Blackjack with Spanish Twist

December 8th, 2009  |  Published in Inrodution

Spanish 21 is a blackjack variant commonly played online and in land-based casinos around the world.  This game actually has its own variants, including Pontoon, which is a big hit in Australia and Malaysia.

The variation we will discuss is quite similar to traditional blackjack.  In fact, it has the same simple objective, which is to assemble a hand with a value greater than the dealer’s without going over.  The cards have the same value, with the ace counting as 1 or 11, and cards 2 through 9 counting as their usual face value.  However, there are some differences that make Spanish 21 the uniquely popular version it is today.

The Spanish 21 Deck

Playing Spanish 21 is akin to playing regular blackjack.  However, the biggest difference lies in the deck.  Whereas most variants use standard 52-decks, the Spanish version uses a special 48-deck of cards.  Most importantly, this deck does not include any of the four tens.

While the deduction of these cards gives the house an obvious advantage, there are a number rules put in place that actually benefit the player.  In fact, Spanish 21 offers some of the best odds of any casino game, provided that the game is played correctly.

Bonus Payouts

Perhaps the greatest advantage Spanish 21 offers is that a player 21 will always beat the dealer.  Therefore, if both you and the dealer hit blackjack, you win automatically every time.

Another distinct quality of this game is that it offers generous bonus payouts.  These payouts are structured as follows:

  • Five-card 21 payouts at 3 to 2
  • Six-card 21 payouts at 2 to 1
  • Seven-card 21 pays out 3 to 1
  • Six, seven and eight-card 21 pays out at 3 to 2
  • Triple sevens (7-7-7) pays out a 3 to 2
  • 21 assembled from cards of the same suit pay out at 2 to 1
  • 21 assembled from all spades pay out at 3 to 1

There are also other bonuses that make Spanish 21 an attractive blackjack variant.  If one of the dealer’s face up cards is a seven and the player has a suited triple seven, the player is paid out $1000 for wagers between $5 to $24, and $50 for wagers over $25.

While this bonus sounds very appealing, it is important to note that the odds of assembling such a hand are very rare; in fact, the odds are 1 in 3.2 million when the game is played with eight decks of cards.  Also keep in mind that all bonuses are null and void if you double down.

Double Down and Splitting

Spanish 21 has very unique rules in regard to double down and splitting.   First and foremost, players are permitted to double down on any number of cards.  Most casinos also allow players to double down and hit even after splitting aces.  Players have the option to “surrender” by giving up their original bet, a rule called the “double down rescue” or simply “insurance.”

While Spanish 21 allows the player to double down regardless of the number of cards, it is very likely that you will be doing so less frequently due to the lack of tens in the deck.  This could also work to the player’s disadvantage because some might choose to hit at points where they would normally stand in traditional blackjack.

In regard to splitting, players can split pairs, aces included, up to four times.

If the Spanish 21 rules set by a particular casino require the dealer to stand on a soft 17, the house edge drops significantly, lowering to 0.40%.  If redoubling is permitted and the dealer can hit on a soft 17, the house edge increases to 0.42%.  If redoubling is not permitted and the dealer hits on a soft 17, the house edge rises significantly, going up to 0.76%.

In Spanish 21, the house edge automatically assumes that the player is employing the perfect strategy.

Conclusion

Spanish 21 is springing up in casinos all over the internet.  While there are many similarities, it is played in a different manner than the traditional version of blackjack.  The good news is that you do not have to be fluent in Spanish to master the game!  By simply understanding the difference in the rules, you will have a better chance of winning big when you take a seat at the live or virtual table.

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The Lowdown on Razz Poker

December 1st, 2009  |  Published in Inrodution

Razz is a poker variant based on seven-card stud rules.  The unique aspect of this game is that instead of the highest hand winning, the lowest, or worst hand, tops out.  In Razz, the lowest hand is an ace, two, three, four, and five, since aces are considered low.  The lowest hand in Razz possible, the ace to five straight is often called the “wheel” or “bike.”

Unlike Omaha and other hi-lo spilt games that produce two winners who split the pot, there is no “eight or better” component when playing razz.  In a hi-lo game with eight or better rules, in order to be considered a low hand, the winning hand cannot contain a card greater than eight.

However, since only the low hand wins in Razz, any hand has the possibility of winning, even those that contain low pairs.  Although this scenario is possible, it is also very unlikely as most winning hands will not include a pair.

Razz Rules

Razz is structured by five rounds.  For fixed limit games, all of the raises and bets must be equivalent to the low or high bet limit, which all depends on the round.  During the initial two rounds, every raise and bet must match the low bet limit. However, in the third through fifth rounds, all raises and bets must match the high bet limit.

For example, if a 3-6 limits game, every bet in rounds one and two would be three dollars, and all bets in the final three rounds would be six dollars.  Razz poker allows up to three raises per each betting round.

Razz Betting

Third Street – Each player receives two face-down cards, followed by a face-up card.  The player holding the highest card showing is required to “bring in” by betting half of the low limit bet.  However, you have the option to raise and bet the entire low limit.  In a game of razz, play goes clockwise with each player opting to call, fold, or raise.

Fourth Street – Each player receives a face up card.  The player who is holding the lowest hand will be the first one to take action.  However, if there are two or more players who tie for the lowest held hands, then player who is the first one to the left of the dealer will take the initial action.  They have the option to fold, check or bet.  Play goes around the table clockwise just as before.

Fifth Street – Each player receives a fifth card face up.   Like the first four rounds, the player holding the lowest hand will initiate the action.  However, in this round, every raise and bet is required to match the high bet limit, whereas bets and previous rounds must equal the low bet.

Sixth Street – Each player receives a sixth card face up.  Play proceeds around the table as it did in the previous round.  Just as before, all bets and raises need to be equivalent to the high limit bet.

Seventh Street – Each player receives the seventh and final card face down.  Play proceeds just as it did in the six round, with all bets and raises required to match the high limit.  In the event that all players are still in the game at this point, which is very rare, then the number of cards would not be sufficient for every player to receive a seventh card.  When this happens, one community card that all players can freely use is placed faced up in the center of the table.

Showdown -   All players who have not folded after the seventh round now have the chance to reveal their hand and try to win the pot.  The player who bet last shows their hand first, and the showdown proceeds clockwise around the table.  Each player can either show their hand, or fold for the final time.  Many times, players will fold their hand when they know they will not win because they do not want their playing strategy exposed.

Conclusion

Razz is a fun game and if you can play seven-card stud, then you should have no trouble with this variant.  All you have to do is keep in mind that the object of the game is to assemble the lowest hand possible.  Also remember that straights and flushes are not counted, so this will have no affect on your hand if you happen to have either.

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The Ins and Outs of Let it Ride Poker

November 18th, 2009  |  Published in Inrodution

Let it Ride is a popular poker variant that was first introduced to casinos in the early 1990s.  In fact, it was actually created by Shuffle Master Inc., the company best known for manufacturing automatic card shuffling devices.

What makes Let it Ride poker so popular and exiting is the potential for higher payouts.  Since you are playing against the house and not trying to beat other players or the dealer, amity often develops among the table, which can make for a very fun and exciting atmosphere.  Let it Ride poker is relatively easy to play and adopting a good strategy is something that can be accomplished quickly.

Playing Let it Ride Poker

In a casinos, Let it Ride poker is played on blackjack-like tables.  It is essentially a game of man vs. machine.  On the table, there are three circles marked “1,” “2,” and “$.”  To begin, you must make three wagers of equal size in each circle.   The cards are then dealt out three at a time.

Once each player has their cards, the dealer discards one card, which leaves them with two hole cards in front of them.  From there, the machine counts the remaining cards in the discard tray.  Once this occurs, players can then view their hand.

You now have the option to take back the bet you placed in the first circle or “Let it Ride.”   In order to take your bet back, you simply move your cards in towards you or form a brushing motion with your hand.

Once all players at the table have made their decision, the dealer turns over the first of two community cards, which are right front of them.  All players can use this card as the fourth card for their hand.  At this point, you have the option of taking back your second bet or choosing to Let it Ride.  Take note that even if you let your first bet ride, you can still take back the second one.  However, you can’t take away, or put your first bet back up.

When all players have decided whether or not to let their second bet ride, the dealer then turns over the second community card.  This card acts as the fifth and final card that everyone can use.  From here, the dealer pays out winning bets based on the following pay table:

Royal Flush: 1000 to 1
Straight Flush: 200 to 1
Four of a Kind: 50 to 1
Full House: 11 to 1
Flush: 8 to 1
Straight: 5 to 1
Three of a Kind: 3 to 1
Two Pair: 2 to 1
Pair of 10′s or Better: 1 to 1

Unlike other poker variants, there is no exchange of cards in Let it Ride.  The total value you obtain is based solely on your three cards and the two from the dealer.  And because up to 40% of the entire hand is concealed, players are not allowed to openly communicate at the table.  Thus, while there is often a harmony among the players, you are forbidden from knowing what other players are holding as it would create an unfair advantage over the house.

Let it Ride Strategy

When you implement a good strategy, the house edge for a basic game of Let it Ride poker is about 3.5%.  What you need to determine is when to Let it Ride, and when to take your hand down.  Here is a bit of simple strategy that works for many players:

Let Bet #1 Ride if:

You have a winning hand consisting of a pair of tens or better

You have a three-card Royal Flush

You have a three-card Straight Flush.

Let Bet #2 Ride if:

You have a winning hand consisting of a pair of tens or better

You have four-card Royal Flush

You have a four-card Straight Flush

You have four high cards

You have a four-card open ended straight

Conclusion

Let it ride can be a very fun game for the recreational poker player.  It moves along relatively slowly, which should give you the opportunity to learn as you play.  By taking the time out to familiarize yourself with the rules and game play, you can pick up on this one with ease and master it quickly.

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