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Table Games Spanish 21

Discussion in 'Table Games' started by Mario's Backroom, Apr 24, 2014.

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  1. Mario's Backroom

    Mario's Backroom Low-Roller

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    I love playing this at the MGM Grand in Detroit....it's a fun, albeit skewed, BJ game where you can win more money on the "sucker" Match the Dealer bet than you do the old fashioned BJ way. I find players betting table min of $15 and playing $25-50 on the Match the dealer bet...nothing like a $450 win for a perfect match. Not to mention, blackjack pays 2-1, whether the dealer has it or not. Kind of weird not having 10s in the deck and hitting on 12s and 13s, but if you're winning, you get used to it!

    I once saw a Spanish table tucked away at the Cosmo, but when I was back there in March, they told me it had been removed. Is there any place in Vegas that has Spanish 21? I'd love to play it this Fall when I go back.

    Good luck, everyone!
     
  2. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    I've never seen it in Vegas but people have posted that they have it at Venetian but at inferior rules. Do a search on this board and you'll find a list somewhere of the few places its been seen, but none of the Vegas casinos offered it at the normal good rules.

    I love Spanish 21. Its probably my favorite game. Its common in AC and offered at very favorable rules, its better than most BJ games offered anywhere. The "Match the Dealer" side-bet is popular there as well and people do the same thing - i.e. only care about winning the side bet. Other players are always shaking their head at me for not playing mine so I let whoever is sitting next to me play it on my hand.

    I've played it a lot and have never seen a single person who plays it with proper strategy. They play it like blackjack or worse. I keep the strategy cards for it on me when I play because there is a lot more nuance in the game that is easy to forget. I haven't kept track but I am easily way way ahead on that game.
     
  3. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    I think "free bet blackjack" may have replaced Spanish 21 at Venetian.
     
  4. ams722

    ams722 Side Bet Shunner

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    I play it at the MGM Grand Detroit too and BJ only pays 3-2. I don't play the sucker side bet and of course crazy Detroit gamblers get mad at me.

    It used to be at the Venetian/Palazzo. It's gone now. It was awful in Vegas cause people don't know basic strategy and play it like regular blackjack. So frustrating.
     
  5. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Awful as in you would get criticized for playing correctly? :evillaugh
     
  6. Mario's Backroom

    Mario's Backroom Low-Roller

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    You are correct...my bad! Whether you play high risk or out to have fun and double your buy-in, if it's a hot table with a bunch of matches, it's a blast to play!

    As for strategy, I'd love to see what "the book" says....other than hitting 12s and 13s, people generally play loose. Also, at least at MGM Detroit, most players play two hands and it's hard to get on one of the 3 Spanish tables they have in the BJ Pit.

    And too Tringlomane's comment, I hope "Free Bet" stays far, far away!

    Thanks, all! :beer:
     
  7. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    I know the old Lady Luck used to have it. Played it there many years ago. I think the Riv used to have it too. I have no idea if they still do.
     
    Annual Spring Trip!
  8. ams722

    ams722 Side Bet Shunner

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    I plan to check out the Spanish 21 table at Caesars Windsor soon. I just need my passport to arrive in the mail.

    I hear it is S17 whereas directly on the other side of the river the MGM Grand Detroit's are H17.
     
  9. Big Tip

    Big Tip VIP Whale

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    I use to enjoy playing it at Casino Royale. The tables they had there were replaced with Blackjack Switch though.
     
  10. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    i have lamented the loss of this game. other than perhaps a table at venetian or whatever upscale joint it is allegedly available at, there doesn't seem to be any S21 tables left in vegas. it was everywhere back in 1999 or the early 2000s, but it seems that the last few tables of five years ago have gone by the wayside.
     
  11. jrp227

    jrp227 Formerly KingJasonSlots on YT :)

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    I miss the Spanish at Cosmo so much. Twice, they gave me 25k wins due to being able to bet much higher on the match bet than in AC, which was capped at $100 when I lived there.
     
  12. Mario's Backroom

    Mario's Backroom Low-Roller

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    I found a new Spanish 21 location at the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines IL by O'Hare. $25 min hand, but the payouts for "Match the Dealer" are 3-1 for a match and 12-1 for a suited match. First time I've seen this payout, as opposed to 4-1 match and 9-1 suited at MGM Detroit.

    Played for a few hours and walked away up $200 on top of my $300 buy-in. Not a bad night! :beer:
     
  13. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Rivers made the table min that high for that game? Ouch, I can't afford that place for sure.

    And apparently that 3-1 and 12-1 suited is the typical "Match the Dealer" payout for the 8-deck game (2.99% house edge).

    http://wizardofodds.com/games/spanish-21/
     
  14. WrongWayWade

    WrongWayWade VIP Whale

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    I saw a game at Harrah's: 'Triple Attack Blackjack' that lets you bet up to three times on the same hand. Don't know all the rules but they use a 'Spanish' deck (all the 10-spot cards removed).

    I used to like Spanish-21 because of all the clever options available, like the double-double-down where you could double on two cards and then double again after you have three cards. But I was always unlucky with it. There are just a few of these left in Vegas from my observation. Tough game to train the dealers; lots of odd options and weird bonus payouts.

    I always asked the dealer if he has serious pangs of guilt every time he offers insurance, odds against 3:1, pays 2:1. (Real blackjack has odds against 9:4, a BIT different).
     
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