Blackjack is a card game widely played all over the world. The game is called 21 or Vingt En Un, which means 21 in French. Although the game is said to have originated in France, today, there are several versions of the game available across the world. Some of the variants are Pontoon and Spanish 21, among others.Â
Origins - From 17th Century Vingt En Un
In the 17th century, Vingt En Un was a card game played in France. The rules of the game were different from the version played today. In this game, doubling could be done only by the dealer and bets could be placed between each round.
Late 1700s - Vingt En Un Brought to the US After the French Revolution
After the French Revolution ended in 1799, the game was brought over to the US. As there weren’t any laws that governed gambling during that period, the game enjoyed great success. Gamblers recognized the money-making prospect of the game and soon began to create strategies to increase their odds of winning.
1800s - Played Secretly in US to Avoid Issues
In the early 19th century, the US prohibited gambling activities in the country. As the game was already highly successful, it was played secretly to avoid legal issues. According to the government, the trend of gambling led to an increase in organized crimes and corruption of society. But, the laws only served to enhance the popularity of the game.
1931 - Legalized in Nevada
In 1931, Nevada legalized gambling activities in the state which allowed it to be played openly for the first time in years. An innovative bet called blackjack was offered to make the game more attractive. If a player had a Jack of Clubs or Spades along with the Ace of Spades, he could play the lucky player’s wager with winning odds of 10-1. This unique bet was soon removed from the game. The game derived its name from this bet.
1953 - Roger Baldwin Studies the game to Develop Betting Strategies
As the game continued to grow in popularity, players took to studying the game. In early 1950s, Roger Baldwin, along with several other men, used calculations and theories of statistics to develop betting methods. This was done in an effort to decrease the house edge of the game. Three years later, Baldwin released the first strategy guide titled Optimum Strategy in Blackjack. The American Statistical Association published the guide.
Almost twenty years later, Edward Thorpe came out with the first guide to card counting in this game titled Beat the Dealer. The publication received widespread accolades and topped the bestseller’s list in the New York Times. Casinos swiftly reacted to Thorpe’s guide and altered the rules of the game to reduce their losses.
Online 21
The game was not developed by one person, but by many, over the years. Today, it can be played on the internet at online casinos. Several sites provide live dealer games which give the player a land-based betting house environment with the opportunity to interact with other players through web cameras.
