The bonus payouts

Spanish 21's tradeoff for removing the 10s is a stack of bonus payouts that only Spanish 21 offers. Every one of them requires reaching 21 — and most pay even when the dealer also has 21. The bonuses break down into two groups: 5-, 6-, and 7-card 21s: pay 3:2, 2:1, and 3:1 respectively. Hitting your way from 12 to 21 with five small cards is exciting — and rare enough that the bonus matters. Suited 21s: 6-7-8 or 7-7-7 of the same suit pay 2:1, and the 7-7-7 of diamonds against a dealer 7 pays a Super Bonus ($1,000 on bets under $25, $5,000 on bets ≥ $25). These bonuses are why Spanish 21 strategy sometimes tells you to hit a hand you'd never hit in regular blackjack — there's a meaningful chance you'll land in bonus territory.