If you want to find out more about Blackjack’s journey to America, before the time where sites would be available, offering out a casino bonus or two, and how the game has progressed into the game we recognise today, read on.Although the game of Blackjack didn’t originate in America, the country has a rich history with the casino classic. The iconic card game can be traced back to France in the 1700s – under the name Vingt-et-Un – and it was French colonists that were responsible for bringing the game further afield, across the seas.
Migration
Blackjack gradually spread to North America in the latter portion of the 1700s, thanks to French colonists who migrated over for work. The game then continued to evolve and gain more popularity throughout the country.
By 1820, Blackjack was also a hit in New Orleans, with legalised gambling establishments opening up across the town. However, the rules were slightly different to what we’re used to today – for example, only the dealer was allowed to double down on their hand.
Future is Female
Speaking of migration, one of the most noteworthy figures in the history of Blackjack is Eleanor Dumont, originally born in France. After making her way over to America, Dumont proved to be a skilled dealer and even went on to open her own gambling hall in Nevada City. Her presence in the gambling world was first met with a considerable amount of resistance, due to being female. But players soon looked past Dumont’s gender, and those who couldn’t, accepted it as a novelty. Her gaming house was called Vingt-et-Un and soon had prospective players flocking from far and wide just to play at one of her tables.
It’s all in the name
Across America, Blackjack had taken on the name 21; the translation of Vingt-et-Un. The game’s popularity grew further when it found its place in Nevada in 1931, as the state begun the process of legalising gambling and welcoming it into society. This was the beginning of the iconic Las Vegas Strip that we know and love today!
To draw more players to the game, the rules saw a few additions, and with it, a new name. A hand featuring either of the black jack cards (Spades or Clubs) alongside the Ace of Spades would pay out 10x a player’s bet. Whilst this exact payout was later dispelled, the concept of Blackjack remained, and gave the game a whole new name.
The rise of the internet
As you’ll most likely be aware, the world of online casino is constantly evolving, coming out with seemingly endless, and new, versions of our favourite games. As Blackjack stood as such a popular game within the brick-and-mortar casino scene, it comes as no surprise that it was also one of the first classics to be brought online.
The first online casinos only provided players with a standard version of online Blackjack – a far cry from what we’re used to today! Now, you can expect to find all kinds of adaptations of the casino classic, allowing you to get a piece of the action your way.
