Released a few years ago, Frankie Dettori’s Magic Seven Blackjack is one of the most popular titles in Playtech’s line of slots and casino games inspired by the legendary jockey Frankie Dettori. After launching several Dettori-themed slots, the company decided to create a virtual blackjack game with an engaging horse-racing theme and a massive jackpot of 7,777 times the stake.
The game is played with 6 decks of cards and under the standard American blackjack rules. It uses a typical hole card, meaning the dealer’s second card is face down and hidden from the player. If it is an Ace or a 10-value card, the dealer peeks for blackjack. In addition, the dealer always draws to 16 and must stand on all 17s (including soft 17s).
The aim is, of course, to beat the dealer by getting a hand that is as close to 21 as possible without busting. This blackjack variation allows players to bet on up to three hands simultaneously, but more importantly, it introduces several special payouts, including a jackpot of 7,777 times the bet size. However, these special payouts are unlocked only after placing a side bet.
| Frankie Dettori’s Magic Seven Blackjack Summary | |
|---|---|
| Software Provider | Playtech |
| Number of Decks | 6 |
| RTP | 98.49%–99.58% |
| Min Bet | $0.01 |
| Max Bet | $10,000 |
| Blackjack Payout | 3:2 |
| Dealer Stand | All 17s |
| Exposure | 1 Exposed/1 Hidden |
| Surrender | No |
| Jackpot | 7,777x bet |
Allowed Moves in Frankie Dettori’s Magic Seven Blackjack
Players can play with 1, 2, or 3 hands against the dealer, placing bets of the same size on each hand. After they have been dealt the initial two cards, they have several options: Hit, to take another card; Stand, to refuse more cards; and Double, which doubles their bet if they believe they have a good chance of winning. Players can double on any two cards, including after a split. When they click the Double button, a third and final card is dealt to them. It is also important to know that when the Double option is chosen, both the base and the side bets are doubled.
When the two initial cards have the same value, players can choose to split them using the Split button. If they do, they will receive an additional card for each of the new hands. However, only 1 split per round is allowed, and only 1 card can be dealt to split Aces. When a split hand contains an Ace and a 10-value card, it is counted as 21, not blackjack.
Another option for players appears when the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace. They are given the chance to cut their losses in half in case the dealer has blackjack. The Insurance button allows players to place an independent side bet equal to exactly half of their original bet. The Insurance bet wins if the dealer gets blackjack and pays 2:1. It loses in all other instances.
Specific Features of Frankie Dettori’s Magic Seven Blackjack
Playtech’s Frankie Dettori’s Magic Seven Blackjack is a fast-paced, nicely designed variation of traditional blackjack, but it comes with one distinctive feature: a wide range of special payouts. They work in a simple, straightforward way. When the player places the Magic Seven side bet, which is equal to the original bet, an additional game is unlocked and players start collecting Trophies to win a payout even if their original wager is not successful.
The Trophies may appear randomly in the top right corner of the cards that are dealt initially on the table, both on players’ cards and in the dealer’s hand. To win a payout, players need to collect at least 2 Trophies in a single round or in several consecutive rounds. Getting only 1 Trophy qualifies you for the next rounds but does not bring a payout. The number of Trophies can be easily tracked, as small Trophy icons displayed around the side-bet section on the table will light up.
Up to 7 Trophies can be collected and the more you have, the higher the payout. Remember that these trophies need to appear in consecutive rounds. If the initial cards in any following round show no trophies, the side-bet game ends and the respective payout is awarded to the player. The jackpot of 7,777 times the bet is granted when players collect 7 Trophies in only 2 consecutive rounds. Here are all of the special payouts for the Magic Seven side bet:
- 7 Trophies in 2 Rounds: 7,777 to 1
- 7 Trophies in a Row: 70 to 1
- 6 Trophies in a Row: 24 to 1
- 5 Trophies in a Row: 14 to 1
- 4 Trophies in a Row: 7 to 1
- 3 Trophies in a Row: 1 to 1
- 2 Trophies in a Row: Push
- 1 Trophy: Qualifies
In addition, the game features the so-called 10-Card Charlie rule, under which players who have 10 cards without busting automatically win. There is one exception: if the dealer has blackjack, the player loses.
Verdict
Overall, this is one of the most interesting blackjack variations available in online casinos. Players can choose the table limits before starting the game, allowing them to bet from $0.01 to $10,000 per round. The average expected return is 99.58%, but with the side bet and the various special payouts, the theoretical RTP for the Magic Seven side bet is 98.49%, which is actually quite high for a side bet.