Casino

A Basic History of Blackjack

slots

Here in NetBet casino online, you can play thousands of exciting games. We’re not just talking about slots, which are well and truly entertaining. Every great online slots will have a variety of games on offer, including luck and skill-based table and card games which we’ll feature right here!

Blackjack History

Blackjack, or 21 as it’s known in many parts of the world, originated sometime in the XVIII century. It was first introduced in French casinos, becoming a popular card game for the elite. Compared to that version, blackjack online is vastly different. It’s still one of the most popular games you can play in online casinos, and together with poker and roulette, it’s the most popular casino trio.

At the time when it was first introduced, it was known as Vingt-en-un. That’s French for 21 which shows the goal of the game and doubles as its name. Many Historians believe that the game originate much earlier than the XVIII century, as it was mentioned in Miguel Cervantes’ Don Quixote novel. Regardless, it became popular in casinos after that, and decade by decade, it became the biggest gambling card game.

Later in the XVIII century, casinos started offering side bets on blackjack. Called special bets, their goal was to draw an even bigger crowd with payouts up to 10:1. At that time, blackjack was enjoyed by French aristocracy and the elite. It was the favorite card game of King Louis XV and famed military leader Napoleon Bonaparte.

French colonists brought the game to New Orleans some time later. The first legalized banked game took place in the city where the French had a strong presence. Blackjack got its biggest break after the legalization of gambling in Nevada in 1931, where it found a home and a base for further popularity.

Further Massive Growth

It didn’t take long for blackjack to become the top card game in Nevada casinos. The rest of the world caught up too. Blackjack was game #1 for card players, and enjoyed its biggest popularity surge in the 1970s and 1980s when the famous card counting team made millions in Las Vegas.

Looking further ahead, blackjack’s popularity went off the rails when the game came online. Now available for free practice and real money in NetBet casino, the online gaming space gave it a new lease of life. Today, blackjack comes in different variants that you can play against a computer or live dealers.

Live dealer blackjack is the most innovative variant so far. You get the full casino experience with a live dealer in tow and plenty of camera angles that show the action on your screens like you’ve never seen. Online gambling is here to stay, and blackjack is one of the main reasons for its success.

When you choose NetBet Casino, you can enjoy a whole range of top quality games. Whatever you choose, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at NetBet, player wellbeing is our number one priority – check out our Responsible Gambling tips and tools page for more information.