Blackjack: A Hand Dealt Through Time
A game often referred to as a casino classic, Blackjack has not only stood the test of time but has also continued to evolve throughout the years, as a game full of both chance and luck. Gone are the days when you would have to head down to a brick-and-mortar casino to play; Blackjack is now a game played within casino games online for real money bets, allowing players new and existing the chance to be dealt a hand worth up to 21, for real money prizes, all from the comfort of their sofas.
With this in mind, let’s delve into the timeline of this classic, to explore Blackjack’s journey through time, and how it became an online sensation within the virtual casino lobby.
Origins
There is a theory that the blueprint for Blackjack was created by the Romans. Although it hasn’t been confirmed, historians have discovered that the Romans loved to gamble and it is believed they played a form of Blackjack with wooden blocks, marked by different numbers, painted on them, instead of the playing cards we use today.
Although this is widely believed to be the start of Blackjack’s journey to the modern-day, many researchers agree that the real origins of the game date back to around 1700 within French casinos, where back then, it was known as Vingt-et-Un, which translates to Twenty-One and was also known be played at the French Royal Court during the reign of King Louis XV.
As well as various versions of Vingt-et-Un, card games, in general, grew in popularity within the 18th century and eventually made it to the shores of the USA, with the helping hand of French colonists. In 1820, New Orleans legalised gambling halls and the popularity of the game grew. It was also during this time that French-born Eleanor Dumont immigrated to America – she was a skilled dealer and travelled around the US dealing games until she opened her own gambling hall in Nevada City. Ironically, she named the place Vingt-et-Un. People from all over the country flocked to her gambling hall, as she was considered a rarity among card dealers. It was also here that American players called the game 21.
Blackjack in the modern-day
As we entered the 20th century, Blackjack was still known as 21 in Nevada City, but it was during this time period that it eventually evolved to the name we know it as today – Blackjack. The new name came from a casino promotion that was offering bonus payouts if a player’s hand included a black jack, a jack of spades or clubs, alongside the ace of spades.
Later in this century, an invention that would change the world we lived in forever was born – the Internet. In 1983, the Internet dialled into our lives, which soon saw the first virtual casino doors open.
As technology advanced, more and more games were becoming available to players who were seeking casino gameplay from the comfort of their own homes, and within today’s virtual casino floor, you can find many variations of this classic casino game right at your fingertips.
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Blackjack has travelled through history and time and has evolved over the years to become a game at the top of many players' ‘to play’ lists. So, next time you decide to be dealt a hand at a virtual Blackjack table, you may stop to think about just how far this game has come and wonder about the many hands dealt over the years.