Blackjack History: How The Game Started And Best Strategies To Win A Blackjack Game

Blackjack is one of the most popular and oldest card game forms. While many would argue that it only belongs in a casino, families also play at home during social gatherings and meetings to make things fun and lighthearted. However, despite its worldwide influence, its history has long been a bone of contention among players.

The history of blackjack and the game has caused long-standing debates between enthusiasts and players worldwide. This is because, while the game has been around for as long as anyone can remember, its history has been one of the most debated topics in the world. There are so many stories about its origins, and we will discuss them as the article continues. Keep reading to learn about blackjack’s origins and how best to play it.

History of Blackjack

There are many historical accounts of where blackjack originated, and we will look through them one after the other, starting with the most received/accepted version.

Historians believe that blackjack was first heard of in European (or, to be more specific, French) casinos in the 1700s, albeit under a different name, Vingt-et-Un (which roughly translates to twenty-one). At the time, the game aimed to be dealt cards to hit twenty-one. Some others infer that blackjack was extracted from the other card games in vogue then, French Ferme, Quinze and Chemin de Fer (French), and Sette e Mezzo (Italian for Seven and a Half).

There is also an unconfirmed rumor that the Romans had played blackjack using numbered wood blocks instead of cards. However, while gambling was a thing in Roman times, there is no way to confirm this, so it remains a myth.

However, some people argue that Spain was the true origin of the game, where a game called Trente-Un (thirty-one) was a common fixture. This fact is backed up by a reference in the famous 1570 novel Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, and a priest was reported to have mentioned it in a text long before that, in 1440. Nevertheless, all of these games must have contributed in one way or another to what we now know as blackjack.

Going Beyond 17th Century Europe

After the game had become a common phenomenon in the streets and homes of Europe, sailors and travelers began to spread the game as they moved from one place to another. By the 19th century, blackjack (or its predecessors) had gotten to America, close to Germany, Prussia, and the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. On getting to the British, the game morphed into the more intricate Pontoon, which became popular after World War I and has grown ever since into the Blackjack online game it is now.

The French colonists imported their favorite card game, Vingt-et-Un, into North America in the early 1800s, and that was when it became a fixture among gamble-loving Americans. To make it more appealing, gaming houses (the early name of casinos) began to offer bonus payments on each game.

One of the common deals was a 10-to-1 payout on a hand having the ace of spades and any blackjack (clubs or spades). At this time, the game was still called Vingt-et-Un, and it was only after the introduction of the sweetened deals that the game became known as blackjack. The name stayed even after the payouts were removed.

In 1931, the Nevada Gaming Commission looked to legalize gambling and introduced a complete set of rules guiding blackjack playing across the state. They allowed for high standards and fair game playing for blackjack players all over the state and beyond.

While blackjack evolves even now, the main rules stay the same. To show how much it has evolved, casinos now offer online games with real dealers, a far cry from the game that originated from European streets and homes.

Best Blackjack Strategies

Here are the best blackjack strategies to help you win at blackjack:

● Never split tens or any pair of fives while playing.
● Never make the insurance bet
● Avoid blackjack six to five odds games.
● Always surrender hard sixteen to the dealer’s nines, tens, or aces up card.
● Never go hard fifteen against the dealer’s ten up cards.
● Always double down on eights against the dealer’s fives or sixes upcard in a single-deck game.

Conclusion

While we have mentioned the best card-playing strategies for blackjack in this article, you could give it a critical look to find a unique one and make it your secret weapon when playing with friends and family. Who knows, you might be able to nick off some millions before someone else figures it out. No matter how it pans out, it is a tribute to the early founders of the wonderful blackjack game. If you are a lover of card games, then this is one of the most amazing options you should not be missing out on.

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