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The Early Days of Blackjack

The history of the game of blackjack is somewhat obscure. The
forerunner to the standard deck of blackjack cards, the same as any fifty-two card deck, first appeared in China and India, and became popular in Europe in the fourteenth century. The French created the modem deck of cards, based on Tarot cards, consisting of fifty-two cards and four suits.

Blackjack was the generic casino game (also known as Vingt-et-
un, Pontoon, Vanjohn, Einund-Zwanzig, Achtzehn-und-Drie, or
Twenty one), and its inventor is unknown. The popularity of gambling has ebbed and flowed throughout the history of the United States. Consumer complaints over illegal and fraudulent practices have caused governmental agencies to ban all types of gaming at one time or another. For instance, Nevada closed
its casinos in 1910, and did not resume legal gaming until the 1930s.

Mafia money led to the return of casino gambling in Nevada, and eventually state regulatory agencies gained control over the honesty of the games and the integrity of those financing the casinos.

The possibility of encountering fraudulent or dishonest gaming in this state is almost nonexistent at this time.

Edward Thorp changed the public attitude about casino gambling and blackjack when he wrote his 1962 book, Beat the Dealer, which gave players a statistically proven method of winning. The growth in the number of gamblers, ready to reap the benefits of Thorp's book, soon led to a major increase in clientele in Nevada. Casino owners quickly realized that more players equated more profits, since most of the newcomers failed to apply the proper playing strategies recommended in Thorp's book.

After his second edition was released, using juhan Bratin's
improvements in computer analysis, blackjack became as popular as craps in most Las Vegas casinos.

Legalized casino gambling went national in 1978, when Resorts
International opened in Atlantic City. Within two months, gross
profits from table games alone were in the $200,000 per day range, and at present there are eleven major casino resorts (with more under construction) in this New jersey coastal city.

Riverboat and tribal casinos have provided the most recent
geographic expansion in this industry. On April Fool's Day, 1991, riverboat gambling began in Iowa. Within the next two years, state governments in Illinois, Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri, and Indiana approved casino gaming on "water-based" facilities, and agreed to regulate these enterprises for a share of the profits.

The federal government opened the doors for legalized casinos on Indian reservations in 1988, with the enactment of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Public Law 100-497), leading to the establishment of casinos in many states where casino games are, still disallowed. The growth and development of tribal casino gaming is explained in the "Potpourri" chapter of this book.

Casino cruise ships have also gained popularity over the last ten years, especially in Florida. These ships operate outside of territorial waters, offering short "cruises to nowhere," thus avoiding taxing and regulatory restrictions. Major cruise lines have also expanded their casinos to accommodate their gaming oriented vacationers.

The casino gaming industry is currently in a state of continuous
growth, development, and adjustment, as this multi-billion doll"
industry attempts to market its product to the growing numbers of people who enjoy the recreational and potentially profitable benefits of this activity.

The knowledgeable gambler is the one who seeks out those
establishments that offer the best playing opportunities, and takes advantage of the many "perks" offered in this competitive marketing atmosphere.

Gambling in this country is reaching its greatest popularity at the present time. Indian gaming, riverboats, and gambling ships now compete with land-based casinos, horse and dog tracks, jai-alai palaces, bingo halls, lotteries, and poker rooms to the extent that as of 1994, forty-eight states and ten Canadian provinces now permit some form of legalized gambling. Governmental units need additional revenues, and are often willing to oversee the honesty and integrity of legalized gambling in order to receive a share of the profits.

Extract from The Ultimate Blackjack Book by Walter Thomason
Buy it here

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	The Early Days of Blackjack The history of the game of blackjack is somewhat obscure. The forerunner to the standard deck of blackjack cards, the same as any fifty-two card deck, first appeared in China and India, and became popular in Europe in the fourteenth century. The French created the modem deck of cards, based on Tarot cards, consisting of fifty-two cards and four suits. Blackjack was the generic casino game (also known as Vingt-et- un, Pontoon, Vanjohn, Einund-Zwanzig, Achtzehn-und-Drie, or Twenty one), and its inventor is unknown. The popularity of gambling has ebbed and flowed throughout the history of the United States. Consumer complaints over illegal and fraudulent practices have caused governmental agencies to ban all types of gaming at one time or another. For instance, Nevada closed its casinos in 1910, and did not resume legal gaming until the 1930s. Mafia money led to the return of casino gambling in Nevada, and eventually state regulatory agencies gained control over the honesty of the games and the integrity of those financing the casinos. The possibility of encountering fraudulent or dishonest gaming in this state is almost nonexistent at this time. Edward Thorp changed the public attitude about casino gambling and blackjack when he wrote his 1962 book, Beat the Dealer, which gave players a statistically proven method of winning. The growth in the number of gamblers, ready to reap the benefits of Thorp's book, soon led to a major increase in clientele in Nevada. Casino owners quickly realized that more players equated more profits, since most of the newcomers failed to apply the proper playing strategies recommended in Thorp's book. After his second edition was released, using juhan Bratin's improvements in computer analysis, blackjack became as popular as craps in most Las Vegas casinos. Legalized casino gambling went national in 1978, when Resorts International opened in Atlantic City. Within two months, gross profits from table games alone were in the $200,000 per day range, and at present there are eleven major casino resorts (with more under construction) in this New jersey coastal city. Riverboat and tribal casinos have provided the most recent geographic expansion in this industry. On April Fool's Day, 1991, riverboat gambling began in Iowa. Within the next two years, state governments in Illinois, Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri, and Indiana approved casino gaming on "water-based" facilities, and agreed to regulate these enterprises for a share of the profits. The federal government opened the doors for legalized casinos on Indian reservations in 1988, with the enactment of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Public Law 100-497), leading to the establishment of casinos in many states where casino games are, still disallowed. The growth and development of tribal casino gaming is explained in the "Potpourri" chapter of this book. Casino cruise ships have also gained popularity over the last ten years, especially in Florida. These ships operate outside of territorial waters, offering short "cruises to nowhere," thus avoiding taxing and regulatory restrictions. Major cruise lines have also expanded their casinos to accommodate their gaming oriented vacationers. The casino gaming industry is currently in a state of continuous growth, development, and adjustment, as this multi-billion doll" industry attempts to market its product to the growing numbers of people who enjoy the recreational and potentially profitable benefits of this activity. The knowledgeable gambler is the one who seeks out those establishments that offer the best playing opportunities, and takes advantage of the many "perks" offered in this competitive marketing atmosphere. Gambling in this country is reaching its greatest popularity at the present time. Indian gaming, riverboats, and gambling ships now compete with land-based casinos, horse and dog tracks, jai-alai palaces, bingo halls, lotteries, and poker rooms to the extent that as of 1994, forty-eight states and ten Canadian provinces now permit some form of legalized gambling. Governmental units need additional revenues, and are often willing to oversee the honesty and integrity of legalized gambling in order to receive a share of the profits. Extract from The Ultimate Blackjack Book by Walter Thomason Buy it here More Blackjack News and Information