Spanish 21 - Countable?

I'm thinking of playing Spanish 21 as a diversion. Blackjack is like working a foot-press machine. It gets repetitive and boring.

I have some friends who play Spanish 21 and keep wanting me to play, telling me they win more at that game than at Blackjack. I know this is not true because the math says it aint so. But there are all those additional options and outcomes...

I'm willing to try and acquire BS skills for the game, although there are too many variations from regular BJ, plus the adjustments for multiple cards that qualify for bonuses to make me think it will be worth the effort.

Clearly there is no chance to be successful if I just flat bet the minimum, and varying my bet ought to be based on more than just what I "feel". Not that feelings aren't what drives so many players...

Is the game countable? Eight decks. With fewer tens, a positive count is easier to come by, but less reliable as an indicator of the status of the cards left in the shoe. I don't plan on making a career of it, beyond demonstrating to myself and my friends that it's a bad idea, and we should all go back to the blackjack table.

What's the consensus?

Katarina Walker's book is a good reference to learn counting Spanish 21. By the way, read the seven reviews!

The consensus is you can kill the game if you know what you're doing. You don't seem like you want to know what you're doing though.

Quote: racquet

I'm thinking of playing Spanish 21 as a diversion. Blackjack is like working a foot-press machine. It gets repetitive and boring.

I have some friends who play Spanish 21 and keep wanting me to play, telling me they win more at that game than at Blackjack. I know this is not true because the math says it aint so. But there are all those additional options and outcomes...

I'm willing to try and acquire BS skills for the game, although there are too many variations from regular BJ, plus the adjustments for multiple cards that qualify for bonuses to make me think it will be worth the effort.

Clearly there is no chance to be successful if I just flat bet the minimum, and varying my bet ought to be based on more than just what I "feel". Not that feelings aren't what drives so many players...

Is the game countable? Eight decks. With fewer tens, a positive count is easier to come by, but less reliable as an indicator of the status of the cards left in the shoe. I don't plan on making a career of it, beyond demonstrating to myself and my friends that it's a bad idea, and we should all go back to the blackjack table.

What's the consensus?

I too have taken it up within the last two or three months, just out of curiosity. First of all, it's fun has heck. But, of course, fun is not our primary goal. I am still flat-betting just a little, and just getting used to it. I have only played at California Indian casinos so far and they all seem to run the same. H17, re-doubling, everything is the same except one place has 8 decks, the others six. Although I am a newbie, I quickly learned to play better than 90+ % of the rest of the players, who are generally just awful. There is no reason for casino heat, but I have only played with red and green chip players. I have not run into anyone yet who plays pro-level, and I think I could recognize. Kinda like video poker, over here I NEVER run into another "player".

I would continue looking into it if I was you.

Quote: sabre

don't seem like you want to know what you're doing

Well, I suppose.

Seems to me there are too many variations in BS for the game - five cards, six cards, after doubling... If there's a reasonable chance to beat the game by learning all the variations, well then, okay. But if not, then I'll play just for the fun of it. Seems like there is more of that than in regular blackjack.

I go bowling twice a year, but don't have a clue how to bowl, and don't harbor any dreams of going on tour or of making a high score. It's fun. That's it.

This could be the same thing.

SP21 is very countable and beatable , if the game has the right rules and pay tables. Many games either don't allow everything or short pay.
I can't recommend Kat Walkers book enough.

Quote: billryan

SP21 is very countable and beatable , if the game has the right rules and pay tables. Many games either don't allow everything or short pay.
I can't recommend Kat Walkers book enough.

(I deleted this because I was repeating myself)

One thing I was wondering, though, is this game popular in Vegas? I have a couple friends that said no, but they aren't very observant.

I agree, Walker's book is great.

I'm told it's much better elsewhere.

Quote: billryan

I'm told it's much better elsewhere.

The key rule with Spanish 21 is whether the dealer hits on Soft 17. In regular Blackjack, it's not that bad of a rule, all else being equal. However, in Spanish 21, because Soft 17 occurs more often AND the dealer is less likely to bust, hitting on Soft 17 almost doubles the house edge. You will need a larger spread and backcounting if the dealer hits Soft 17 and you can't redouble.