One of the easiest card games to play, yet also quite challenging to truly master, blackjack has become one of the most popular card games around. Whether played at home with friends or against the dealer at a lively casino, one of the most appealing aspects to blackjack is that anyone can learn to play.
The basics of blackjack are quite easy to understand, making this a game that anyone can get to grips with pretty quickly. Although some players do formulate complex strategies, none are actually needed and aside from card counting, few have actually proven genuinely effective at beating the casino dealers. Essentially, you don’t need to be a mathematical genius to play blackjack. All you need is a little attention to detail and of course, some good fortune.
It has also been around for a lot longer than many people might think, with its origins actually discovered in the works of the famed Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, who mentioned a precursor to blackjack in Rinconete y Cortadillo, one of his short novellas. Originally known as vientiuna in the early 1600’s, the game spread in popularity throughout Europe before reaching American shores in the 1800’s, which is where the blackjack variant and name was developed.
How and where to play blackjack online
First and foremost, the key to becoming successful at blackjack is learning how to play the game. One great place to start is by reading through easy to understand arabianbetting.com guides, which detail the basics of how to play blackjack. This includes all the relevant blackjack terminology and game variants, such as Spanish 21, Pontoon, Super Fun 21, Switch, plus live dealer blackjack.
Once a little more familiar with blackjack gaming terms and the general rules of play, you can then put your knowledge to the test by playing at a free online virtual blackjack table, without risking any real money. The phrase “practice makes perfect” rings true here, because by getting plenty of practice playing blackjack for free, that will bring more confidence when it comes to playing with real cash.
Armed with more knowledge, the next step is discovering which online casinos offer the best blackjack gaming options. Thankfully, the Arabian Betting team has also provided a complete array of blackjack casino reviews, aimed at covering everything you need to know about each site, including the variety of blackjack games and the latest bonus offers available.
Famous big money winners and losers
Perhaps one of the most famous blackjack players of all time was Kerry Packer, an Australian media mogul. During a trip to Las Vegas in 1991, Packer won $7 million in just one night at the Hilton. Then in 1995 he went even better, remarkably winning $40 million in less than an hour at the MGM Grand. On the flip side in the late 1990’s, Packer lost £19 million in one day the Ritz Hotel in London, after they offered him his own private blackjack room.
Another renowned winner was Don Johnson, although not to be confused with the American actor of the same name. This particular Don was a professional blackjack player and former corporate executive, who had already earned a high roller reputation. In 2010 Johnson was given favourable terms to play blackjack at the Tropicana, Borgata, and Ceasars casinos. He walked away with $15 million in cash and they never welcomed him back again.
One of the most famous blackjack stories via snopes.com actually surrounds a nobody. In 1995, Las Vegas newspapers published the tale of Shoeless Joe, an 80-year-old vagrant who walked into the Treasure Island Casino with a $400 social security payment as funds, then walked out with more than $1.5 million in winnings. Apparently, he lost all that money in a matter of days, while the casino refuses to confirm if this is a true story or just an urban legend.
Blackjack boom in the digital age
Having become firmly established as one of the staple games found at land-based casinos, blackjack has really flourished in the digital age. Thanks to the rise of online casino gaming, accompanied by a growing preference towards casual gaming, blackjack is one of those games people can pick up easily and enjoy for a quick session, even if it’s just for a few rounds.
With less to learn and understand compared to other card games like poker, it’s easy to see why blackjack continues to thrive well into the twenty-first century. Quite apt, really, considering the fact that 21, veintiuna or vingt-un were the earliest names for the game. Perhaps this will be known as the century when blackjack truly took the world by storm.
