History of the Most Popular Casino Game - Blackjack

It's a well-known fact that the origins of blackjack and the question of who created the game are the subject of heated discussion. In this blog, we'll trace blackjack's development from its inception to its current prominence, discussing important figures along the way. Keep reading to discover the interesting history of the world's favourite casino game.

Who Invented the Blackjack Game and Early History

Without a doubt, one of the most played games in casinos (stake bonus 2023) is blackjack. Like European Roulette, it is popular at casinos thanks to its straightforward rules, quick gaming, and strategic components. Nevertheless, as blackjack borrows parts and rules from a number of different card games, determining its exact origin is difficult. As a result, the origin of blackjack is a matter of much debate.

The most widely accepted theory is that wooden blocks with numbers painted on them were used in an early form of blackjack played by Ancient Romans. Indeed, it is not far-fetched, given that gambling was a common hobby in Ancient Rome. Many people also date the origins of blackjack to the 17th century, with many pointing to Miguel de Cervantes' work Novelas Ejemplares as proof. In it, the Spanish word for "twenty-one," "veintiuna," is mentioned.

However, the game Vingt Un (or "Twenty One"), which originated in France in the 18th century, is often regarded as the definitive ancestor of blackjack. Ferme and Chemin de fer, a speedier variant of baccarat, merged to create blackjack. After gaining massive popularity in Britain, the game made its way to the United States and was given a new name there.

The Origin of Blackjack’s Name

The tale of how blackjack got its name is almost as interesting as the game's development. Vingt Un's name was changed to Black Jack once he arrived in the United States. People often attribute this phenomenon to the nineteenth century. American casinos provide a payout incentive to attract more customers. Ten to one was the payout for a hand containing both an ace of spades and a jack of black suits.

The original beginning of blackjack, however, can be traced back to the Klondike Gold Rush in Canada, as card historian Thierry Depaulis said. Blackjack was a term for a local ore, and it was commonly used to denote the presence of gold in the region. Getting an ace or any card worth 10 points was sometimes referred to as "winning big."

Regardless of the origins of the term, the game quickly gained popularity in saloons and was introduced to casinos in the United States with the establishment of legalised gambling in Las Vegas in 1931. In that year, the rules of blackjack were standardised and outlined in detail, making the game accessible to a wider audience. Then the event that changed everything happened, and it wasn't even the discovery of the game's inventor.

Modern Blackjack History – Breakthrough in Popularity

It's not as crucial to know who created blackjack as it is to know who developed the game's core strategy. It's a lot like roulette, where players may utilise their knowledge and strategy to better their odds of winning. The first such method was found by the mathematical team of Roger Baldwin, Wilbert Caney, Herbert Maisel, and James McDermott.

Their paper, "The Optimum Blackjack Strategy," published in 1956, is based on mathematical calculations. If the dealer's starting value is four, five, or six, the computer suggests actions such as standing on 12. Edward Thorp, an MIT professor and author of the 1962 book "Beat the Dealer," would later verify this method by using card counting to reduce the house edge.

The primary takeaway from both works was that the house advantage in blackjack was quite minimal. This novel card game quickly gained in popularity as players attempted to replicate the highest roulette victories by employing the tactics detailed in "Beat the Dealer." However, this prompted casinos to enact even more stringent laws, including methods to detect and prevent card counting.

Publication of these publications was a watershed moment in the evolution of blackjack, maybe more so than the game's original creator. Skilled players had a better shot of victory, and seasoned players relished the challenge of devising novel strategies to beat the system. Blackjack's many variations emerged as its popularity grew and more individuals started playing the game.