Blackjack – also referred to as ‘twenty-one’ and ‘pontoon’ – is a game that is often found in a casino with people trying their fortune on acquiring the elusive ‘21′. It’s commonly presumed that the game came into existence in France through the 1600’s. However, as with many other betting games the precise evolution of the game is a mystery.
Black jack was introduced to the States following the French Revolution, but the game didn’t become favored in the casinos until the casino provided bonus payouts. This was the only way that appeared to get players betting on black jack. One variant on the reward payout was for a gambler to make ‘twenty-one’ with the black jack card (valued at ten points) and an ace (given a value of 11 points). With the expanding popularity of the game the bonus pay outs were canceled but the name ‘pontoon’ stayed.
Black jack isn’t simply about acquiring an outright ‘21′, but the main challenge is to beat the croupier without busting. The casino certainly has a house edge over the twenty-one players in the long run, but with blackjack the gambler retains an element of choice.
Since nineteen thirty one when the U.S. first legalized gambling, black jack has grown into a quintessential betting house card game. Furthermore, it’s the fusion of both skill and mathematics utilized in pontoon that has made the game hugely popular. Pontoon affords an alluring adventure to any scientist, math guy or wagering player wanting to analyze the strategy of the game.