British Blackjack is an exciting card game that offers an engaging twist. Although it shares a moniker with the traditional casino game, British Blackjack is an entity on its own, with its own unique rules.
Unlike the well-known game where players aim for a hand sum of 21, British Blackjack sees players striving to discard all their cards by matching the suit or rank of the previously played card. Let’s delve deeper into this fascinating game.
What Is British Blackjack?
British Blackjack, also known as the 7 Card Game, is a unique card game that can be played with a single deck of cards or more, depending on the number of players. Each player is dealt seven cards, with the remaining deck placed face-down; this constitutes the discard pile.
The primary objective of British Blackjack is to eliminate all the cards from your hand by matching the suit or rank of the last card played. It’s a game of quick thinking and strategy, where the first player to discard all their cards emerges victorious.
How To Play Blackjack With 7 Cards
The game of British Blackjack commences with the dealer’s left and proceeds in a clockwise direction. The top card of the discard pile is flipped face-up to kickstart the game. Players need to match the rank or suit of the last played card to place one on the discard pile. They can make as long a run as possible in their turn.
For instance, if the discard pile displays a 7 of hearts, a player could place a 7 of spades, followed by an 8 of spades, 8 of diamonds, and so on. Higher-value cards can only be placed if they match the suit. If a player is unable to continue the run, they must draw a card from the discard pile.
British Blackjack Card Game Rules
Certain cards in British Blackjack hold special meanings, adding an extra layer of excitement to the game.
- A ‘2’ Card: Playing a ‘2’ requires the next player to pick up 2 cards or play another ‘2’. The cycle continues until a player doesn’t have a ‘2’ to play, leading to them picking up the accumulated number of cards.
- Black Jack: Playing a black Jack causes the following player to pick up 5 cards unless they too have a black Jack, in which case the player after must pick up 10. If a red Jack is placed on a black Jack, it neutralises its power.
- A ’10’ Card: Playing a ’10’ changes the direction of the game. If the first card turned over is a ‘7’, the game starts from the player on the right instead of the left. The rotation continues until another ’10’ is put down.
- An ‘8’ Card: Playing an ‘8’ results in the next player missing their turn.
- Ace: Playing an Ace allows you to decide the suit to be followed. However, you can’t neutralise a ‘2’, Jack or an ‘8’ with an Ace.
What Is Stick & Twist In Blackjack?
In the traditional game of Blackjack, ‘stick’ and ‘twist’ are terms used to indicate the player’s decision to either retain their hand (‘stick’) or take another card (‘twist’). Essentially, they are other terms for Hit and Stand.
However, in British Blackjack, these terms are not applicable as the game revolves around eliminating cards rather than accumulating them to reach a certain value.
Play Blackjack Online
Though British Blackjack is an entertaining and strategic game, it’s not widely available to play online. Nevertheless, there are several online casinos that offer classic Blackjack and a myriad of other engaging casino games.
By creating an account, you can gain access to a wide variety of games, including table games and top slot games. The process is simple and quick, allowing you to begin your gaming journey in a matter of minutes. Be sure to choose an online casino that is fully licensed and regulated by the relevant governing body, such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), to ensure they are a trustworthy online casino.
As always, please gamble responsibly, set a budget and stick to it.
