The most important part of any casino is, inherently, its games, and few games have captured the hearts and minds of players all around the world quite the same way that blackjack has.

Every casino worth its weight offers blackjack in some form or another, and apart from poker and slots, blackjack is, without a doubt, one of the most popular games in the world.

Modern blackjack is bound by a very specific set of rules that, while varying slightly from casino to casino, keep the game in order and ensure that card counting and strategies are kept to a minimum.

These rules, like every part of the game, have evolved over time, starting with the earliest versions of the game and growing into the modern phenomena that so many enjoy and play to this day.

Like with most casino games, blackjack has an old and rich history that can be dated back to Europe.

The Beginnings of Blackjack

Blackjack found its beginnings in an assortment of other card games that were played all over Spain and France.

These games were all different, but they all involved decks of cards and that players had to try and drawing as close to set values as possible.

Such games as Trente-un (thirty one) are seen as the forefathers of today’s blackjack, and while they share many similarities, these games required were often based more on the cards the player was given straight away as opposed to what blackjack players are used to.

After some time, the game of 21 stood out from the rest, and this was the game that was to become what we know as blackjack.

The reason this game gained more popularity than the others was due to the fact that players were given choice during the game: either to hit or stand.

This alone set it apart from other random chance games, and gave players the idea that they could inject their own strategies into the game, improving their chances of winning.

Blackjack in America

The game of 21 swept across Europe and England, and was among the most-played card games that players enjoyed.

It began popping up around America, and during the First World War, people began offering payouts to those that received a black jack and an ace of spades, and this eventually lead to the game adopting the name that we all know today.

The Americans also added two new rules to the game that only further cemented its popularity: one of which was to allow players to see the card the dealer was going to use next, and secondly, for dealers to start using special house rules.

These two rules revolutionised the game for normal players. As it gave them the chance to create their own strategies and actually beat the game.

Modern Blackjack

Whether you’re playing in Las Vegas or enjoying a state-of-the-art online casino recommended by canadiancasinoonline.org, blackjack hasn’t changed much in the last hundred years.

Most casinos have put severe limits on the ability of players to successfully count cards, and strategies can be difficult to use in most games.

However, the game remains as one of the most beloved across the world, and shows no signs of ever slowing down.