Spanish 21 uses six or eight Spanish decks, each deck consisting of 48 cards -- the regular 52 cards less the four tens. Any card counter can tell you that removing any 10-point card from the cards moves the odds in favor of the dealer. To make up for this Spanish 21 gives to the player a host of bonuses and favorable rules. The rules are based on liberal 6-8 deck blackjack rules, including double after split, late surrender, and re-splitting aces. In addition Spanish 21 offers the follows rule enhancements:

• A player 21 always wins.
• Player blackjack beats dealer blackjack.
• Player may double on any number of cards.
• Player may hit usually and double down after splitting aces (some casinos no longer allow this).
• Player may surrender half of total bet after doubling down (known as "double down rescue.")
• A five-card 21 pays 3:2, a six-card 21 pays 2:1, a seven or more card 21 pays 3:1.
• A 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of mixed suits pays 3:2, of the same suit pays 2:1, and of spades pays 3:1.
• Suited 7-7-7 when the dealer has a seven face up pays $1000 for bets of $5-$24 and $5000 for bets of $25 or over. In addition, all other players receive a $50 "envy bonus." This rule does not apply after splitting.

Notes:

1. Dealer usually hits a soft 17 .
2. All 21 bonus hands do not count if the result of doubling.
3. Usually 6-8 Six Spanish decks are used.
4. Some casinos allow redoubling, up to three times.