When we’re talking about table games in the casino industry, it’s hard to go by without mentioning the epic and beloved blackjack. In today’s article, we’ll be taking a look at how technology has changed the way we play blackjack. As you can probably imagine, there have been numerous changes and improvements in the overall gambling industry, but we’re going to focus on one of the most popular games that everyone should experience at least once in their life. Here is how the evolution of Blackjack altered the way we enjoy it throughout the years.
The History of Blackjack
First and foremost, let’s take a moment to look back and see how this legendary game started and where its roots came from. The first form of a card game that resembled blackjack goes all the way back to 17th-century Europe. That’s right, the prototype of this card game goes well over three centuries, which is simply astounding.
Of course, this wasn’t the game we all know and love today, but “Vingt-et-Un” is considered to be the main predecessor to blackjack. Later on in the 18th and 19th centuries, it spread to America where it experienced a great boom in popularity.
During this time, it was regularly being played in saloons all over the continent, with houses implementing additional betting options, which saw the first expansion of rules as well, while the Europeans remained with their set rules.
This all culminated in the prohibition era of blackjack in America at the beginning of the 20th century, where people could only experience it in illegal rooms. This phase ended during the 1930s and 1940s, with the rise of land-based casinos where people could finally play legally again.
After that, the game grew and grew across the world, with more and more people trying and enjoying it every single day. The game expanded as the industry expanded, and it has become a worldwide phenomenon that we all know today.
The Online Casino Boom
When taking a broader look at the whole industry, we can safely say that the biggest insurgence of punters came in with the appearance of online casinos. Today we know that the biggest chunk of gamblers is spending their time in an online environment, with the smaller amount still going to traditional land-based casinos.
Blackjack, like all the other casino games, saw an incredible increase in player population with the introduction of online gambling. By this time, every single person with an internet connection could experience this game, as it wasn’t only reserved for those who could enter a land-based casino.
Pure accessibility was the main selling point of online blackjack, and that was only the start of its increasing growth and popularity amongst casino fans. Before that playing casino games felt like something not every person can experience, and it was definitely true.
The online casino boom opened the world of blackjack and casino games to everyone who was interested in paying. People also didn’t need to deposit huge amounts of money just so they could enjoy it, as many online casinos allow players to place minimal bets in order to be able to play.
The Move to Mobile
While online casinos played a huge role in attracting more players to blackjack, the move to mobile was also an incredibly big leap for the game. Today, some would probably argue that the biggest population of players is playing on their mobile devices, even more so than on desktop computers.
With the ability to enjoy blackjack on the go or from the comfort of your own couch, even more, players have managed to try out this fantastic game. There is absolutely no sacrifice when you are playing on your mobile device, as the game is being played in the same manner as it is live or on your computer.
Mobile gambling has taken the industry by storm in the past couple of years, and we honestly can’t see this stopping in the future. More people have mobile phones than computers, so blackjack has become even more accessible than it ever was.
If you’ve been wanting to try out this game but are afraid that the mobile experience won’t be on par, you shouldn’t worry. You’ll be able to play it with no issues whatsoever.
A Myriad of Options
One of the biggest ways technology impacts the way we play blackjack is the fact that it allows us to experiment with different variations. If you don’t already know, blackjack has an astonishing number of different versions.
Whether you’re looking to play American, European, Spanish 21, or Pontoon, you’ll be able to do so in a couple of clicks. When you put this into perspective, people before could only play the blackjack version which was present at their local land-based casino.
Today, anyone can experience and discover different variants of blackjack by simply visiting the casinos they are offered at. This means that you can find your perfect variation in a very short manner, allowing you to play something that suits you the best, and we think that’s fantastic.
Taking into consideration how many different variations there are out there, it is going to take you quite some time to go through all of them, so we suggest that you search for online information about them in order to determine which one would be the best for you.
You can also experience many of these variations for free on the internet, so you don’t have to spend money on something that you might not like initially.
Live Dealer Vs. Computer
In the past, the only way people could play blackjack was with a live dealer in a land-based casino. Today, that has changed dramatically. While a lot of people still prefer to play this game with a live dealer online, there are those that prefer playing blackjack against a computer.
This is great because punters can choose which type of approach they like to most. Those who are looking for a more social experience where they can talk to other players and the dealer. It’s also a much more immersive experience for those looking to play something that feels like it’s in a real-life casino.
On the other hand, those who prefer to play their games in a more solitary environment will enjoy playing against the computer. This is a quicker way with no wait time between hands, and that is certainly a big advantage for those wanting a more explosive gaming session.
Information and Strategies
One of the less-talked about ways that technology has improved the way we play blackjack is the usage of information that is available on the internet for players to read up on and learn. Before, there were no other ways for people to get better at this game except to spend money and play more frequently in order to understand it better.
In today’s time, everyone can access thousands on top of thousands of different strategies, tips, and other useful information when it comes to blackjack and all other casino games.
This allows punters to become skilled when playing, which can in turn increase their chances of winning. Of course, luck is a huge factor in blackjack, just like in other gambling activities, but having more knowledge will decrease the luck factor for every single hand you are dealt.
While blackjack is certainly a game that doesn’t require players to invest a lot of hours in order to enjoy it and play it properly like poker for example, it’s still a very welcomed addition that punters can get better at their gaming sessions by simply reading up on all the strategies.
These types of blackjack strategies can be shared on websites that are specialized in improving player game skills, or it can be communicated directly between players via forums, discussions, and even the in-game chat rooms.
That’s why we always suggest that beginner players get engaged with the social aspect of blackjack, as it can benefit them in more than one way. Skilled world-famous blackjack players exist, and they didn’t become that by simply having a lot of luck.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we are all being witnesses when it comes to seeing how technology is changing the way blackjack is being enjoyed and played in online casinos. When we take a look back and see how everything started out, the game we know and love is barely unrecognizable. Accessibility is definitely the thing that made the biggest difference on a global scale. The fact that anyone can sit and start playing in a manner of minutes is probably the biggest change since the inception of the game. Players also have a lot more options allowing them to be entertained by variants that suit them personally, and they are encouraged to learn and read up on beneficial information that can assist them in getting better.
