| Blackjack - also known as 'twenty-one' and 'pontoon' - | | | | 10 points) and an ace (worth 11 points). With the |
| is a card game that nowadays is often found in a | | | | increasing popularity of the game the payouts were |
| casino with people trying their luck on achieving the | | | | phased out but the name 'blackjack' remained. |
| elusive '21'. It is widely believed that the game originated | | | | Blackjack isn't just about achieving an outright '21', but |
| in France during the 17th century. However, as with | | | | the primary challenge is to beat the dealer without |
| most other gambling games the precise evolution of | | | | going 'bust'. The casino obviously has an advantage |
| the game remains a mystery: suffice to say it has | | | | over the gambling players in the long run, but with |
| probably been around forever. | | | | blackjack the player retains an element of choice. |
| Blackjack was introduced to the United States | | | | Since 1931 when America first legalized gambling, |
| following the French Revolution, but the game didn't | | | | blackjack has become a classic casino card game. |
| become popular in the gambling dens until the casino | | | | Furthermore, it is the combination of both skill and math |
| offered payouts as a bonus. This was the only | | | | used in blackjack that has made the game hugely |
| method that seemed to get people gambling on | | | | popular. Blackjack provides an attractive proposition to |
| blackjack. One variation on the bonus payout was for | | | | any scientist, mathematician or gambling player wanting |
| a player to make '21' with the black jack card (worth | | | | to research the strategy of the game. |