Blackjack – also referred to as ‘twenty one’ and ‘pontoon’ – is a card game that nowadays is generally seen in a casino with people trying their fortune on achieving the elusive ‘twenty one’. It is widely believed that the game originated in France amid the 1600’s. However, as with most other casino games the exact development of the game remains a mystery.
Black jack was introduced to the U.S. after the French Revolution, but the game didn’t become favored in the betting houses until the casino offered bonus payouts. This was the only method that appeared to get gamblers wagering on blackjack. One variation on the bonus pay out was for a gambler to acquire ‘twenty one’ with the blackjack card (worth 10 points) and an ace (worth 11 points). With the increasing appeal of the game the pay outs were canceled but the name of the game ‘blackjack’ stayed.
Twenty-one is not just about achieving an outright ‘twenty one’, but the main adventure is to defeat the dealer without busting. The casino obviously has an advantage over the gambling players over the long term, but with black jack the player retains a bit of choice.
Since 1931 when the U.S. initial approved wagering, black jack has grown into a traditional gambling den card game. Furthermore, it’s the blending of both skill and mathematics utilized in black jack that has caused the game to be hugely popular. Blackjack provides an attractive proposition to any academic, math guy or gambling player wanting to research the tactic of the game.
