Takes an Eye

In casinos and gaming halls, you will more often encounter the original version of this game called Blackjack. In both cases, the players’ goal is to get as close to a total of 21 points with their cards without exceeding that limit. However, the rules differ between the variants, so it is not appropriate to interchange Blackjack and Takes an Eye. Once you understand the rules of one game, you can easily adapt and orient yourself in the other as well.

Popular card games

History of the game Takes an Eye

The roots of the game trace back to France in the early 18th century, where it was known as Vint-et-un. From there, it spread to neighboring countries and gradually to the whole world. In casinos and online casinos, it became established under the name Blackjack. Historical records indicate that it reached the Czech lands around the second half of the 18th century, referred to as Oko or Gespenst. Takes an Eye, or Twenty one, is distinguished from other variants primarily by the method of counting the values of individual cards.

How to play Takes an Eye

The game typically uses mariáš cards known as pikety. Before the game begins, it is necessary to determine who will act as the banker. Players can agree among themselves or draw a card from the deck. The banker is then the one with the highest card value. At this point, players usually agree on a minimum amount to establish the bank. In the next step, the banker deals one card to each player, including themselves. The player sitting to their right or left starts by placing their bet in front of them and asking for another card. The banker matches the bet from the bank. In the case of a win, the payout ratio is 1:1. Players can bet up to the amount of the bank and can increase their original bet at any time before receiving another card from the deck. Their goal is to achieve a total value of 21 points or get as close to this limit as possible without exceeding it. A player can stop at any time by announcing dost/stop/dobrý. If they exceed the limit of 21 points, they automatically lose and forfeit their money.

Evaluation of the game results

The banker serves all players at the table in turn and ends the round by taking another card for themselves. Three situations may arise during the game:

• The sum of the banker’s cards is exactly 21: This total is commonly referred to as Eye or Royal Eye – In this case, the banker wins all bets, even if other players have also reached this total.
• The banker busts over 21 points: At this moment, they lose and pay all players from the bank who did not exceed this limit, at the amount of their individual bets.
• The sum of the banker’s cards is less than 21: When the banker decides not to take another card and their total is less than 21 points, they announce to the other players what number they are taking. This is always one higher than the total they have achieved. If the banker’s cards total 17 points, they announce: “Eighteen takes!” The banker wins if none of the players have this value or higher. If the values of the players’ and banker’s cards are equal, the banker always wins.

Where to play Takes an Eye

In casinos and gaming halls, you will most often encounter the card game Blackjack, which is similar to Takes an Eye or Twenty one. These are usually played in pubs, clubs, or among friends. However, if you are interested, you can also play Takes an Eye or Twenty one online. In most cases, these games can only be played on the internet for fun without the option to bet real money.

Try your luck at online casinos

	22BET casino Welcome bonus: 100% bonus up to €288	Play now 22BET casino review
	20BET casino Welcome bonus: 100% bonus up to €120 + 120 FS	Play now 20BET casino review
	SGcasino Welcome bonus: 100% bonus up to €500 + 200 FS	Play now SGcasino review
	Sportaza casino Welcome bonus: 100% bonus up to €500 + 200 FS	Play now Sportaza casino review
	MostBet casino Welcome bonus: 150% bonus on the first deposit up to €420 + 200 FS	Play now MostBet casino review

Card counting method

Unlike Blackjack, the variable card in the game Eye bere or Twenty one is the Heart Seven. Depending on their needs, a player can count its value as 1, 7, 10, or 11 points. Cards with numbers 7, 8, 9, 10 have the value displayed on them. Ace is always counted as 11 points, and face cards represent only 1 point (however, there are game variants where “J” and “Q” represent 1 point, while “K” represents 2 points or “J” 1 point, “Q” 2 points, and “K” 3 points).

• Detailed information on card counting

Special rules of the game Takes an Eye

Certain exceptions in the game and rule adjustments are designed to increase players’ chances of achieving Eye:

• Two Aces: This combination is called Royal Eye, and the player holding it immediately wins.
• First card 7: If a player or banker receives a seven as their first card, they show it to the banker (the banker shows it to the other players) and can receive a new first card. If its value is again 7, they can exchange it again.
• Card 8 after card 7: If the exchanged card for the first seven is a card with a value of 8, the player can exchange it again and receive a new first card.
• Five face cards: If any player, including the banker, receives only face cards as their first five cards, they can exchange all of them for a new first card.
• Sum of 15 points: If a player or banker manages to achieve a total of 15 points with their first pair of cards, they can exchange the cards for a new first card, as it is very difficult to achieve Eye in such a case.

Battle for the bank

All players’ lost bets go into the bank. Its total value can multiply several times during the game. However, the money in the bank does not belong to the banker; they must play the so-called “small home” to win it. However, a player who breaks the bank can precede them.

Breaking the bank

This occurs when any player takes all the money from the bank. This happens when they win all-in or win the last amount, meaning they are paid out from the last money in the bank. That player then becomes the banker and the game continues. If they do not want this role, they can pass it to someone else or proceed to a new draw.

Small home

If the banker decides that the bank is large enough and wants to win the money themselves, they announce to the other players that they are going to play small home. The game then continues in the same way until the first banker’s card is the heart king or any eight.

• When the banker gets the heart king: At this moment, the game for everyone immediately ends. The ongoing round is not played out, and the entire bank goes to the banker.
• When the banker gets an eight: They announce to the other players that they have an eight and the last round begins.

If the banker gets an eight, they have a very small chance of achieving a high total or directly Eye. It is a big risk for them that can bring them a win or a loss. However, if they receive a seven as their second card, achieving a total of 15 points, they can exchange both cards and receive a new first card. Only in the case of the heart seven can they continue and count on its one-point value. Players can take advantage of the banker’s disadvantage to try to get their money back from the bank. If the banker wins, the game ends, and a new banker is chosen (again by agreement or drawing).

The movie Takes an Eye

You may know the phrase “Takes an Eye” from the 2008 film. This American film is based on the true story of a group of poor students who created a so-called Blackjack team in the 90s. They cheated many casinos in Las Vegas. Even the casinos that were harmed contributed to the film’s production to partially recover their losses. You might wonder how they did it? They were students from prestigious schools with exceptional mathematical skills and created their own card counting system, which they then used at the tables.

Frequently asked questions

---