Historically, the origin of the game of blackjack is disputed. The game of blackjack is claimed to have drawn its roots from a variety of card games. Some people believe that blackjack evolved from a French card game whose name translates to mean twenty-one, while others suspect blackjack’s family tree goes back as far as the Italian game of thirty-one. Regardless of where the game of blackjack came from, the fact remains that blackjack is amongst the most popular casino games online.
Prior to online blackjack, the game of blackjack was played leisurely in European and American casinos. When European Casinos featured the game of blackjack, they paid out ten to one when a player was dealt an ace of spades and a jack. This is where the game of blackjack drew its name, as it took a black ace and a jack in order to make “blackjack.”
The game of blackjack became one of the best games for professional gamblers, as one can reduce the casino or house’s edge by taking a strategic approach to the game. Blackjack is a math-based game and players can play optimally in order to cut down and even eliminate the edge the house holds over the players. This means that players can play “smartly” in order to beat the game consistently.
One of the pioneers of early blackjack strategy is Dr. Edward Thorp. Thorp revolutionized the game of blackjack by utilizing an IBM PC to further the understanding of blackjack strategy and even card counting. Due to Thorp’s work, online blackjack players and live blackjack players were able to use information provided by visible cards in order to determine whether the blackjack shoe contained mostly high cards or mostly low cards. This information tells the astute blackjack player whether hitting is in their best interest or standing is in the cards for marginal situation.
Today, blackjack is played and enjoyed by novices, hobby level players, and professional blackjack players alike. The game of blackjack can be played in most casinos that offer card or table games. Additionally, the Internet variation of blackjack (known as online blackjack) can be enjoyed by players of blackjack online at almost any reputable Internet casino.