Betfair Exchange Blackjack: An Overview

The classic game of blackjack is so simple to play. It's been that way for hundreds of years with the format basically unchanged. That is until Betfair, the world's leading betting exchange, introduced a new twist with their own version. Now, thanks to Betfair, you can enjoy playing blackjack with a slightly different approach and be able to back a hand to win or to be beaten. That might sound confusing so here is an overview of Exchange Blackjack.
It is played with an infinite deck so the shoe goes on forever. Unlike traditional blackjack there is no splitting and there is no double-down or surrender. Four new types of bet are available, these mean you can bet on the dealer winning or tying with all four players, there is a five card trick (known as a five card Charlie), all cards are unique in terms of both suit and value and only one hand values exactly twenty-one points.
Each game runs to the same sequence. There are four player hands plus the dealer. He cards are dealt face down at which point the first round of betting starts and you can bet on any outcome based on the available odds and the amount of money available on each hand.
At the conclusion of the first round of betting all players cards are turned face up plus the first dealer card which triggers the second round of betting. Here further cards may be drawn based on the unique customised player logic. If at this stage any hand busts then any winning bets are settled immediately and a third round of betting starts if any hands are left in play.
The third round of betting sees the dealer's second card turned face up. The dealer must stand is he has a soft seventeen or more. If the dealer has to stand or has to draw cards and busts or it results in the dealer's hand beating any remaining player hands then that ends the game and all winning bets are settled immediately.
As you can see from this overview, Betfair Exchange Blackjack offers the player a different experience to traditional blackjack. There are more options and strategies introduced. The unique player logic means things happens to what can be deemed as a pre-set way. The infinite deck approach means attempting card counting is not an issue - you don't need even to go there and if you win your bet before the hand is fully played out then you are settled at that point.
Further, you are betting that a hand (or hands) will win or lose. In Exchange Blackjack there is the choice for you to bet that a particular hand will not win (to lay the hand). However beware if you get in to that territory as for example if a hand is say 5/2 and you back it to be beaten then you stand to lose two and a half times your stake whereas if you back the same hand to win at 5/2 then you are risking twenty units of your own money to win fifty if the bet is successful.
If you do play exchange blackjack and get in to the laying side I strongly suggest you familiarise yourself with the different liabilities you will be potentially opening yourself up to. Or just stick to traditional backing. The choice is yours - though that choice is not available in traditional blackjack. Watch a few hands first to get the hang of how the game flows and you can soon pick it up and have a completely different gaming experience.