The origin of the game of blackjack is debatable. To this day, historians can’t be sure where the game came from; however, there are several theories. Throughout history, games of a similar nature have been played around the world, and all of them are likely to have influenced the game of blackjack we know today. Want to know more about blackjack 21 and its origins? Keep reading! Here, we explore the origins of the blackjack game and its name in more detail.
How to play blackjack
Before getting into its history, let’s explore how to play blackjack game. If you’re new to the game, don’t panic – the basic rules are simple. Better still, they remain intact in both the land-based and online blackjack versions. If you’re an experienced gambler, you may enjoy using tactics or strategies to try to ‘beat’ the game. However, this is not necessary to have fun with blackjack. This means that beginners can start playing in minutes.
To win the card game blackjack, you will need to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21. Essentially, you need to get your hand as close to 21 as possible without going over. At the start of the game, two cards are given to each player and the dealer. Before the cards are laid, all players must place their bets. Once all bets are placed, you must choose whether to “hit” or “stand.” If you decide to hit, you are asking the dealer to draw an additional card to try and get closer to 21. If you choose to stand, you don’t receive an extra card, and the game moves onto the next player. As the game continues, you may ask the dealer for additional cards until you decided to make a final stand or go bust. You will go bust if another card tips your total over 21. When all remaining players have chosen to stand, all hands are shown, and whoever has the closest total to 21 is the winner. Thankfully, the rules of the card game blackjack remain the same in both online and land-based casinos. Better still, they are similar, if not identical, all over the globe. This means that you can enjoy the game wherever you are.
First referenced in the 1600s
In some areas of the world, blackjack is known as “twenty-one.” The first reference to this game was made in the early 1600s, in a book by Miguel de Cervantes. The book was called Rinconete y Cortadillo and explored gambling cheaters in Seville. In the book, a game called “Veintiuna” is mentioned, which translates from Spanish to “twenty-one.” According to Cervantes, the game is played without tens, and Aces are worth either one point or eleven points.
Popular in French casinos in the 1700s
A similar game is thought to have been played in France. “Vingt-et-Un,” which translates from French to “twenty-one,” was popular in French casinos in the 1700s. In Spain, a similar game called “One and Thirty” was played. In this variant, the aim was to reach a total of 31 using at least three cards.
Some historians suggest that a game similar to blackjack was played by the Roman Empire. As we know, the Romans were big fans of gambling, and it’s believed that they played a game similar to blackjack using wooden bricks with numbers written on them. While there is no concrete evidence to support this, it’s another interesting theory.
Spread to North America in the 1900s
Wherever the blackjack game originated, we know that it finally spread to America in the 1900s with French colonists. Back then, the rules were slightly different from the blackjack game we know today. For instance, there were multiple betting rounds in each game, and only the dealer was permitted to double.
Before long, twenty-one had spread across the North American continent. However, there were still many players who found it boring and didn’t believe the payouts were worthwhile. To counteract this, casinos in Nevada started offering a special bet to attract more players to the game. This bet promised a 10:1 payout for anyone who achieved a hand of 21 made up of the Ace of Spades and a Black Jack. This payout is no longer given, but it certainly did the trick back then and increased the popularity of the game. Today, blackjack typically pays 3:2.
Where does the name come from?
So, now we know the blackjack history facts, but where does the name come from? When twenty-one first arrived to the United States, casinos looked for a way to promote the game. They came up with various bonuses and promotions, one of which included the special bet mentioned above. If a Blackjack was dealt along with the Ace of Spades, a payout of 10:1 was given. As the game became more popular in the United States, this bonus became less common; however, the informal nickname of “blackjack” had already stuck.
There are various other kinds of blackjack. For instance, blackjack is a small, black-barked oak tree found in the US. It’s also a short, leather-covered club and a type of weed. Blackjack is also the name of a mineral, a drinking cup, and the skull and crossbones flags seen on pirate ships; however, most people now associate the term first and foremost with the blackjack game.
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