I would think , with all the weird conditional plays in that game, the easiest possible count would be ideal
Indexes are very important in Spanish 21, more so than in regular BJ. Unfortunately without using an ace side count most counts which are strong for BC will have horrible PE and vice versa. All below refers to the S17 game with no redoubling.
I used to use Hi-Lo, with aces counted as -2. I think this is a very solid count that while not the strongest for PE would be easy for a blackjack player to step in and learn. With this count I was getting SCOREs just below 20 (unfortunately I am quoting these numbers by memory) with a typical cut of 1.5 decks and 1-12 spread play all one hand only, with SCORE perhaps 25-28 after wonging out in bad counts. This is with full indices for 2-4 cards and basic strat above that although I used an estimate for 3-4 cards since I couldn't figure out how to sim them. With spreading to two hands and a more aggressive spread, which I have used with no problems in the past (getting a S17 spanish table with two adjacent spots is more difficult than spreading say 25 to 500 IMO) the SCORE could be pushed up above 40.
I now use the count 1,1,2,2,1,1,-1,-1,-1,-3. Counting the seven as +1 is not optimal and ignoring it and counting the three as +2 would be better. But I find this count is much easier to use at the tables because all the cards are counted. I get a SCORE of 27 in the same conditions as the A -2 count, moving into the mid 30s after wonging. To me this is not really worth playing as there are plenty of BJ games better than that, but I think Spanish is fun and very low heat, so it's something I do when I feel like having a relaxing recreational session. I will not name casinos but there is at least one casino where if I play rated I will get a normal treatment regardless of play style in Spanish whereas I am not able to play rated BJ in that casino. With that said I have been backed off playing Spanish. I am not certain but I believe the comps are much better in this game than regular BJ (they should be) as well.
Last edited by biggg; 01-28-2014 at 09:02 PM.
The trick is to have your playing decisions made with and ace neutral count and your betting decisions be the combination of 2 counts that total to something like this. It takes some real counting skillz that are poopooed in BJ circles today. Unfortunately that means most BJ players are ill suited to this game unless they develop real counting chops that they don't use in BJ.
Jabberwocky ...
... may use an unbalanced count, but I wouldn't; as I cannot justify the inherent inaccuracy.
Important factoid: It is true, that, in general, heat is low at Span21, BUT if you are already
in a casino's surveillance database you will be "auto-86'd" at Span21.
It has happened to me a few times. Limit your bets so as to not approach the table maximum
bet which is generally $500 on the East Coast and $300 on the North West Coast.
Last edited by ZenMaster_Flash; 11-22-2015 at 05:11 PM.
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