Introduction
Blazing 7s by Scientific Games is an exciting blackjack side bet that gives players the chance to win big payouts based on getting dealt 7s in their hand.
Offered by many casinos, both online and land-based, the Blazing 7s side bet adds an extra dimension to the classic game of 21.
Blazing 7s Blackjack Rules
To play, you place an additional wager in the designated betting spot separate from your main blackjack bet. Payouts are determined by how many 7s you get in your first two cards, first three cards, or first two cards plus the dealer’s upcard, depending on the version.
There are two main versions of the Blazing 7s rules:
First Option
Payouts are based on the player’s first three cards. Payouts for one or two 7s use only the first two cards. If the player hits, the next card counts as the third. If the player splits, the first card of the first-hand counts as the third.
Second Option
Payouts use the player’s first two cards plus the dealer’s upcard. Payouts for one or two 7s use the player’s cards only.
There are also two common pay tables. Pay Table 1 offers a bigger jackpot for three suited 7s, while Pay Table 2 reserves the big jackpot for three 7s specifically in diamonds.
Payouts and Odds
The payouts for Blazing 7s offer the chance for some hefty prizes. The odds get longer as the number of 7s increases. Here are sample payouts and probabilities:
Pay Table 1
| Hand | Payout | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Any 7 | 2:1 | 14.2% |
| Any Two 7s | 25:1 | 0.005% |
| Three 7s (any) | 200:1 | 0.0003% |
| Three 7s (same color) | 500:1 | 0.000068% |
| Three Suited 7s | 100% of Jackpot | 0.000015% |
Pay Table 2
| Hand | Payout | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Any 7 | 2:1 | 14.2% |
| Any Two 7s | 25:1 | 0.005% |
| Three 7s (any) | 200:1 | 0.0003% |
| Three 7s (same color) | 500:1 | 0.000068% |
| Three Suited 7s | 10% of Jackpot | 0.000015% |
| Three 7s in Diamonds | 100% Jackpot | 0.000004% |
As you can see, the chances of hitting three suited or diamond (♦) 7s is very small, but leads to a big jackpot payday. Even landing two or three 7s of any kind offers nice payouts versus the standard 1:1 blackjack payouts.
Progressive Jackpot
Many Blazing 7s games feature a progressive jackpot that seeds at $10,000 and continues growing until someone hits the top prize by getting three suited 7s or 7s of diamonds. The meter is fed by a portion of each played side bet.
With multiple players making the side wager, the jackpot can climb quickly into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Hitting the right 7s combination means taking down a life-changing pile of cash!
Blazing 7s Strategy – How to Play it
Statistically, all blackjack side bets increase the house edge overall compared to just playing basic strategy. However, Blazing 7s gives recreational players the chance for a major bonus win for a small investment.
For those looking to maximize potential payouts, here are some strategic tips:
- Bet more on the side bet when the jackpot is higher
- Bet the maximum on Blazing 7s when the jackpot is over $250,000
- Make larger side bets when the remaining decks are rich in 7s
- Adjust your bet spread to capitalize on shuffle tracking
While Blazing 7s is ultimately a game of chance, paying attention to key factors like deck composition and jackpot size can help optimize your payouts when you do hit a nice hand. Just don’t make the side bet so large it impacts your blackjack betting and strategy.
In the end, this side wager adds an entertaining chance for blackjack players to potentially win big prizes for getting dealt lucky 7s. Just don’t let the side bet distract you from playing your main hand right!
