The Origins of Blackjack

Firstly, it appears that the interest in blackjack games is higher than ever with many people now choosing to play the popular game from their smartphone. The game of blackjack has come a long way ever since it could only be played in person and in physical casino establishments. Although the origins of the game cannot be pinpointed exactly, blackjack, which is also referred to as twenty-one and pontoon, is related to several French and Italian casino games. The origins of the game can be traced back as far as the 16th century before being evolved for many years to the point it can be seen in nearly every brick and mortar casino. The game of blackjack was popularised during the 18th century when traditional casinos would give their customers bets to attract them to the game. This special bet was the 10:1 odds of a player having a Black Jack and it is at this point when the name was allocated to the game. 

Of course, it was not just common people that enjoyed played blackjack as it was known as 21 in royal courts and was played by the higher classes in France including King Louis XV’s mistress and Napoleon Bonaparte. The game quickly got a name for itself as it was popularised as a great way to relax and celebrate after battle. Furthermore, the game of blackjack experienced even more growth in later centuries, for example in Nevada in 1931 as the State first chose to make casino legal. Owing to the European colonisation period, the game of blackjack became a worldwide phenomenon and now can be played in more than 140 countries as a great means of socialising whilst being able to wager money. There are also a wide number of blackjack variations to choose from today including European Blackjack, American Blackjack and Blackjack Switch. Of course, with the creation of online casinos in recent years, blackjack can also be played on online casino sites meaning that there are even more convenient ways of playing the game than when it first emerged.