UNITED STATES—Of all the card games you can play at online casinos, Blackjack is arguably the most played of them all. With origins dating back centuries, Blackjack has evolved from a brick-and-mortar card classic to a game that is now enjoyed digitally all over the world. But how did the game of 21 begin its journey, and how did we get to this point? It’s all discussed below!
Origins of Blackjack
Believe it or not, the origins of Blackjack can be traced back to the 18th century. Records indicate that this is where Blackjack first gained traction – mainly in the gambling halls of France. Back then, the game was referred to as ‘Vingt-et-Un’ – meaning twenty-one in French. It was played by everyone from aristocrats to commoners, and the objective of reaching 21 without surpassing this total was exactly the same as we see today!
That said, other versions like ‘Trente-et-Un’ (thirty-one in Spanish) also appear in literature that dates back centuries. Therefore, it’s fair to say that other cultures also influenced the rise of Blackjack, as confirmed by the appearance of the words Trente-et-Un in literature like Miguel de Cervantes.
Adoption in America
Fast forward to the 19th century, and Blackjack officially arrived on the shores of North America. Introduced by Spanish and French immigrants, the game soon gained a significant following. However, with a blanket ban on gambling in most of North America, Blackjack was mainly played at smoky riverboat casinos and Wild West saloons to avoid the prying eyes of the law.
It was in these illicit gambling houses that the rules of Blackjack were tweaked. Specifically, they introduced a rule whereby a special payout applied to hands consisting of an ace and a ten-value card – something we call a Blackjack today!
Rise of Casino Blackjack
When places like Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, Blackjack soon took off and secured prime real estate on legal casino floors. Of course, this applied to other places where gambling also enjoyed relaxed legislations and laws – such as Europe. The rise of Blackjack also gained attraction from academics, who rapidly tried to figure out ways to create strategies like card counting to make significant profits from the game.
Blackjack in the Digital Age
As we’ve seen throughout, Blackjack has gone through several phases of adoption and adaptation. Arguably, the most extreme cases of this occurred with the introduction and rise of the internet. Naturally, the internet changed the game for all kinds of industries, not just gambling. However, once technological advancements enabled 21 with real dealers through multiple Blackjack live titles, the online experience forever changed.
With Blackjack now just a few screen pushes away for most people in modern societies, it was inevitable that this classic card game would continue to dominate. As for what modern Blackjack games look like, they facilitate fast rounds with smooth graphics, and through HD streaming, players can even enjoy real-life Blackjack without leaving the house.
Fair to say – Blackjack has come a long way, and the future could be even brighter!
