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