – all rules associated with a liberal approach to blackjack. Casinos may specify “Dealer Stands on Soft 17” or not. Casinos may limit the number of times a person can redouble in a splitting situation or when late surrender can be declared, even though the “standard” Spanish 21 rule is quite liberal on both counts. Additionally, in Spanish 21: