Unlike some casino games, the history of blackjack is actually a complicated subject. That’s because nobody can totally agree on the beginning of blackjack’s origins. Some people believe that the starting point for blackjack history didn’t begin until the game of “vingt-et-un” (twenty one) appeared in French casinos. Others say that blackjack is a descendant of the English card game Hazard, which was created during the 11th Century Crusades.
But one thing that people can agree on in regards to the history of blackjack is that similar games became very popular across Europe in the 1700’s. In the early 1800’s, several early versions of blackjack, like vingt-et-un, made their way across the ocean to America.
Blackjack was mainly played among early settlers during the 19th Century, and didn’t get much play in gambling halls until the early 1900’s. It’s surprising that blackjack actually has a history because most gamblers didn’t like the game in its early casino days. However, casinos worked to draw players in by offering bonuses and other payments – including the ace of spades/jack of spades hand bonus, which is where blackjack got its name.
The game became even more popular when Edward Thorpe learned how to beat casino blackjack by counting cards. Eventually, Thorpe went on to win a fortune, and write the 1962 book “Beat the Dealer.” The MIT Team, which consisted of various Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology students, was also successful at card counting and beating the casino in the 80’s and 90’s.
Blackjack is still very popular today due to the fact that players can use strategy to win profits.