"Forever 21" the History of Blackjack
Blackjack, also known as the game of 21, is one of the most popular card games played in casinos in the present day. The history of Blackjack goes back to Europe in the baroque period. It is still widely speculated as to where exactly the Blackjack game originated, but it is widely believed that Blackjack originated in France. Blackjack was believed to be an offspring of French card games "chemin de fer" and "French Ferme".
This was in the seventeenth century yet, where vingt-et-un (twenty and one) was created. This game was then already played in casinos all over france. Vingt-et-un was actually quite different from the Blackjack game we know now. The goal in vingt-et-un, was to reach a "natural" with cards totaling 21, but the cards were dealt in rounds instead. Only the dealer could double in this game.
After the French revolution, blackjack was introduced in the United States in the 1800's. Since gambling was illegal in western United States from the 1850's to 1910, the game of Blackjack could not flourish. It was until the state of Nevada, made it a felony to operate a gambling game. Thirty one years later 1931, Nevada legalized casino gambling with Blackjack becoming one of the primary games of chance offered to gamblers.
The game was not very popular in the beginning, that is why gambling houses then tried to entice gamblers with bonus payouts. That is were the name Blackjack originated, because if a player got the Jack of Spades and the Ace of Spades as his first two cards, the player would receive a bonus payout. This bonus payout for this Blackjack was then 10 to 1. Nowadays this a Jack is no longer required and any ten-value with an Ace can make up a winning hand. The traditional payout now is 3 to 2 for a natural Blackjack.
The History of Blackjack is a long one and it is played all over the world even in different forms. In Russia for example, the game is called "21" or "Ochko" (The Hole). Other card games similar to Blackjack include Pontoon, which may be one of the early variations of the game. Pontoon is an unlicensed form of Spanish 21. California Aces is another variation of Blackjack as we know it now.
In the end the History of Blackjack includes many possible origins of different card games throughout history. Nevertheless, the game of Blackjack has become an irreplaceable component in casinos all over the world.
