When it comes to online gaming, we all have our favorites that we always seem to choose from, none more so than when you walk into an online casino, where new games are regularly added and casino classics have been brought into the 21st century; allowing new and existing players to grab a game anytime of the day, anywhere they want. With that in mind, let’s explore the timeline of one of these games, considered a classic in the casino – Blackjack. Now you can play Betfair Blackjack on demand wherever you want as long as you have internet access, making it clear that this game has stood the test of time, evolving to become one of the ‘big ones’ within the ‘hall of fame’.
Blackjack: The Beginning
Some historians and researchers believe that Blackjack originates from Roman times. Although there is no proof of this, it is said that the Romans loved to gamble and used to use wooden blocks with numbers painted on them to play some games of chance, just like we use playing cards today.
As there is no solid evidence that this is where the Blackjack designs came from, the researchers agreed that the first signs of the game can be found as far back as the 1700s in France. Many card games were merged to form a game called Vingt-et-Un, which translates to Twenty-one. The game proved to be very popular in France and was even played at the Royal Court under the reign of King Louis XV.
In the 18th century, thanks to French settlers who traveled to the United States, Twenty-One grew in popularity among North American residents enjoying this newfound game. The game grew with such conviction that in 1820, in the state of New Orleans, a law was passed to legalize gambling halls, making it easier for players to enjoy the game they loved.
During this time, a French woman who had immigrated to America named Eleanor Dumont traveled around the US before opening her own gaming venue in Nevada City. Dumont was a skilled dealer, considered a rarity among other card dealers, which attracted many people from all over the country to visit her establishment – which curiously was called Vingt-et-Un – just to play against her.
Blackjack: In the modern age
It wasn’t until the 20th century that gaming halls and casinos needed a way to promote gambling. Casinos decided to offer bonus payouts, including one that paid extra if your winning hand included the Ace of Spades with a Jack of Clubs or the Jack of Spades – a black jack. With these bonus payouts on offer, Twenty-One has grown in popularity once again. Players started referring to it as Blackjack, because of the bonus. When the offer ended, the name stuck.
Over the years, technology has advanced and with that we have seen the birth of the internet. As our lives began to transition to a digital world, so did our gaming habits, which led to the first of many virtual casino doors opened to online players in 1996. With sites like Betfair providing access to casino classics and much more, players could enjoy Blackjack anytime, anywhere.
