Throughout its history, Blackjack has been one of the most popular games in the world. The basic rules are simple enough for a child to learn, but in order to win a game when at a casino, a player must be observant and deliberate.

Most people originally learn to play Blackjack as children in their homes; a tradition started during World War I when the troops came home and introduced their new favorite game to their friends and families. Blackjack has become a much-debated game as people try to discover whether strategies, such as card counting, can actually help increase a player’s odds of winning.

How Blackjack Got Its Name

Blackjack got its name from the course of play throughout the game. When a player had both a Jack and an Ace of Spades in the first hand, the player was paid extra. Thus, spades, which are black, are considered important as are Jacks; hence, the name Blackjack. Many followers believe that the name was changed while troops were overseas during World War I.

History of the Game

No one really knows when or where Blackjack first appeared. However, most people assume that Blackjack originated from French games such as "chemin de fer" and "French Ferme.” Around 1700, the French began to play Blackjack in casinos where it was called “vingt-et-un,” or “twenty-one.” As the French spread throughout the world, the game began to follow, eventually coming to the United States during the 1800s.

Increasing Popularity of Blackjack

During World War I, Blackjack became increasingly popular with the troops overseas. Because of the simple rules and quick play of Blackjack, troops were able to play anytime and anywhere; within those few short years, it became their most popular banking game.

When the war ended, the troops came home, and Blackjack hit the casinos. Blackjack beat Faro as the most played game in the casinos of Las Vegas and Reno. Although it had been around since the 1880s, the game became a legend during this time. Today, thousands of people play Blackjack in and out of the casinos.