- Gambling can be fun, but always do so legally and responsibly…
Casual card games have been around since the 14th century, and some places have placed the inception of casinos around the 16th century. Between those 200 years, card games evolved and became more competitive and suited to the gambling industry. Even with technological advancements and the evolution of the gambling industry, card games have remained a staple in online and offline casino activities.
Some card games like poker have become famous, with movies centred around them. Think of Rounders (1998) and Maverick (1994). Other card games that have stood the test of time and technology include Blackjack and Baccarat. Let’s delve deeper into these card games and discover what makes them so exciting and how they have changed over the centuries.
Poker
From songs to movies and multi-million dollar tournaments, poker is undoubtedly the celebrity of all casino card games. And not just any star but an influential chart-topping A-lister of a celebrity, it features in all major entertainment forms. It has also worked its way into colloquial language; many terms like ‘folding’ or ‘bluffing’ are from the game of poker.
Poker has been around since the 1800s and was introduced in the USA in the early 1900s, starting in New Orleans and working its way through the country. There are varying texts on where poker originated; some say Ireland hence the Irish word Poca, while others believe it’s France and are called Poque. Whatever you think, we all know what a ‘poker face’ is.
The next time you try out top casino card games at your local casino or online, you can make some interesting small talk about the game you are playing.
FYI:
- Poker is the only card game with a World Series and broadcasting rights, thousands of viewers and a pool prize of millions. We told you poker was the rock star.
- Richard Nixon funded his political campaign with winnings from a poker game; documented in one of his biographies, he won around $8,000.
- Over 600 books about poker on the market range from manuals to strategies, guides for beginners, autobiographies and fictional work.
Blackjack
Blackjack may not be as famous as poker, but it has made its mark in our world; remember how the movie 21 (2008) made us think we could count cards successfully? There are plenty of others like Rain Man (1988) and The Gambler (2014), and Casino (1995).
Blackjack aims to get closer to 21 than the dealer; you must do this without going bust. What makes Blackjack so appealing is that it’s simple to understand, and the rules remain the same; no matter how many people are at the table, your competitors are the dealer. This game is a combination of strategy, skill and luck. According to many gaming sites and experienced players, the game has outstanding odds compared to its fellow card games.
FYI:
- The MIT Blackjack team had a bestselling book written about them and the movie 21 detailing their iconic wins. They won over $50 million with more than 80 members worldwide during their run.
- Ben Affleck was banned from the Hard Rock Casino in Vegas because he had won too much at Blackjack.
- Players who mentally count cards can actually improve cognitive function and delay the onset of mental diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Baccarat
The rules of baccarat seem very complicated, but once you understand them, the game becomes easy to play. The game originated in Italy and was created in the 1400s, originally called ‘baccara’, which translates to zero. Blackjack, baccarat is one of those games with a low house edge, meaning you have more chances of winning, making it very popular with players.
Baccarat has only three possible outcomes: Banker win, Player win or tie. There are only two hands, the Player’s hand or the banker’s hand; bets are placed before dealing. Once all cards are dealt, you can calculate the winning hand and the sum closest to nine wins. There are more intricate rules in between, like when the third card can be played and what is a natural success. But the main aim is to get closest to nine.
FYI:
- Baccarat was King Charles VIII during his reign in the 16th century.
- The French version of baccarat is called chemin de fer.
- Author Ian Fleming loved and featured it in his first novel, which was made into the Bond movie Casino Royale.
In Closing
Everybody enjoys card games, even those we play for snacks with our family and friends; the possibility of winning or losing money makes casino games like poker more exciting. So enjoy your next round of Blackjack with a few new tidbits to share.
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