02.17
Background of Twenty-one
Blackjack – also referred to as ‘twenty one’ and ‘pontoon’ – is a game that is generally found in a betting house with players attempting their luck on achieving the elusive ‘21′. It is commonly presumed that the game originated in France during the 17th century. However, as with most other casino games the exact evolution of the game remains a mystery.
Twenty-one was introduced to the U.S. after the French Revolution, but the game did not become favored in the gambling dens until the casino provided bonus payouts. This was the only way that seemed to get gamblers wagering on black jack. One variant on the bonus pay out was for a gambler to make ‘21′ with the black jack card (valued at 10 points) and an ace (worth 11 points). With the increasing popularity of the game the pay outs were canceled but the name ‘twenty-one’ remained.
Chemin de fer isn’t simply about achieving an immediate ‘21′, but the primary adventure is to beat the dealer without busting. The casino obviously has a house edge over the twenty-one players in the long term, but with twenty-one the player retains an element of choice.
Since nineteen thirty one when the U.S. first legitimized wagering, chemin de fer has grown into a classic betting house game. Furthermore, it’s the joining of both ability and math used in blackjack that has caused the game to be hugely popular. Black jack affords an alluring proposition to any academic, mathematician or gambling player wanting to research the strategy of the game.
