Spanish Blackjack Online in Canada - 2026

Author: Lucas Goldberg

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If you are fond of table games with strategies and a low house edge, then the blackjack version known as Spanish Blackjack is certainly one to try out. In this guide, we explain how Spanish Blackjack works, outline key winning hands and payouts, and highlight the top casinos online where you can play Spanish 21.

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Spanish Blackjack

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Best Online Casinos to Play Spanish Blackjack

1

Fastpay Casino

Rating: 6.5/10

  • Over 6,000 games
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  • Fast withdrawal within 10 minutes
  • Availability of crypto games

3

Weiss Casino

Rating: 6.5/10

  • Daily and Weekly Cashback up to 40%
  • Unique loyalty program
  • Own Token WEFT
  • Quick Withdrawals
  • Tokenized Rakeback
  • Support Live-chat 24/7

6

Lanista Casino

Rating: 7.7/10

  • Low Interac deposit of C$10
  • Up to 15% cashback weekly
  • 5-level VIP program with custom bonuses
  • Unique Claw Machine gamification
  • 280+ exclusive games

8

RoboCat Casino

Rating: 7.6/10

  • Over 20,000 games in total
  • 79 games exclusive to RoboCat
  • Crypto friendly
  • Weekend reload bonus worth C$1,050
  • 24/7 support via live chat and email

14

Spinline Casino

Rating: 7.5/10

  • Tournament pools of 3,000+ FS
  • CAD and cryptocurrencies accepted
  • 1-day average withdrawals
  • C$288,290 for VIP level 100
  • Bonus Calendar offers promotions daily

17

GoKong Casino

Rating: 7.5/10

  • 33,000+ games from 70+ providers
  • Minimum deposit from C$10
  • Cashback rewards up to 15%
  • Bonus Crab system
  • 5-level VIP program with extra perks

21

Frumzi Casino

Rating: 7.1/10

  • Over 280 live games available
  • Fast registration and payments with FunID
  • Supports 80+ cryptocurrencies
  • Weekly cashback up to 15%
  • Betting section for sports enthusiasts

24

Nalu Casino

Rating: 6.7/10

  • Over 16,000+ high-quality games
  • Casino & sportsbook betting options
  • Kahnawake 00939 license
  • Both crypto and fiat transactions
  • User-friendly C$10 minimum deposit

What is Spanish Blackjack & How to Play

Introduction to Spanish Blackjack

As with standard blackjack, the goal of Spanish Blackjack is to beat the dealer by having a hand value closer to 21 without going over. The key difference is the deck composition, which changes strategy and rules. Also known as Spanish 21, the game with a 99.4%-99.6% RTP is played with six or eight 48-card Spanish decks, where all 10s are removed. The dealer hits on soft 17. Players can double down on any number of cards, including after splitting, and may split pairs up to three times, creating four hands. The game features multiple bonus payouts, such as higher rewards for 5-card, 6-card, or 7+ card 21s. Late surrender is allowed, returning half the bet. Ties result in a push, except for player blackjacks, which always win against the dealer's blackjack.

Pros and Cons of Spanish Blackjack

  • Advantages

  • +

    Player-friendly rules like late surrender and doubling after splitting

  • +

    Bonus payouts for 5-, 6-, and 7+ card 21s

  • +

    Automatic player wins on 21, even vs dealer 21

  • +

    High 99.6% RTP

  • Limitations

  • Removing all 10s makes it harder to hit natural 21s

  • Harder to master due to bonus payouts and rule exceptions

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Spanish Blackjack plays differently from standard blackjack, so common habits can lead to mistakes. Knowing what to avoid helps lower the house advantage and improves overall play:

  • Using standard blackjack strategy: Spanish Blackjack requires a different strategy because all 10s are removed. Playing as if it were regular blackjack increases losses.
  • Undervaluing bonus hands: Failing to aim for 5-, 6-, or 7+ card 21s means missing higher-payout opportunities built into the game.
  • Ignoring surrender options: Late surrender is often available and useful in weak situations, but many players never use it.
  • Doubling without advantage: Although doubling is allowed more freely, it should still be used only in favourable scenarios.
  • Overplaying side bets: Side bets usually have a much higher house edge and can drain your bankroll quickly.
Spanish Blackjack History

Spanish Blackjack History

The game’s exact origins are unclear, but it is believed to have originated in casinos in the United States. The primary distinguishing feature of Spanish Blackjack is the removal of all the 10-value cards from the deck. This alteration was introduced to create a new and exciting variation of the traditional blackjack game, offering players a different set of rules and strategies.

The game gained popularity in the 1990s, particularly in land-based casinos in the United States and Canada. The name ‘Spanish 21’ was coined due to the game’s popularity among Hispanic players in the United States. The name ‘Spanish’ refers to the Spanish deck, which lacks the 10-value cards.

Rules of Spanish Blackjack

Rules of Spanish Blackjack

Please note that Spanish Blackjack real-money rules can vary slightly depending on the specific casino or platform where the game is played. Spanish Blackjack is typically played with a standard deck of 52 cards, but all the 10s are removed. This means that each deck consists of only 48 cards. The card values remain the same as in traditional blackjack. Numbered cards from two to nine are worth their face-up value, any face card (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) is worth ten, and aces can be worth either 1 or 11, depending on the player’s preference. The objective of Spanish Blackjack is to beat the dealer by having a hand total closer to 21 without exceeding it. Players can Hit, Stand, Double Down, Split, Re-split, and Surrender. In some cases, you’ll find the Insurance option, but this is an exception rather than the rule.

Strategies for Spanish Blackjack

Spanish Blackjack rules are quite simple, while the game’s potential is massive due to the low house edge. However, articles with strategies for blackjack games can give people playing in Canada an additional advantage since it’s an opportunity to both understand the online gambling game better and avoid common mistakes. This way, you can place bets after a quality analysis.

💵 Spanish Blackjack Betting Systems

Betting systems are strategies or approaches that players use to manage their bets and potentially minimize their losses. We should note that no betting system guarantees consistent winnings. These systems aren’t based on game knowledge, so you can use them only to make your bets systematic.

Spanish Blackjack Betting Systems
Martingale The basic idea of the Martingale system is to double the bet after each loss, with the goal of eventually recovering previous losses and making a profit when a win occurs.
Paroli The Paroli system is a positive progression betting system where players increase their bet after a win.
Oscar’s Grind Oscar’s Grind is a betting system that aims for small, consistent wins where the player increases their bet by one unit after each win and keeps the bet the same after a loss.
1-3-2-6 system As for the 1-3-2-6 system, the player starts with a one-unit bet and increases the bet size after each win, following the sequence 1-3-2-6.

🃏 Spanish Blackjack Card Counting

In Spanish Blackjack, card counting follows the same principles as traditional blackjack. However, since Spanish Blackjack uses a deck without the 10s, the card counting system needs to be adjusted accordingly. Typically, card counters assign point values to the cards as follows: Numbered cards (2 to 9) +1, Face cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings) 0, and Aces -1.

The card counting system used in Spanish Blackjack is often referred to as the ‘Unbalanced Zen Count’ or the ‘Spanish 21 Zen Count’. This unbalanced system does not require a conversion to the ‘true count’ (running count divided by the number of remaining decks), as the number of decks used is already known (typically one or six). However, we should warn you that the online version doesn’t allow Canadians to apply this strategy because the dealer uses a continuous shuffling machine for cards.

🎲 Spanish Blackjack Side Bets

This variation is extremely friendly to side bets that players can place alongside the main game. These bets provide an opportunity for CA players to wager on specific outcomes or combinations of cards, separate from the regular blackjack hand.

Spanish Blackjack Side Bets
Match the Dealer Match the Dealer is a side bet where players wager on whether one or both of their initial cards will match the dealer’s upcard in rank or suit. Matches can result in bonus payouts.
21+3 21+3 is a side bet that combines the player’s two initial cards with the dealer’s up-card to form a three-card poker hand (poker hand values, such as a flush, straight, or three-of-a-kind).
Perfect Pairs The Perfect Pairs side bet allows players to wager on whether their initial two cards will be a pair, which is based on the type of pair formed (e.g. Perfect Pair with the same rank and suit).

📊 Spanish Blackjack Odds

The odds in Spanish Blackjack are still in favour of the casino due to the removal of the 10s from the deck. The specific house edge and odds can vary depending on the rules and payout structures. In general, it’s considered that the house edge is as low as 0.37%, which looks very attractive, especially for players looking for simple table games with enough space for side bets.

The strategy employed by the player can also impact the odds. Using optimal basic strategy, which is a mathematically calculated approach to playing each hand, can help minimize the house edge and improve the player’s chances of winning. Employing effective strategy decisions can maximize the value of the Canadian player’s hands and minimize potential losses.

Spanish Blackjack Variations

In fact, Spanish Blackjack is already an extra variation of the blackjack game. However, in addition to this, customers can find a selection of other Spanish Blackjack variations available for users in Canada.

Spanish Blackjack Variations
Super Bonus This blackjack variation offers an additional payout for specific hands. For example, if a player has a suited 7-7-7 and the dealer’s up-card is also a seven, then a super bonus payout is awarded.
Match the Dealer In this variation, players can place a side bet on whether one or both of their initial cards will match the dealer’s upcard in rank or suit. Matching cards can result in bonus payouts.
Free Bet Blackjack While not exclusive to Spanish Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack is sometimes played with Spanish 21 rules. In this variation, players are offered free double-downs on certain hands and free splits on pairs, with the casino covering the additional bets.
Pontoon Although not strictly a Spanish Blackjack variation, Pontoon shares some similarities. Pontoon is a British version of blackjack that also removes the 10-value cards from the deck and uses its own set of rules and terminology.

Spanish Blackjack Online

Though this game entered the Canadian market from the land-based gambling halls of foreign countries, Spanish Blackjack online is now extremely popular and available at top CA online casinos. Of course, you can experience some differences, like the absence of an opportunity to apply the card-counter strategy. Even so, a lot of factors still make online gameplay attractive:

  • Canadians can apply varied deposit bonuses, get free chips, take part in action-packed tourneys, and play table or slot games with jackpots.
  • All locations are fine for playing online, as well as the various gadgets you may utilize, including mobile devices on iOS and Android.
  • Canadians can enjoy live dealer blackjack (the games are streamed from real studios with a game host).
  • The best online casinos in the country offer a wide choice of depositing methods and fast withdrawals.
  • Gambling libraries can host other games to boot, including video poker, slots, roulette, crash games, and other cash games for your excitement.
  • Factors like AML, KYC, transparent information in T&Cs, and other tools on a reliable site protect your account and make the overall experience safe.

Canadians don’t need to Google to find decent sites. On this page, you can easily find lists of the best online casino sites in Canada, including their promotions, like match offers and free spins (amount and conditions), as well as information about the available casino games and their features, the company which owns the casino, ways to make deposits, world gambling news, and lots of other details.

Interesting to know

Spanish Blackjack, also known as Spanish 21, is a popular variation of the traditional blackjack game. It is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, but with the removal of all the 10-value cards. This means that the game is played with only 48 cards. To understand Blackjack Spanish 21 a bit more, you can use these statistical details that highlight the RTP, house edge, average bets, and other key aspects connected with numbers and payouts:

  • Spanish Blackjack has a house edge of 0.37%, making it one of the best Blackjack variants for players.
  • The game has a basic strategy return of 99.63%, meaning that players can expect to win almost all of the time.
  • The game also has a low variance, meaning that players can expect to win small amounts consistently.
  • Some game variations have a maximum bet of $500 or even more, making this type a great game for high rollers.

Conclusion

Spanish Blackjack is a variant of the classic casino game that is played with 8 decks of 48 cards. The game is played with the traditional rules of Blackjack, but with some additions that make it unique. The absence of tens makes the gameplay quite unusual since it’s harder to get a blackjack when you have only cards giving 11 points (Jack, Queen, King, Ace), while the 10 points for your 21 should be formed of other cards, and you shouldn’t go bust by collecting them. This is why Spanish 21 Blackjack is quite challenging yet popular among Canadians, and our CasinoCanada team will give you helpful tips regarding the gameplay and top Spanish Blackjack casinos!

Lucas Goldberg
Lucas, a seasoned site editor at CasinoCanada, boasts a decade-long journey in the gambling industry with a focus on providing players with meticulous reviews and insights of online games and casinos.
Site Editor
University of Toronto
Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Digital Media, and Journalism, PlayTech Analytics career, communication with users through high-quality gambling content.
Expert in:
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Fact checked by Chief Editor:
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FAQ

What is the object of the Spanish Blackjack game?

Basically, the rules are quite standard since your main goal is to get 21 or close to it without overcoming this limit, but you will play without tens.

How is the Spanish Blackjack game played?

Initially, it’s a standard blackjack game you play with a dealer (or an RNG machine). The only difference is that the game is played without tens.

What is the house edge in Spanish Blackjack?

Spanish Blackjack has a house edge of 0.37%, making it one of the best Blackjack variants for players.

How many decks of cards are used in Spanish Blackjack?

This blackjack variation is played with 8 decks of 48 cards. Interestingly, tens are removed from all these decks.

Can the player surrender in Spanish Blackjack?

Yes, if the dealer does not get a blackjack and the dealer’s second card has not yet been revealed, players may surrender.

How much does it cost to play Spanish blackjack?

If you find a demo version, you can even play for free. In the event of real-money games, you can find games with low stakes of even C$0.10 per round.

How is Spanish Blackjack different from regular blackjack?

While all the basic aspects and rules are the same, the main difference is the absence of tens in the decks, which makes the process of forming a blackjack hand challenging.

What are some strategy tips for Spanish Blackjack?

Canadians can follow the basic strategy and use a special chart for this, play responsibly, and apply betting systems to manage their bankroll.

Is it legal to play Spanish Blackjack in Canada?

Yes. Canadian players can play Spanish Blackjack at legitimate online casinos.

What is the best strategy for Spanish Blackjack?

Use a strategy chart designed specifically for Spanish Blackjack. Standard blackjack strategy does not apply because all 10s are removed, and bonus payouts change optimal decisions.

Where can I play Spanish Blackjack for free?

Many Canadian online casinos offer free demo versions of Spanish Blackjack so you can practice. Check our list of licensed online casinos above, all of which offer Spanish 21 for free.

What are the best casinos for Spanish Blackjack?

The best online gaming platforms for Spanish Blackjack include Fastpay Casino, Paripesa Casino, Weiss Casino, and Lanista Casino.

Can I play Spanish Blackjack on mobile?

Yes. Spanish Blackjack is widely available on mobile through HTML5-based platforms and casino apps for iOS and Android.

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