Another game that fully falls into the category “typically Italian card games” is undoubtedly the seven and a half . Widespread for decades within the peninsula, it owes its fortune to the custom to which it has lent itself to being played in a particular way during the Christmas period within families .
For those who don’t know it, let’s go and see the rules!
Regulation of the seven and a half
To play seven and a half you need a deck of forty Neapolitan cards .
The object of the game is to achieve the highest possible score , and with the least number of cards, without ever exceeding seven and a half. The dealer must try to match or exceed the scores of as many players as possible without going bust . A symbolic ” payout ” term for losing hands will also have to be agreed upon in favor of the winners. Even a few cents are fine (especially if you are in the family!).
Regarding the values of the cards, it is important to remember that: all face cards are worth ½ point, while all other cards are worth their face value (for example, the Ace is worth 1, the Two is worth 2, and so on). The “matta”, that is the King of Danari, can assume, at the will of the player who receives it, a whole value or ½ point.
Course of the game
- The dealer, who can be nominated at random, deals each player a face down card;
2. The player sitting to the right of the dealer begins, who after seeing his card has two possibilities:
• he can ask for another card, saying the word ” card“: in this case, the dealer will give him another card , which this time will be discovered. At this point the player can decide whether to stop (in jargon, ” stay“) or ask for another card. Whether he calls or stands, the player must wager an amount that corresponds to the bet he makes on his hand.
If the sum exceeds the value of seven and a half it means that he has busted and loses the amount bet after the first card.
• can decide to stop by saying the word ” I’m “: in this case the turn passes to the next player. - Whoever rolls a seven and a half must say it instantly, showing the cards to all players.
4. When the turn comes to the dealer – the rules are the same, the only difference is during the distribution of the cards as that of the dealer must be uncovered so that it is visible to all: when the dealer “stands” or goes bust, the hand ends and each player must revealtheir cards. Then the values of all the cards are added up and the various scores are compared with that of the dealer:
• whoever has the highest score wins,
• collects whoever exceeds the dealer in terms of points,
• pays who gets busted.
Finally, if the seven and a half is made with only two cards, it is defined as a real seven and a half or a legitimate seven and a half : whoever makes this score will receive from the dealer a sum equal to double the stake. In addition, in the next game he will be the dealer.
Payment phase
When a player goes bust, that is calling CARD! exceeds the value of 7 and ½, he must immediately pay his bet to the dealer. In fact, all the tokens arrive from the dealer and go to the dealer.
The actual payment phase takes place at the end of the hand, that is when all the players, including the dealer, have made their bet.
At this point the dealer, following the order of play, contacts each player who has not busted.
1. If the player has rolled a higher value the dealer pays him as much money as the stake.
2. If the player has rolled a lower value, or an equal value, the dealer collects the bet.
If the dealer busts he has to pay everyone who hasn’t busted the amount of their bet.
For example, assuming the dealer has rolled a 6 and ½, he will pay all 7 and 7 and ½ and will be paid by everyone else.
Tips and tricks for seven and a half
First fundamental advice (which more than a suggestion is a categorical imperative): you must NEVER get high . Better to risk keeping a low score and if anything lose with that.
When you are not holding the dealer, in a way that vaguely resembles basic blackjack strategy , there are a few things to do based on the card you are dealt:
• Figure : Bet high enough and hit. If you receive another figure please ask again. If a card above 5 arrives, it is better to stay.
• Ace : Bet low enough and hit. Then evaluate, if it happens Two or less it can still be called otherwise it is better to stay.
•Two : Bet low and hit.
• Three : Bet low and hit, if you are playing last or close to and the others have got good scores it might be better to stay and hope the dealer will bust.
• Four : Aim low and stand.
• Five : Aim low and stay, especially if other players have good scores.
• Six : Aim high enough and stand, if others have scored well you can also aim and stand.
• Seven : It is the best case, it is better to bet the maximum and stay.
When you hold the bank and are dealers, however, the reasoning to be done is different:
in fact, having much more information, you can decide the calling strategy. In fact, the dealer will know how many high cards have already been dealt, how many figures, and based on his own personal balance from time to time he can decide whether to stop and maybe lose with one or two players but maybe win with everyone else!
