Blackjack, like many other games, has a history that is still today hotly debated. One of the most popular theories of blackjack history is that it began in French casinos around 1700, as a game called Twenty-one, and that it was probably derived from the French game called Chemin de Fer.
Another interesting idea is that it originated in Spain, around the same time, from a game that required players to reach the total of thirty one, with a minimum of three cards. There is also the possibility that it began way back in Roman times, with a game the ancient Romans used to play using wooden blocks of different numerical values. Certainly the Romans loved gambling, but that is only a faint foundation for the idea of the origin of blackjack. Although so much of what we have today comes from ideas the old Romans had.
Whatever the beginning of blackjack history is, or wherever it began, it began to spread to countries like North Africa, where there were a number of French colonists having deep interest. Rules of this version were slightly different from the rules we know today. Only the dealer was allowed to double, and there was a betting round between each of the cards dealt.
Most Popular Casino Banking Game in the World
Blackjack history shows that this game is the most widely played casino banking game in the world. Blackjack is a card game where players compete against the dealer, not against other players. It is played with one or more decks of fifty two cards, and the object of the game is to get to 21 before the dealer does, or to reach a higher score than the dealer without going over 21. Blackjack does have many rule variations. Since the 1960s blackjack history has shown an increase in advantage players, and card counters, who track the cards that have been dealt, and adapt their wagers and strategies accordingly.
Modern Form of Twenty-One
In 1931 the state of Nevada, United States, legalised gambling, and the game of Twenty-one became increasingly popular. To bring more people to the game, some casinos began offering a special bet. A hand of cards that included one of the black jacks, either the Jack of Spades or the Jack of Clubs, plus the Ace of Spades, would earn the lucky player odds of ten to one from the casino. This bet was later abandoned, but the name blackjack remained, and that is what the game is called today.
Whatever the blackjack history is, the game of blackjack has evolved over centuries, and even today it continues to grow and change. With the development of the internet, and online casinos becoming ever more popular, there are now several new versions of the game that gamers can play. Some of the biggest online casino sites now also offer the innovative live blackjack game with real dealers. Live blackjack is the newest and most advanced way to play blackjack in the comfort of your own home.
Other Derivatives from Blackjack
There are a few other games that have developed from blackjack. Pontoon and Spanish 21 have both been inspired by blackjack. There is a British card game called black jack, but that is actually unrelated to the well known casino game of blackjack.
Overall blackjack history is the story of one of the most fascinating of all casino games, and playing blackjack online is some of the most fun players can have at an online casino.