The game of blackjack has long been a casino staple. From the casinos on the iconic Las Vegas Strip to the comfort of your home using a desktop or a mobile device, it still commands respect. Even today, it remains one of the more popular options – both offline and online. This guide will discuss how the online version of blackjack became one of the most popular in the entire digital world.
Even though blackjack has been around for centuries, it’s still an exciting game where it’s 21 or bust. The anticipation of a possible win comes at one turn of the card. Let’s delve deeper into what you need to know about online blackjack itself.
The Evolution of Blackjack
The first known games of blackjack were played as early as the 18th century in Europe. It is believed that it originated from France. However, some games were played in the United Kingdom as early as the 1780s. Back then, the game was identified as “vingt-un” – which is French for 21.
It was unclear when this game made its way to American shores. And it’s a mystery as to when the game itself arrived in casinos. Nonetheless, we now live in an age where you can play blackjack online without ever having to set foot in Las Vegas.
Blackjack’s Online Arrival
In 1994, online gambling began to emerge. It is believed that it was around this time that blackjack was accessible to play on the Internet. By 1996, there were only 15 online gambling websites in existence. That multiplied by ten the following year.
It’s hard to pinpoint what online gambling website introduced blackjack to the World Wide Web. But not surprisingly, it grew in popularity. However, Playtech was ahead of its time in 2003 when it soft-launched its Live Dealer version of the game. At the outset, it was aimed at the Asian market.
Over the years, the live dealer blackjack games were soon becoming more popular. This was all thanks to the advent of smartphones as well as faster Internet speeds compared to years past. Today the live dealer feature of online blackjack is continuing to gain popularity because of the close-to-reality experience players can enjoy.
What are the Advantages of Online Blackjack?
So now that you know a bit about the evolution of blackjack from its European roots to the present, we’re going to talk about the advantages. In particular, we’re going to be discussing the online version of the game. So here are the advantages that many players can experience, whether they are starting or recurring players:
- Live dealer games: As mentioned before, live dealer games are the closest you can get to a land-based casino experience. Whether it’s on your desktop, smartphone, or even in VR! It is perhaps one of the coolest features you’ll see on any online blackjack platform that offers it.
- Bonuses and promos: Of course, bonuses and promotions could also apply to your favorite blackjack game. It is important to take a look at the terms and conditions such as what blackjack game should be played to obtain the bonus.
- Variety of games: There are plenty of blackjack variations that you can choose from. If you have played American blackjack, why not try the European version? Not sure what Spanish 21 is? Give it a try, you might like it. The variety ensures that you have more than enough options when it comes to playing one of the most iconic casino table games ever invented.
- Easy access and convenience: We live in an age where online blackjack games are easily accessible. You can play it at home, on your desktop, or even on your smartphone. All it takes is a stable Wi-Fi connection and a compatible device. If you’re out and about, you can even play it on a mobile device. So either way, you can play your favorite games like Blackjack anytime, any place, with No opening or closing hours, no waiting in line, and no problem.
Online blackjack continues to be one of the more dominant casino games out there. It might compete with slots, roulette, and other iconic casino games. But it is the one game that has maintained its popularity over a few centuries. Its evolution has been nothing short of astounding. Especially when it has leveraged some of the modern technology to help improve the overall player experience.
