Now I know why they call it Spanish 21

[21forme]

I was recently playing Sp21 and a couple of players at the table and the dealer were all making fun of my crazy play, talking in Spanish to each other. You know those crazy plays - Surr 17 V A, hitting 12 v 6, etc. Oh yeah, also hit a 3 card 17 v A (and drew a 4.)

 

[FLASH1296]

The genesis of the name.

It is actually called Spanish 21 because in Costa Rica, they are forbidden by statute to offer BJ to the public, so they changed the rules, and the name was changed too. In Costa Rica it is called "Rommy" or "Rummy" depending on which place you are at.

Americans could never remember anything as taxing on their memories as Costa Rican" so it was simply called "Spanish 21"

 

[21forme]

Interesting. Thanks Flash.

BTW, I was in Costa Rica a few years ago. Looked at the "Rummy" games in 3 or 4 hotel casinos. They all were horrible, with 40-50% pen.

 

[FLASH1296]

I spent two weeks in C.R. about five years ago.

I saw penetration generally set at about 75%

I did find ONE tiny casino in San Jose that dealt me actual BJ, but the low stakes games was entirely unremarkable.

 

[actuary]

It is actually called Spanish 21 because in Costa Rica, they are forbidden by statute to offer BJ to the public, so they changed the rules, and the name was changed too. In Costa Rica it is called "Rommy" or "Rummy" depending on which place you are at.

Americans could never remember anything as taxing on their memories as Costa Rican" so it was simply called "Spanish 21"

Wait - wasn't Spanish 21 invented by Masque Publishing? Its been my understanding that they called it Spanish 21 because the deck they use resembles a Spanish deck of cards - which traditionally only has 48 cards (no 10's).

From an old website I can't find anymore:
"Traditional Spanish decks are made of forty-eight cards; each suit has pip cards from 1 (ace) to 9, ending with a knave, a cavalier and a king. The latter bear a tiny numeral index: 10, 11 and 12, respectively." The knave/10 is similar to our Jack and the cavalier/11 to our Queen.

 

[FLASH1296]

I could be wrong

 

[21forme]

I believe actuary is correct. I've heard that somewhere, too.

Flash - how come small text when your tail is between your legs? :grin:

 

[Tarzan]

Night before last...

I was in one of the casinos in Atlantic City the other night and there was a woman with the distinct odor of strong alcohol on her breath (that you could notice from a meter away from her) that WAS offering BJ to the public! It's a good thing she was not in Costa Rica is all I can say!!!!

I have never played Spanish 21, primarily because your whole strategy of play would obviously be much different and I would have to research beforehand if the game is even beatable with ANY given strategy. I think it falls into the category of "If it's not broken don't try to fix it!" Why should I deviate from what I have found to be worthwhile or profitable is the way I look at it.

The scary part is that all the 10's are removed from the EIGHT decks in AC. I have watched people play it (and get slaughtered for the most part) but have never attempted it myself.

 

[ccl]

my biggest wins and freak wins were on SP21, the game progresses faster when you are winning, but the same for losing. I have done the $10 into $800 in 15 mins at the game, and lost $400 in 3-4 hands playing because of the triple double downs (damn doubled twice for an 11 vs 6 only to pull an ace)