However, these aren’t standard decks of playing cards: they are made up of just 48 cards, as the tens have been removed. The player and dealer are then both dealt two cards from a shoe, usually comprised of either six or eight decks. The game starts with the player making a single bet. While the exact rules used at each site or venue can vary, the following should be very close to the rules you’ll find in most places. Assuming you are familiar with that game, we will focus mostly on the changes that are found in this popular variant. In order to play Spanish 21, it is best to first have an understanding of the rules of blackjack. However, there are a number of bonus ways to win, and the game is played with 48-card decks that change the math behind the game in some unusual ways. This version of the casino favorite features much of the same action as the original, with players hitting, standing, doubling down and splitting. One of the most popular of these attempts is Spanish 21, a game that can be found in many brick-and-mortar casinos, as well as many Internet gaming sites. Given how popular blackjack has proven to be around the world, it’s only natural that many have tried to change or build on the basics of the classic in order to create new challenges for players.