When thinking about the casino world and how it has evolved, grown and adapted to the ever-changing world we live in, it may surprise some players to learn that their favourite games on the casino floors, both physically and virtually, date back hundreds of years, rather than just a few decades or so. This being said, we thought it would be a good time to delve back into the casino archives to discover just where one such casino classic, Blackjack, originates from and how it is has travelled through time to arrive on screens around the world, ready and waiting for players to place their wagers and play online Blackjack.
Scroll down to the very start of the Blackjack timeline, and travel through time with us to discover the evolution of Blackjack.
Where it all began
Some historians believe that the first signs of this casino classic actually derive from the Romans. It is said they used painted wooden blocks in place of the playing cards we use today. However, there isn’t any real evidence of this, so this cannot be classed as the first official sign of Blackjack, nor its origin.
What historians have agreed upon is that Blackjack’s origins can be traced back to 1700s France, where popular card games at the time were merged together, forming a game known then as Vingt-et-Un, which translates to Twenty One. This card game was played within the French Royal Court during the reign of King Louis XV.
Hands around the world
As Blackjack became a hit within France, the game soon started to spread to corners of the world, introducing players to a game that would become a casino icon. In the 18th century, thanks to French colonists, Twenty One reached the shores of America and soon became a favourite amongst locals, yet it wasn’t until the 19th century, when a French lady named Eleanor Dumont, immigrated to the States and travelled around the country as a Vingt-et-Un dealer, that the game really took off.
It was known amongst dealers and players alike, that Dumont was a rarity within the dealer industry, making any game she dealt one to remember. It wasn’t long before she put down roots and opened her own gaming venue in Nevada City, California, which she ironically called Vingt-et-Un. Through word of mouth, Dumont soon saw players from all over the country, travelling from far and wide, to not only meet her, but have a game with her too. This helped Twenty-One to further grow in popularity.
20th Century Blackjack
Moving into the 20th century, Blackjack was still known as Twenty One. But, thanks to a casino promotion designed to help bring new and existing players into the casino venues and gambling halls, things were about to change.
One such promotion, that offered players the chance to earn an extra payout, was called Blackjack. To win an extra payout, you simply needed to hold a hand with the value of 21, made from the Ace of Spades and either the Jack of Spades or the Jack of Clubs, both, of course, being the black Jacks within the deck. This proved to be popular with players, so much so that when the offer faded, the name remained.
Blackjack Online
As technology advanced and the internet was introduced, we soon saw the first of many online casinos open their doors to players around the world. With this big step within both the technology and gaming world, we soon saw casino classics such as Blackjack evolve into a digital format, allowing players all over the world to grab a game whenever they liked, wherever they liked.
Thanks to this jump onto a digital platform, Blackjack has been able to remain on the top, adapting and evolving to stand the test of time.
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