Zappit Blackjack – Rules and Strategy

If you’ve ever wanted a ‘do-over’ when playing blackjack online, then zappit blackjack is the game for you! Developed by Geoff Hall, this blackjack variant allows players to swap out, or ‘zapp’, their hand and replace it with two new cards!

In our expert guide to zappit blackjack online, you can learn where to play and expert zappit blackjack strategies. 

Where to Play Zappit Blackjack Online

If you’re looking for the best USA online casinos to play zappit blackjack online, here are our top recommendations for legal online gambling sites:

Zappit Blackjack Rules

If you’re already familiar with online blackjack, then zappit blackjack rules will seem fairly familiar. The goal in this variation of live dealer blackjack, as always, is to have a hand with a value of as close to 21 as possible. In order to win, you need to either have a hand with an exact value of 21, known as ‘blackjack’, or have a hand with a higher value than that of the dealer but with a value not exceeding 21.

Zappit blackjack differs from standard blackjack due to the ‘zappit’ feature. If your hand has a value between 15 and 18 (depending on the casino’s rules), then the player may elect to ‘zappit’ and swap out their hand for two new, random cards. This feature makes zappit blackjack much more exciting than standard blackjack as you can take a chance and try to go for the win!

The other principle rule difference in zappit is the ‘Push on Dealer 22’ rule. This means that if the dealer busts out on 22, then all bets left standing on the table will be considered a push, a draw, and the wagers will be returned to the players. This rule is obviously more generous to the house, but at least the wagers are returned to the players in this instance.

How to Play Zappit Blackjack

For the most part, a round of zappit blackjack plays out in a similar way to a standard round of blackjack. The main change is the option to ‘zappit’ and exchange your hand if its value is between 15 and 18.

A standard round of zappit blackjack online would look like this:

• First, you would place your bets
• The dealer then deals two cards to the player and to themselves, one face up and one face down
• The player has several options depending on their hand:
  • Hit – If your hand is less than 21 and you believe that an additional card could help you win
  • Stand – Do nothing as you believe your hand will win
  • Double – You double your initial wager and receive an additional card, be careful not to bust!
  • Split – If your hand has a pair (two cards of the same value), you can split the hand into two separate hands after doubling your wager. You will receive two new cards, one for each hand
  • Surrender – If you really dislike your hand, you can cede the round. You’ll receive half your wager back
  • Zappit – If your hand has a value between 15 and 18, you can swap out your hand for two new cards
• Players can win a round of zappit blackjack either by having a hand with an exact value of 21, known as blackjack, or by having a hand with a higher value than that of the dealer but less than 22
• The dealer will win if they have blackjack or if their hand has a higher value than the player’s. If the dealer busts out on 22, player bets are a push and their wagers will be returned.

Zappit Blackjack Tips

Many of the best blackjack tips also work for zappit blackjack, so bear these tips in mind when playing at online gambling sites:

Play Free Games First

Before playing online casino games for real money, we suggest you play some free games first. This allows players to learn the rules, try out some strategies, and see if you enjoy the game before risking your hard earned cash.

As a live dealer casino game, you won’t often find free versions of zappit blackjack. But standard blackjack will help you learn the ropes.

Never Play for Less Than 3:2

The payouts for a blackjack will vary, but we recommend you look for tables that offer 3:2 payouts rather than 5:6. Ultimately, 3:2 provides a much better payout to players.

Remember, the payout on a blackjack after a zappit is 1:1.

Use a Blackjack Strategy Table

A strategy table can help guide players on what to do depending on their hand and that of the dealer.

When playing at a real money online casino, you should you use a strategy table to help ensure you always make the best decision in a given situation.

Zappit Blackjack Odds and Payouts

Although the zappit feature adds excitement to the game, the dealer push on 22 rule affects the house edge of zappit blackjack to the disadvantage of the player. The house edge here is 1.15%, which is much higher than other blackjack variants (blackjack switch online, for instance, has a house edge of only 0.14%!).

The payouts will vary depending on whether you play at an online casino or at a land-based casino, such as Las Vegas casinos. Generally speaking, online casinos offer better payouts than their land-based counterparts.

Remember: the payout for a blackjack is only 1:1 after you zappit. So consider whether it really is worth ‘zapping it’, as there is not a significant payout incentive in doing so.

Here is a simple table which lays out the payouts you can generally expect at online and land-based casinos when playing zappit blackjack:

Zappit Blackjack Stategy

A solid blackjack strategy is key to being successful at zappit blackjack. Here are some pro strategies you can utilize when playing zappit blackjack online:

Never Take Insurance

If the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace, the insurance side bet will be offered to players. This pays out in the event that the dealer has blackjack.

The house edge on this side bet is 3%, so we heavily recommend that you do not take insurance when offered.

Don't Be Afraid to Zappit

The zappit feature can be the difference between winning and losing. Don’t be afraid to use it, especially as it doesn’t require an additional wager!

We recommend ‘zapping it’ when your hand has a value of 15, 16, or 17. Don’t zappit on 18.

Manage Your Bankroll

Utilizing a casino bankroll management strategy is vital to enjoying the zappit blackjack experience. You can manage your bets to ensure you can play for as long as you want and avoid major losses.

Remember to utilize a casino bonus, such as a no deposit bonus, to maximize your bankroll.

Zappit Blackjack FAQs