BLACKJACK HISTORY IN THE GAMBLING WORLD

In this Casino blog, we are going to discuss the history of blackjack, where it all started, some basic strategy, and how this game evolved over the years after having a surge in popularity after the World War. Enjoy a run through the history of one of the most popular card games, blackjack rules, and blackjack strategies and we will be sure to add some fun facts too.

HOW DID IT START?

Blackjack has a rich and fascinating history that traces its roots back to the French colonists. The game originally known as “Vingt-et-Un,” which translates to “21” in French, gained popularity in French casinos. Another belief is that the Romans played this game using wooden blocks. The popularity of the game moved to North America due to the French colonists in the late 17th/early 18th century with the first legalised banked game taking place in New Orleans. In 1931, when Nevada was granted a state legalisation of gambling, the game grew to become the casino staple we know today.

WHERE DOES BLACKJACK COME FROM?

If we had to name a place where Black Jack all started, it would be in France. The initial idea was by French casinos and later this was developed and refined mirroring the BlackJack Table that we have nowadays by the Americans. The name “Blackjack” itself has an interesting origin—it’s tied to a special bonus payout. In the early 20th century, casinos in the United States offered a bonus payout to players who held an Ace of Spades and a black Jack (either the Jack of Clubs or Jack of Spades) as their first two cards.

BLACKJACK IN EUROPE

Blackjack’s influence continued to spread across Europe, adapting to different variations as it gained popularity. In the 18th century, the game made its way to Great Britain, where it was referred to as “Pontoon.” The British version had some distinct rule differences but maintained the core objective of reaching twenty one without exceeding it.

Throughout the years, Blackjack underwent various transformations, with different regions putting their own spin on the game. In the early 20th century, the legalization of gambling in Nevada, USA, led to the game’s introduction into American casinos. The bonus payout for an Ace of Spades and a black Jack, which gave birth to the name “Blackjack,” was a promotional strategy to attract players.

BLACKJACK OVER THE OCEAN

As Blackjack crossed the Atlantic Ocean, it underwent further developments and adaptations that contributed to its global appeal. In the United States, particularly in Nevada, where gambling became legal in the early 20th century, Blackjack became a centerpiece in casinos. The classic rules of the game solidified, emphasizing the goal of reaching twenty one without going over.

The 20th century also witnessed the introduction of multiple decks in Blackjack games, a practice aimed at thwarting card counters. Casinos began using multiple decks shuffled together to make counting cards more challenging as previously this was considered to be one of the single deck games. This change added a layer of complexity to the game and altered the dynamics of strategy for players.

EVOLUTION OF THE RULES OF BLACKJACK CARD GAME

The rules of Blackjack have evolved over time, influenced by cultural, regional, and casino-specific variations. Let’s see how the rules developed from the legalized gambling halls to the various gaming platforms that we use today.

1. Early Variations: In its early days in France, the game was called “Vingt-et-Un” and had basic rules that resembled the modern version. As Blackjack spread to other parts of Europe and North America, variations emerged, leading to differences in rules such as the number of decks used and whether the dealer could hit or stand on a soft 17. In the early form of Blackjack only the dealer was allowed to double.
2. Introduction of Bonus Payout: In the early 20th century, casinos in the United States introduced a special bonus payout to attract players. If a player had an Ace of Spades and a black Jack (either Clubs or Spades), they received a higher payout.
3. Multiple Decks: To counter count cards strategies, casinos started using multiple decks shuffled together. This change, which became more prevalent in the mid-20th century, made it more challenging for players to keep track of specific cards.
4. Doubling Down and Splitting Pairs: The rules around doubling down and splitting pairs have evolved. Originally, some variations of the game didn’t allow players to double down or split at all. Over time, these actions became standard features in Blackjack, allowing players to increase their bets and potentially improve their hands.

If you want a more comprehensive overview of Blackjack rules we have a dedicated blog amongst other casino games.

WHEN DID BLACKJACK BECOME SO POPULAR AMONG CASINO PLAYERS?

Various points in the history of BlackJack increased its popularity worldwide and to mention the most influential we can start off with the legalization of gambling in Nevada City, Blackjack found its way into the newly established casinos in Las Vegas. The gambling hall was taken by storm by the simplicity of the game rules and it spread to other casinos. Thorp’s literature was highly influential in why the game grew and the rise of players counting cards. Tournaments started happening as well due to the high interest in the game and blackjack players taking professional blackjack as their career. Online and mobile casinos was the latest surge in popularity of the twenty-one card game, opening the doors to blackjack to the whole world and the introduction of a skilled dealer.

CARD COUNTING IN BLACKJACK OVER TIME

Card counting is a strategic technique in Blackjack where players keep track of the relative proportion of high-value to low-value cards remaining in the deck. The idea is that a deck rich in high cards is favorable to the player, as it increases the likelihood of getting natural blackjacks and improves the odds of the dealer busting. Here’s a brief overview of the evolution of card counting in Blackjack:

1. Edward O. Thorp’s Contribution (1960s): The modern era of card counting began with the publication of Edward O. Thorp’s book “Beat the Dealer” in 1962. Thorp introduced the concept of using mathematical principles to gain an advantage in Blackjack. His method, known as the Ten-Count, was relatively simple compared to later techniques but was groundbreaking at the time.
2. Hi-Lo System (1960s-1970s): Developed by Harvey Dubner, the Hi-Lo system refined Thorp’s methods. It assigned values of +1, 0, and -1 to different groups of cards. Players would keep a running count based on the cards dealt, allowing them to adjust their bets and playing strategy according to the remaining composition of the deck.
3. Team Play and Strategic Collaboration (1970s-1980s): As casinos became aware of card counting, they implemented countermeasures such as multiple decks and reshuffling. In response, Blackjack teams emerged, employing multiple players and strategic collaboration to disguise this trend.
4. Advanced Card Counting Systems (1980s-1990s): Card counting systems continued to evolve with more advanced techniques, including the development of multi-level counting systems. These systems assigned different values to cards and required players to keep track of the count with greater precision. Dive in the depths of blackjack card values in this specialised blog by HotSlots.

FIRST STRATEGIES WHEN PLAYING BLACKJACK

The first Blackjack strategies that we know about are simple and not at all sophisticated as the ones that we have developed through the history of blackjack. It’s very normal that such a popular game, mathematicians analyse the odds and figure out a way to beat the dealer’s hand. To name a few:

• Basic Strategy: The concept of this strategy involves making decisions based on the player’s hand and the dealer’s upcard. This strategy, rooted in probability and mathematics, provides guidelines on when to hit, stand, double down, or split. It forms the foundation for more advanced strategies and is still widely used today.
• Card Counting: Counting Cards became more prominent in the 1960s with the publication of a specialised book by Edward O. Thorp named ”Beat The Dealer”. Early card counters would keep track of high and low cards to gain an advantage, but their methods were not as sophisticated as contemporary card counting techniques.

BLACKJACK AS THE MOST POPULAR CASINO GAME

The simplicity of the game is what makes it so popular, starting off from the royal court in France and elites including King Louis XV’s mistress and Napoleon Bonaparte, were huge fans of the game. An added element that makes Blackjack so popular is the minimal house advantage, this is the lead casino possesses over the player. In traditional slots, this can be seen at 10% but when played correctly, Blackjack only has a 1% house edge.

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON THE GAME OF BLACKJACK

As with other games, European casinos flourished by the technological advancements that transformed the Blackjack hall into a worldwide accessible game. This not only increased players but also decreased the chances of card counting during games.

HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD PLAY BLACKJACK?

It’s impossible to account a specific number of players as different countries have different regulations in terms of gambling, but this game is widely available in more than 100 countries and it’s popularity cannot be disputed. In 2018, an American study conducted that 18% of all players prefer Blackjack to other games.

FAMOUS PLAYERS WHO MADE BLACKJACK HISTORY

1. Don Johnson: In 2011, Don Johnson made headlines for his extraordinary winning streak in Blackjack. Johnson negotiated favorable playing conditions, including high-stakes games and favorable rules, to win millions from several Atlantic City casinos.
2. Stanford Wong (John Ferguson): An expert in Blackjack strategy and author of numerous books, including “Professional Blackjack,” Stanford Wong is renowned for popularizing the concept of team play in Blackjack and developing various card counting techniques.
3. Tommy Hyland: As the founder and manager of one of the longest-running Blackjack teams, Tommy Hyland has been a prominent figure in the world of professional Blackjack. His team has successfully employed card counting strategies over the years.

THE BIGGEST WINNINGS IN BLACKJACK HISTORY

1. Kerry Packer’s High-Stakes Play: Australian media mogul Kerry Packer was known for his high-stakes gambling, including Blackjack. Packer was reported to have won and lost millions in various gambling sessions, with some accounts suggesting wins of $20 million or more in a single night.
2. The “Run” at the Maxim Casino (1980): A team of Blackjack players led by Tommy Hyland experienced a remarkable winning streak at the Maxim Casino in Las Vegas in 1980. The team reportedly won several million dollars during this extended run.
3. The Rampart Casino Incident (1997): David J. O’Connor, a Blackjack player, achieved significant success at the Rampart Casino in Las Vegas in 1997. O’Connor was reported to have won over $1 million during a hot streak, prompting the casino to sue him for fraud.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BLACKJACK’S HISTORY

• Blackjack Hall of Fame: In 2002, the Barona Casino in San Diego established the Blackjack Hall of Fame to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the game. Inductees include Edward O. Thorp, Ken Uston, and Stanford Wong, among others.

• Atlantic City Heist (1981): A team of Blackjack players, including card counter Ken Uston, successfully executed a heist at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City in 1981. They exploited a flaw in the casino’s card-shuffling machines, leading to substantial winnings.

CAN MOBILE APPLICATIONS REPLACE TRADITIONAL BLACKJACK CASINO GAMES?

While mobile applications and online platforms have become increasingly popular for playing Blackjack, they may not completely replace traditional Blackjack casino games for everyone. Each option has its advantages and limitations, and the choice between them often depends on personal preferences.