Indeed, the race to reach 21 points before the dealer, the game known as Blackjack, is the most popular game played in casinos worldwide. With a simple yet intriguing concept, each player places a bet, receives two cards, and strives to reach 21 points before the dealer achieves this feat, while being careful not to exceed the 21-point mark. This modern game is played with multiple decks and supports multiple players. Have you ever wondered about the origins of Blackjack? While nobody is entirely certain about the origins of Blackjack, most people believe that it dates back to the 18th century and originated from a French casino called Vingt-et-un, which means twenty-one in Portuguese. Others speculate that the Italian game Sette e Mezzo came first. In the 19th century, French settlers brought this game to America, where significant changes took place. To attract players, American casinos offered odds of 10 to 1 if a player achieved a spade and a black duke (Black jack) in their first play. In fact, this is where the name Blackjack originates from for this popular game. Nowadays, Blackjack has expanded and means achieving any card with a face or a ten and an ace, thus reaching the sought-after 21 points.
Twists and Turns in the History of Blackjack: An Intriguing Journey
In the early 1960s, there emerged a pivotal moment in the history of Blackjack when Edward O. Thorp released a book titled "Conquer the Dealer." This publication revolutionized the game by introducing the concept of card counting. It provided players with the knowledge and techniques to calculate the probability of receiving advantageous cards. Thorp's groundbreaking work marked a turning point in the world of Blackjack.
Unsurprisingly, the publication of this player's guide prompted casinos to react. In response, they have implemented various card decks and card shuffling machines to make card counting methods more challenging, in other words, to make it harder to determine which cards have already been dealt. Needless to say, winning against dealers has become more difficult. It is believed that Blackjack has made a brilliant transition to the online world and remains an immensely popular game. Did you know that Napoleon was a big fan of online Blackjack and played it while exiled on the Island of Elba? Back in 2002, a Blackjack Hall of Fame was established at the Casino Barona in California to honor the best Blackjack players, authors, and professionals. The mathematician and author of the Blackjack theory is also included in this Hall of Fame, along with professional Blackjack player Ken Uston.
