The blackjack game Blackjack 7 has myriad variants, such as Irish Switch, English Blackjack, Switch, Jack Changes, and Two Four Jacks, but British blackjack is what it is commonly referred to by players.
While there are an increasing number of land-based casinos offering this game, you can also play this blackjack game at live casinos, and try out table games like free bet blackjack. Or you can do so at a first-person table where computer algorithms deal and pay out wins unlike land-based casinos where a dealer pays the winner of a given game.
However, it’s worth pointing out that English blackjack rules contrast greatly with the original classic casino game blackjack, as the aim here is to get rid of all seven cards as opposed to trying to hit 21.
Played with a single deck of 52 cards, and without a joker, this very popular game sees a player trying to match the same value of cards that have been played earlier.
The card game typically starts to the left of the dealer, and moves around clockwise, and the object of the game is that whoever discards their cards quickest will win.
You should also be careful when you draw cards, especially if you don’t have a card that matches the same suit of the original card played.
However, in English blackjack, players can choose to play with a run of cards, and there will be card matches in the sequence.
We have outlined the Blackjack 7 cards rules and regulations in more detail further down this page.
CARD VALUES IN BRITISH BLACKJACK
The card values in this blackjack game will have different meanings, however, we have described what some of them mean below:
2 – If a player plays with a 2, then the following player must pick up the same number of cards (2) or put another 2 down.
The player after that will need to pick up 4 cards unless they have 2. The cycle continues when a player misses, as they will need to collect two cards.
Jack – When you play a black jack, the next player will be required to pick up 5 cards, unless they of course, have a black jack.
If the second player also drops a black jack, the third player will need to pick up 10 cards. Red jacks can neutralise the power of a black jack, so players don’t have to collect more cards.
10 – The ten value card will reverse the direction of the game. If the first card played is a 7, the player on the right will supersede the player on the left.
The rotation will continue in that direction until a player plays a 10.
8 – A player misses a turn after drawing an 8, and the player after them goes.
Ace – If you happen to drop an ace, then you can dictate the card suit you want to follow.
Remember, you can’t neutralise a two or a red jack, as a red jack cancels out most card values.
BRITISH BLACKJACK CARD GAME RULES
At this point, you may be wondering what the blackjack card game rules are for Blackjack 7. As mentioned, the game starts when the first player plays left to where the dealer deals.
Players will then take cards from their hands or draw cards from the deck, and the turn then switches to another player once a player has withdrawn a card.
But unlike at other blackjack tables, the aim isn’t to hit 21. Whoever gets rid of their cards first will win, and English blackjack is arguably a more novel way of playing blackjack.
One of the intriguing concepts behind the blackjack rules of English blackjack, is that a player can play a card or put down a run of cards.
You will want to free all the cards, but players will want to finish the numbers of normal cards available to bolster their chances of getting money back from their original wager.
WHAT ARE DRAW CARDS IN BRITISH BLACKJACK?
The blackjack rule variations for English blackjack are quite varied, however, the draw or drawing cards are used by players returning to the game after an enforced absence. They can also be viewed as action cards.
Among the draw cards involved, include any jacks on twos, where you can play any jack on any 2 and vice versa.
Jacks on twos of the suited variety come into play, as does the joker. With the Joker, you can add jokers to the deck, and the player can decide what number they are.
Or, with a Queen, any card of the same suit can be used to play on a Queen.
WHAT ARE POWER CARDS IN BRITISH BLACKJACK?
The power cards in this version of blackjack fall into another one of those peculiar categories, but it makes the game so appealing. We have listed the power cards below in bullet list form:
- 2 – Once a player draws a 2, then the next player will have to draw two cards. There is no expectancy or compulsion for a player to discard two cards here.
- 8 – If a player plays an 8, then the next player skips his turn comes. More than one eight cards doesn’t affect the blackjack rules. This is also known as crazy eights.
- 10 – Play is reversed here until a player plays a 10.
- Red Jack – The red jack cancels out blackjack. So, if a player drew a red jack after a blackjack was previously played, then he won’t need to take five cards from the deck.
- Ace – With this power card, the Ace can be played in any suit on the table, and the player will choose the suit of the power card.
- Black Queen – If a Black Queen is played, then that player will have to exchange his cards with the next player. Players will prefer to use the Black Queen if the next player is holding fewer cards.
HOW DOES THE DEALER DEALS THE CARDS IN BRITISH BLACKJACK?
The dealer deals seven cards to a player, including him or herself, and then they will place the remainder of the pack face down in the middle of the table.
After that, the dealer’s hand will feature the first original face down card, and when playing blackjack, the action will start to the left of the dealer.
BEST BLACKJACK 7-CARD TIPS
If you are new to English blackjack, it is imperative to have a firm grasp of the basic rules before you throw yourself into a game. However, if you know the basic rules, and are a bit more experienced, then the following tips will stand you in good stead moving forward.
- Don’t take side bets – A side bet will boost the house edge for a casino. The house edge won’t do you any favours when it comes to getting the most from your side bet, so focus more on perfecting and honing in on your game technique.
- Keep running total of cards – Although counting cards can sometimes be frowned upon in blackjack, it’s not illegal. The same principle applies to making a note of the number of cards played or withdrawn. While far from a basic blackjack strategy, if you can keep track of the different plays, then you will be able to approach games with more confidence.
- Take advantage of red jacks – The red jack, as we have seen, is a power card within the game, and if you can capitalise on this, then you can beat the dealer and take out a few other players in the process. Naturally, you will want to beat the dealer from the first card you play, but remember, blackjack is usually a game of low swings.
- Be aware of betting limits – Whatever blackjack variants you are used to, there will usually be betting limits enforced by the casino. With Blackjack 7s, you need to make a bet equal to that of the next player, and you will need to match the face up card played by the previous player. As with anything, play within your bankroll and don’t exceed your desired maximum bet amount, otherwise, you could incur serious losses down the line.
LIST OF BLACKJACK GAMES 7 CARDS
Blackjack 7s has an abundance of cards, which as we have seen, can be split into action cards, as well as power cards. Let’s remind ourselves of all the types of cards, including dealer’s cards that can be drawn from the deck.
- 2s
- 7
- 8
- 10
- Ace or aces of other suits
- Jack, including Black Jack
- Queen, including the Black Queen
CONCLUSION
While it might seem that this version of blackjack is laden with tons of rules, it isn’t as complicated as you may think. At the core of it, you need to use your face up card well, and eclipse whatever the previous player has put down. You will need to match the original wager of what has been bet on the table, but you just have to get rid of your cards as quickly as possible.
We have tried to illustrate the process of what happens when the dealer stands during a game, but more importantly, we have described how the power cards can be your saving grace, especially when watching participant attempts to show a 2 or 3 for example during a round.
Blackjack 7 cards is growing in popularity, and we have several live games stocked in our catalogue for you to whet your appetite. We suggest you give them a whirl today and master your technique. You never know, you may come to love it over time.
⭐ Can I play blackjack 7 card at EnergyCasino?
Yes, you can. There are a few titles at EnergyCasino, and you will find a demo mode for each game, so you can have a play around first before you compete for real money. They will mainly be live titles that will be quite immersive and use high quality graphics to capture the atmosphere of playing at a land-based casino from the comfort of your own home. As such, playing online provides many benefits and it can be more enjoyable.
⭐ How many players can play blackjack 7 card?
There is no limit per se, however, it's not a game for only one person. Usually, you will need at least four players, and the action will start from the left and move clockwise. The more players the better as the action can reach a thrilling climax, however, at the same token, players can sometimes reach an impasse when trying to hit the same number with a card, which in turn, can be frustrating. It is rare to see casinos allow more than seven players at any one time for a game.
⭐ Are the rules for blackjack 7 card easy to understand?
In short, yes. While the dealer plays differently from the original 21 version of this game, once you understand the value of the action and power cards, you can have fun playing it. This game is open to anyone, however, we suggest you learn the rules first before diving straight in at the deep end.
⭐ When does the turn go to the next player?
Once the top card of the discarded pile is turned face up to kickstart the action by the dealer, the play will start from the left, and then switch once a player matches the rank or suit of the card put down by the previous player. Picking up certain cards, however, such as an 8 will see a player skip a turn unless they have an 8 to put down, while a 10 will reverse the order of play, until a player picks up said card.
⭐ Can you bluff in British blackjack?
It is quite difficult to induce a bluff, as you need to have the same number of cards as the other players on the table. However, a player loses more than not by not using their cards wisely or discarding them in a scattered fashion.