No conversation about a casino, whether it be an online or a traditional one, is complete without the mention of blackjack. As one of the firm favourites to emerge over the years, the game has a rich history that dates back several centuries. Like with many things, however, it is near impossible to try and trace back to the exact moment that the game was invented. Thankfully, there are several recorded instances of the game in numerous popular texts that date back to many years ago. Below, you’ll find a brief history of blackjack, the game that has evolved into the online casino phenomenon it was become now, so that next time you play blackjack online casino games, you’ll know a little bit more about the game.
Possible French Origins
Many people believe that blackjack can be traced back to the casinos of France in the early 1700s. However, it is thought that back then, it was called Vingt-et-Un, which when roughly translated into English means “twenty one.” The basic goal of this version of the game was to reach cards to the value of 21 using as few cards as possible. Interestingly enough, these days, when we play online blackjack casino games, it is easy to see just how much the game from the 1700s has translated into the games that we play in this day and age, albeit on a different platform.
A Trip around the World
Of course, when blackjack became popular in France, it soon spread to other parts of the world. Initially, it is thought that the Spanish had copied the French and developed their own version, which when translated from its Spanish name was called “Thirty One.” Soon after that, blackjack began showing up in places as far afield as North America as well. The rules back then differed slightly from the ones we use when we play blackjack online casino games today, as is evident in the fact that only the dealers were allowed to double a bet all those years ago.
Potential Ties to the Romans
While most people believe that the French are responsible for inventing blackjack, another version of the origin of the game credits the Romans. Legend has it that the Roman version of the game involved wooden blocks, each with their own numerical value. No matter where the roots of blackjack may lie, there is no denying that over the years, the game has evolved greatly and is varies significantly from what we know when we play blackjack online casino games these days.
The next time you play real money blackjack online casino games, consider the history of the game and how it has evolved to become the game that it is today. No matter where the origins may lie, there is no denying the fact that the game has immensely impacted the world of online gambling as a whole. The game itself is fairly easy to understand and promises to bring about hours of fun!