Live Sette e Mezzo by Playtech

Playtech is without a doubt one of the most well known gaming software providers. So any game that is released by them has to be high quality and Live Sette e Mezzo is no different!

Sette e Mezzo which is also known as Italian Blackjack is one of the most recent live dealer games by Playtech and it is not your classic live dealer game.

Game History

Sette e Mezzo holds a special place in the heart of Italian culture. Historically, it dates back to the 17th century, making it one of the oldest known card games still widely played today. Invented by the Italians, it quickly gained popularity across the Mediterranean country, especially during the festive season, becoming a traditional game played during Christmas. Its unique blend of skill and luck have made it a firm favourite, earning it the nickname of “Italian Blackjack”.

What kind of game is Live Sette e Mezzo

Sette e Mezzo is one of the most popular card games in Italy. The name of the game translates Seven and a Half in English (because the aim is to get to seven and a half without busting) and is also known as Italian Blackjack in the gambling industry.

The game has similarities to blackjack and baccarat. It is a card game that has elements from both these classic casino games. So if you like these two card games you will definitely like Sette e Mezzo.

How to Play Sette e Mezzo

Lets have a look at how you can play this game!

The cards deck

Before we go through the steps of how to play this game we need to clarify that this game is played with just one 40 card deck. This is not your traditional card deck and the cards are different to the standard cards we find in other card games. Also 8s, 9s and 10s are removed from the deck.

Sette e Mezzo is played with Neapolitan cards, a deck of 40 cards with 4 suits. Clubs, Swords, Coins and Cups.

Each of the suits has Aces, cards from 2 to 7, and picture cards called Jack, Cavalier and King. So if you are playing this game for the first time it might be wise to get familiar with these cards and their values

Card Values

Ace is valued as 1, cards from 2 to 7 have the same face values. Jacks, Cavaliers and Kings value is a half. The only exception is the King of Coins which is a Wild card.

How to play Sette e Mezzo Step by Step

• Place your main bet and any side bets if you want.
• The dealer deals two cards face up: One to you and one to the dealer
• You will receive additional cards automatically if:
  • The King of Coins is your first card – you get one card
  • The King of Coins is the dealer’s first card – you get one or more cards automatically until your score is 7 or more;
  • Your score is lower than the dealer’s – you get one or more cards automatically until your score equals the dealer’s score or exceeds it;
  • The Dealer’s first card is worth 5 points and your score ties – you will then receive one card automatically.
• The actual game round starts when you have 7 points or less, but your score is equal to the dealer’s score or exceeds it. You have the option to Hit or Stand.
• After you make your choice the live dealer draws additional cards. Dealer stands on a total of 5 or more points.
• Hand totals are compared, and you win if you have a better hand compared to the dealer’s hand.

The theoretical percentage return to player (RTP) for Live Sette e Mezzo is 99.31% on the main game.

Side Bets

As we have already mentioned this game has 2 side bets. These are classic blackjack side bets that you can find in many other live dealer games just with a different name.

Partita Perfetta

This is the classic Perfect Pairs (PP) side bet. You can bet that your first card and the dealer’s first card form a pair.

Mano di Poker

This is one is another blackjack classic side bet known as 21+3. You can bet that your first two cards and the dealer’s first card make a three-card poker hand.

Sette e Mezzo Strategies

Sette e Mezzo is a game of strategy as much as it is a game of chance. Here are a few tips to help you gain an edge over the dealer:

• Understand the Card Values: The unique scoring system, where face cards have a value of 0.5 and the King o Coins acts as a wildcard, can significantly influence your strategy. The correct use of the King of Coins can turn the game in your favour.
• Keep Track of the Cards: Since Sette e Mezzo is played with only one deck, try to remember which cards have been dealt. This can help you make an informed guess about the cards left in the deck and adjust your strategy accordingly.
• Know When to Stand: Just like in Blackjack, knowing when to take a stand can be the difference between winning or going bust. If you have a total close to 7.5, it’s generally safer to stand.

Comparing Sette e Mezzo with Blackjack and Baccarat

While Sette e Mezzo bears a resemblance to games like Blackjack and Baccarat, there are key differences that make it stand out.

In comparison to Blackjack, Sette e Mezzo’s aim is to reach a score of 7.5 as opposed to 21. The unique deck of 40 Neapolitan cards also adds a fresh twist, making the game an intriguing variant of traditional card games.

Unlike Baccarat, which involves no decision-making during gameplay, Sette e Mezzo allows players to choose whether to ‘hit’ or ‘stand’, adding a layer of strategy that can make each round both thrilling and engaging.

The game’s unique rules and its combination of luck and strategy makes Sette e Mezzo a truly distinctive and enjoyable card game

Where you can play Sette e Mezzo

FAQs

Yannis G

My name is Yannis and I am also known as Mr Live Casinos in the iGaming industry. I have been playing casino games for more than 20 years and I have been reviewing and writting about casino games and online casinos for the last 10 years