Very little is known about the origins of online blackjack despite its popularity in land-based and online casinos across the world. The first reference to blackjack is understood to be in a 17th Century novel by Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. The short story, 'Rinconete y Cortadillo', follows two card cheats living in Seville. One chapter features a game closely resembling modern online blackjack. The novel reveals several striking similarities between this early version of blackjack and modern online blackjack enjoyed at Kerching online casino. These similarities included:
- The game played by these characters was called 'Veintiuna'; Spanish for twenty-one.
- The aim of the game was to reach twenty-one points without going bust.
- In the game, an ace was valued at one or eleven.
References to the game have also been found in the same period from literary works in France and Spain. As a result, historians have estimated that blackjack was created sometime in the 17th Century.
Online blackjack beginnings - American blackjack
When blackjack was first introduced to America in the 18th Century, the game had difficulty attracting players. Blackjack was not as popular in America as it is now and casinos in the United States started offering various bonuses in the game in an effort to increase the number of players. One such bonus was a ten-to-one payout given to contestants if their hand included the Ace of Spades and a Black Jack. This led to the game gaining the name 'blackjack'. The name stuck, even though the bonus was soon abolished. Later, blackjack's popularity boomed with the birth of Las Vegas as a gaming capital in the 1930s. It was one of the most successful casino games in the city.
Online blackjack
Blackjack is an established online casino game. Due to its enduring popularity, many online casinos offer players several versions of online blackjack. Kerching online casino has a wide selection of online blackjack titles and a range of traditional games are available for players as well as a number of modern varieties. Titles such as Double Attack Blackjack and Power Blackjack offer slightly different types of online blackjack. These games give players more advantages and bonuses than traditional blackjack while retaining the basic gameplay of the historic game.
Online blackjack bonus games
Kerching Casino has a fantastic selection of online blackjack titles with bonus bets. These games offer blackjack players the chance to substantially increase their winnings. Online casino blackjack titles with bonuses include:
- Double Attack Blackjack
- 21 Plus 3 Blackjack
- Power Blackjack
- Blackjack with Hot Streak Bonus
Double Attack Blackjack
Double Attack Blackjack gives online casino gamers generous opportunities to increase their winnings. This online blackjack title allows players to double their bet after seeing The Dealer's first card. This bonus feature gives online blackjack gamers the chance to benefit from The House's weak deal. Double Attack Blackjack also allows online casino players to surrender a weak hand - recouping half of their bet - and a 3 to 1 pay on an Insurance Bet win.
21 Plus 3 Blackjack
21 Plus 3 Blackjack combines a traditional game of blackjack with Three Card Poker. Online blackjack players have the chance to win payouts of up to 100 to 1 with this exciting casino game. Players receive a bonus payout if they can make a poker hand from The Dealer's first card and their own deal. This simple bonus feature is popular among online blackjack players and 21 Plus 3 Blackjack is one of the most played games at Kerching online casino.
Power Blackjack
Power Blackjack is a unique online casino game. This online blackjack title allows casino gamers to split on a hard deal of 15 or 16, turning a weak hand into two separate hands. This online blackjack title also gives casino players the chance to request a second double down card on an initial deal of 9, 10 or 11. These features give players more strategies to win blackjack than they would normally have.
Blackjack with Hot Streak Bonus
Blackjack with Hot Streak Bonus awards online casino players multipliers for consecutive wins. This online blackjack title grants bonuses of up to 6x when casino gamers rack up repeated wins. These bonus payouts are:
- Two consecutive wins award online casino players a 1.5x bonus
- Online casino players with three repeated wins are given a 4x bonus
- This online blackjack game awards a 6x multiplier for four straight wins
The future of online blackjack
So what can online blackjack fans look forward to in the future? As technology improves, and computers become more powerful, players can be sure that new blackjack games will be even more entertaining and engaging. Here are just some theories about the evolution of online blackjack:
Incredible graphics
Online blackjack titles may one day look identical to land-based casino games. The graphics in recent blackjack releases are very impressive and as the ability to design lifelike games becomes a reality, players will start to see titles with incredibly realistic features.
Fantastic sound effects
Every Kerching Casino blackjack game has thrilling sound effects. As technology becomes more efficient, members will begin to experience games with even better audio detail. These titles may include extended dealer commentary or real-world casino sound effects.
Bonus features
Blackjack titles with bonus features give gamers an incredible casino experience. These games are incredibly popular, offering members the opportunity to win amazing cash prizes. In the future, players may begin to see even more bonus blackjack games. These titles will offer a unique experience of the table favourite, presenting gamers with the opportunity to claim huge payouts.
Mobile blackjack games
The popularity of mobile slots games means that online blackjack could soon find its way to mobile phones across the United Kingdom. Blackjack fans may soon be able to enjoy their favourite casino game away from their computer.