Customer Reviews

Armada Strategies for Spanish 21

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While on a casino trip, I became interested in the new "off-shoot" of Blackjack--Spanish 21. Since it's not my style to play casino games I know little about, I turned to a gaming writer I have come to trust and enjoy reading--Frank Skoblete. I was not disappointed. Skoblete's book on Armada Strategies is fun, instructional on the game, and has given me one more weapon with which to protect my bankroll during squirmishes in casino-land. If you are a beginner--buy and study this book--it will help you play this fun new game. If you are a seasoned Blackjack player--BUY AND STUDY this book--there's a different basic strategy to Spanish 21 than regular BJ that can make a difference between winning the battle and waving the white flag!

Spanish 21 is a new game that the casinos have put out to beat the players. Frank's book shows you how to reverse the tables. It is a lot of fun to read and gives you a whole new basic strategy to use against this game. He also shows you how to use comps to get an edge. A really interesting and valuable book.

Spanish 21 is a lot more fun than regular 21 once you learn the Armada Strategies. I have been getting a monetary edge (Scoblete's term) ever since I read this book! It's wonderful to win and get no heat from the pits bosses. Thank you kindly Mr. Scoblete for writing this book.

It has been discovered that the basic strategy for Spanish 21 provided in this book is INCORRECT. You can find the correct strategy on the internet. My favourite site is www.wizardofodds.com (look for Spanish 21).

While the book provides some interesting strategies for getting more comps, it really doesn't provide a way of coming out ahead monetarially. In other words, you are losing money playing (in the long run), but getting comps to offset your loses (like free buffets).

Then Amazon is offering you the best bargain you can get. I just finished reading both of Scoblete's books, BOLD CARD PLAY and THE ARMADA STRATEGIES and they were incredible. They give the best strategies for these often casino-friendly games. Scoblete shows you how to reduce the house edge and to take advantage of the casino comping system. This is a great tandem of books for gamblers interested in reading about the "other" casino games.

There are better books out there. The charts are hard to understand. Only get it if you are reading other books on Spanish 21

good info but the same info is available for free on [...] this is a good book for the beginner but there is no real subtle play for the more advanced player.

Scoblete's Armada book, though dated (1998), is a good introductory book for Spanish 21. Fred Renzey, author of Blackjack Bluebook, provided assistance with analysis of Spanish 21 for this book.

Chapter 1 provides a short historical overview of King Philip II of Spain's armada fleet, and a comparison to modern casino games such as casino war that haven't fared much better. Enter Spanish 21, a game that provides only a slight edge to the casino for skilled players, a large edge given up by poor players, and held to be immune to card counting. After a brief review of the history of the game itself, there is a comparision of Spanish 21 to blackjack.

Chapter 2 reviews the rules and procedures of the game (about 5 pages). Chapter 3 provides basic strategy for the dealer hits soft 17, no double down version with a strategy chart on one page. There are now two other common versions of the game, dealer stands on soft 17 and also dealer hits soft 17 with double down option. The basic strategy charts for these can be found online at WizardOfOdds.

Chapter 4 provides a statistical analysis of the game including chances of a dealer busting for various upcards (taken from Lenny Frome's classic booklet Expert Strategy for Spanish 21) and the frequency of bonus hands. The frequency of the super bonus (1 in 668,382, with six decks) is not mentioned.

Chapter 5 outlines application of the Hi-Lo count to Spanish 21 though Scoblete states that the advantage to the player is minimal.

Chapters 6 and 7 review strategies for reducing your loss rate, such as playing at full tables and taking breaks, while still getting comped for a higher perceived loss rate, useful for play at casinos that comp.

In Chapters 8 and 9, Scoblete discusses some money management strategies, a cautionary tale against going on tilt, and some random advise. In Chapter 10, he compares a gambler's dopamine boost to a runner's high, albeit the competition is against the "Olympian gods of fate". Then a glossary of terms and a list of recommended authors.

This book contains the basic strategy for this new game and a method for counting cards. It is a very good book and I recommend it to anyone who wants to play this new casino game. The writer is very good.