Everyone has an opinion when it comes to the best casino game on the market. For us, the answer is the traditional game of blackjack. It has a long history which is as peculiar as the on the table product itself. The original name, if you didn’t know it, wasn’t blackjack. It was Twenty One. The first records of the game came our way from early French and Spanish courts. The allure of the game was so big, that the chances of it remaining only a local game were minimal. In no time it found its way to the overseas colonies, and the rest is history. A part of it we’re going to divulge in this article.
Today, blackjack is a game that is a mainstay in every casino in the world. From the shiny hotels & casinos in Las Vegas to digital paradises such as Stake online casinos and sportsbook, blackjack was and is a game that captivates players, as it is not a mere game of chances and luck, but requires real skills and strategy to play & win.
One could argue that the game was elevated to a higher level since we entered the era of digital technology. The best part about Twenty one is that it hasn’t lost any of its original charm despite being digitalized in the last decade or so. The game now moves smoothly across millions of digital screens all over the world. We aim not to allow its rich history to be forgotten. Considering just how long it has been around, it is not going to happen anytime soon, and we hope that this article will be a minor contribution to the goal of preserving the beautiful game of blackjack.
The Origins of Blackjack
While many folks believe that blackjack predates the casinos, that’s not really the case. It was a game that was first played in French casinos way back in the 1700s. Early on it went under the name Vingt-et-Un. As you can see, blackjack is a centuries old casino game. Yet, throughout its long history the basic rules have never changed. Nowadays, you can enjoy classic blackjack with a modern twist, and yet the goal remains the same, reach 21, don’t go over, and have a better hand than the dealer overall.
While the coveted 21 always remained in place, the game did evolve throughout the years. When it reached the shores of what’s to be the United States of America of today, the standard Twenty One was altered. The goal to get to 21 and not go over remained, but the presence of the natural 21 was introduced, and it went under the name blackjack. The payout was increased for the natural 21 which consists of an Ace and any face card from the first draw. Reaching 21 with 3 or more cards is not called a blackjack under the new rules.
When the new rules were introduced and the game got further refined, it started making the rounds all over the world. Today, blackjack is played in every casino in the world both land based ones and online ones alike. If you do not believe us, you can enter any casino from Las Vegas and Atlantic City, across London, Monte Carlo, Belgrade, and Johannesburg, to Macau and Australia. You will find a blackjack table there. The more the game became widespread, more tiny rules were added, depending on the location where it is played. A good example is Atlantic City, where players have an option of surrendering their hand, which gives them half of their wager back. In Europe it is customary for the dealer to draw the second card after each of the players is given two before they decide to hit or stand.
Throughout the years, blackjack became so popular that online casinos couldn’t wait to create a digital version. Now that they have, the majority of people who are drawn to online gaming, have tried playing blackjack. Here’s how the imminent transition went.
The Transition to Digital Age
If you’ve been paying attention to the history of online gambling and not just blackjack, you ought to know that the switch from land based casinos to online outlets started as early as in the 1990s, and continued through 2000s all up to today where it has almost taken over the gambling industry. With all the opportunities the online approach offers, it is no wonder that things went as they have. Throughout the years, various versions of online blackjack have been developed, as every developer out there wanted to make a mark on the historic game. As the catalogue grew so have the rules and gameplay options.
Online blackjack could be on a higher level right now than the classic game ever was. Its eternal charm packed with modern variations breathed in a new life into a game that was already more than popular. Being able to play this casino classic on the go, in the palm of your hand, made a difference for many players who loved the game but had no access to a land based casino.
A contemporary variant of blackjack that is probably at the top of blackjack popularity mountain is what’s known as blackjack 21+3. What made this version so popular is that it combines blackjack with another popular casino game, poker. The combo of the two elevated the casino experience for many players. Within this variation you can place a side bet in addition to the standard BJ wager. The most popular side bet is the one where it is required to have a poker combination from the cards you have and the dealer has. While it appears as a minor shift from the standard blackjack, it really adds a few more layers of excitement and an unexcited twist to the already beloved game.
The side bet is lost if you do not have a winning poker combination after cards are drawn. As far as your main bet goes it is active as long you hit/stand, bust, or win. When you win the side bet, it is still not over as far as your initial bet goes and you continue to play. While it requires a bit higher initial bet, the possibility to win more is too appealing for many players not to try it. As it’s usually the case, a game where there’s more pats to win against the house is widely accepted and it is what made 21+3 blackjack gain more popularity compared to even the standard casino version.
The Advancement of technology & Its Impact on 21
It was evident from the start that blackjack has the potential to be easily digitalized. Yet, from the moment it was adapted to computers, the casino landscape changed. From that moment on, and we’re talking about poker, roulette, and other classic casino games going online, the need for ordinary and casual casino lovers to go physically to a casino disappeared. Playing blackjack, and any other casino game was now possible at any place at any time.
Technology even enabled blackjack to grow behind the imaginable borders previously set. Suddenly, you’ve had new in game features, less limits on bets, and single player options. Yet, with all of the additions, the game remained true to its roots, and the rule of 21 never went anywhere. It was a joy to behold how modern technology breathed a new life into a classic game, adding more than a few new elements, while remaining true to what made blackjack so great in the first place. For players, having its essence preserved made it so much easier to adapt to the online version of blackjack.
While in the early days of the online gambling industry the access to internet and devices on which you could enjoy blackjack was scarce, as time moved on, all of that changed. Numerous digital platforms and online casinos such as Stake online casino and sportsbook came our way, each trying to provide players with the most appealing version of blackjack. Having casinos at the palm of your hand is what most of us dreamt back in the day on the long rides to the closest brick and mortar casino (and none was close). What’s even better is the high competition that rules in the world of online gambling, casinos are fighting for each user, and this has led to various casino promotions, bonuses, and loyalty points. Everything, all of us blackjack players love, right?
When you sit back, relax, play a few rounds of blackjack on your phone, tablet, or laptop, it is hard not to start thinking just how far we have come from the early days of classic casinos, to the early days of online casinos, internet and mobile devices, to what we have available today. Truly a marvelous time to be alive.
The Possibilities of Modern Blackjack
Modern blackjack has it all. It has so many variations, that every player can find what suits him the best. While 21+ 3 might be one of the most popular options out there, the list doesn’t stop with it. How about the Spanish 21? It is a version where the deck used has no face cards. This is an update that changed how blackjack is played drastically. While we acknowledge that it is a fun variant, we are also aware that it will not be everyone’s cup of tea. But, if you like an aggressive approach to blackjack, and higher payouts given with more cards you need for a 21, Spanish 21 is for you.
The next in line is the coveted Double Exposure Blackjack. It is a variation that works more in players favour compared to the standard house edge in 21. The exposure comes as a bonus in which the dealer’s cards are face up from the get go. Due to this, the rules regarding splitting and doubling down are more harsh, and if you like to take a hand of blackjack down this alley, the benefits of knowing both dealer’s cards are quickly offset.
While we will die on the hill that standard blackjack is the best version, having a few more options to choose from is a nice addition too. Younger players can fall in love with the game of 21 from any of the new versions, and it might be the only one they ever knew. In any case, we believe that the game needs to evolve in order to keep interest from both the younger and the older generation. Keeping it fresh has been paying dividends so far, so looking to add novelties to a classic is a wise idea for most online casinos.
The best example is the Spanish 21 which did the unthinkable and removed all the face cards. The game remained the same under the original rules, but the counting to 21 changed drastically, and payouts did as well. If you ask us, it was a welcomed variation to an already amazing game. Considering that online casinos have millions of users, offering more than one option is rather a necessity than it is something they wanted or planned to do. New layers added to the game ensure that it will stand the test of time the same way it did in the past throughout the centuries of its existence.
Just like it had a glorious past, it has an amazing present, blackjack will have an even better future, and we have zero doubts about it. With technologies such as Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality waiting to take over the online gambling domain, it is only a matter of time before the blackjack experience gets elevated even further to what we know today. Considering how the game has been around for more than 300 years, giving it a breath of fresh air with all the tech we have available was only a fair thing to do. So far the results haven’t disappointed, and we hope for more of the same in the future.