Is Blackjack the Same As 21?

Ever imagined a casino without blackjack? No, you don’t want to, because where’s the fun in having roulette, poker, baccarat, and even the slot machines, without having our favourite game of blackjack? Known across the world as blackjack, it has another name – 21. This name originated from players having to have values of 21 before winning the game. Many have raised questions on whether blackjack is the same as 21 or if there is more to the name. Let’s find out in this article.

There is no difference

Yes, they are both the same. Although with slight variations, the rules of the game remain unchanged. The name 21 got famous among gamers as they are expected to get 21 points to be declared winner, and anything above that will end up in them losing. As history have it, the game got its roots in France in the 1760s. Then, it was called vintage-et-un, simply put, 21. The game evolved, and an American version was developed, which is now known as the typical blackjack.

Public Opinion says there is one

No doubt, people believe there is a difference between the two, but that is just how it seems. This stems from the fact that there is a variation known as Spanish 21. Just like there is American, French, and European roulette, there are variations to the blackjack game. The basic rules guiding the game remain the same, but there are slight differences in how it is played. So, people tend to refer to all blackjack games as just blackjack or 21.

The major difference between the classic blackjack and Spanish 21 is the deck used. While the former makes use of 52 cards, the latter uses 48. This can be a disadvantage to the player as the four cards having a value of 10 are removed from the deck, and players are left with cards having low value.

Common Bets in Blackjack and Spanish 21

In the classic game, side bets are few. This does not hold a candle to Spanish 21, which has numerous side bets available to players. There is the insurance which pays at the rate of 2:1. The payout for the 5-card hand bet, which is made when your hand has 5 cards of the same rank, is 3:1. The six-card hand and the seven-card hand are additional side bets in Spanish 21.

Which Blackjack Favours the Player Most?

As an online blackjack player, you would want to know which of the two favours you best. Speaking of players’ chances of winning, the Spanish version might take the spot. In cases where both the player and dealer have a hand of 21, the player always wins in Spanish blackjack. This is not the case in classic blackjack, where no winner is determined.

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