Here in NetBet casino UK, you can play thousands of exciting games. We’re not just talking about slots, which are well and truly entertaining. Every great casino site will have a variety of games on offer, including online blackjack and other luck and skill-based table and card games which we’ll feature right here!
The Origins of Blackjack
Historians have been debating the origins of blackjack for some time. The sophisticated game of 21 has millions of fans around the world, but do you know where it all started? Is it a French game like most historians think?
There’s quite the discrepancy when it comes to the origins of blackjack. Its first mention (as Vingt Et Un) was in the great Miguel de Cervantes’ book Rinconete y Cortadillo in the XIII century. Cervantes himself was a gambler, and the two characters from the book are described as cheaters in a game of veintiuna. That’s Spanish for twenty-one. The rules of the game in the book closely resemble blackjack’s rules, so the game most likely had a Spanish origin.
Other historians disagree, believing that the game originated in France. The first record of Vingt Et Un indeed comes from France, observed in 1888. However, the first rules of the game were mentioned in Britain in the beginning of the XIX century. In the USA, it first appeared in the late 1800s. Twenty One enjoyed quite a successful spell in the States, becoming a separate, American variant renamed to blackjack around 1899.
So, what’s the truth? Most likely, the game originated in France and arrived to Spain much earlier than most historians believe as indicated by Cervantes’ novel. Due to the name, it’s most likely of French descent, although the truth may never be revealed.
A Game for Aristocrats
Another French fact that goes into blackjack’s French origin favour is the fact that it was a game enjoyed by French aristocracy. Vingt Et Un was enjoyed among French royal courts, and was apparently a favourite of King Louis XV’s mistresses. Napoleon Bonaparte was fond of it as well. He played the game regularly between challenging battles as a way to relax and take his mind off battle.
This goes against historical facts that card games were prohibited among his soldiers. But, many historians believe in the opposite, that card games were a popular way to relax on the battlefield, and that one of the key French leaders loved it too.
Regardless of its origins, the popularity of blackjack spread like wildfire around the world. Eventually, it found a home in the USA, especially in Las Vegas, where it became the dominant game in the XX century.
Players nowadays rarely give its origins a thought, instead focusing on becoming better blackjack players. With that many free and real money variants available in NetBet, you can try it yourself too.
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.
