BlackJack - The Journey So Far

Blackjack or 21 is a game whose origin is unconfirmed but it is assumed that the game blackjack has its roots so far back in the history that it is hard to say anything how and where the game was originated exactly.

The name of blackjack was found first time in a Spanish book based on a gambler named Cervantes and the prime role models in his story were Rinconete y Cortadillo who were a couple of frauds employed in Seville. They were experienced in cheating in Ventiuna (Blackjack in Spanish) and defined the rules that the aim of the game was getting twenty one points without exceeding it and the aces can be used for one or eleven points. This short tale was inscribed in 1601 or 1602 that stated that the game was played in Castilla in 1700s. After that it was known in France and Spain. It is assumed that the modern blackjack game is based on the twenty rule of Ventiuna.

The gaming rules of Ventiuna and Blackjack vary a little though the base is identical. Ventiuna game implements the different wagering ways in which the wagers are placed after every round. In Ventiuna, only the dealer can use the doubling option but the aim of both games is same to achieve 21.

However the modern blackjack game is almost identical to Ventiuna, one more game Seven and half was found in Italy in 1700s that also consisted of similar rules. Seven and half used few cards only from the deck but not all such as face cards and seven, eight and nine number cards were used. The number cards possessed one point value whereas the face cards possessed half point value. Here the king of diamonds was used as the wild card and could be considered for any point value depended on the user. The game was played to get seven and half points just like the blackjack where the goal is 21. Players exceeded seven and half points had gone into bust. The term bust is equally same like it is used in blackjack today that it is derived from the seven and half.

The game was quite hidden until the French revolution arrived in North US. It was the moment when the game has undergone a huge change in regards to its reputation. When blackjack entered in US casinos, they offered bigger bonuses to attract the players. Ten to one was one of those bigger bonuses that offered the payout when the player had ace of spades with blackjack. This hand was known as blackjack and name is given to the game however the 10:1 bonus was closed.

During those periods in the North US history there were no obligations on gaming and wagering on the card games that had made blackjack most popular among the population.

In 19th century US governments has banned online gambling including the card games in which blackjack was also nominated. The rumors were that the gambling pushed up the crimes in the city. Due to the implication of law blackjack became the hidden gambling game at that period. However this law was only applied in US not in other countries, but today the conditions are changed, people enjoy blackjack as one of their favorite games again.