When people talk about games these days they might be referring to console games and modern computer games. These may have some history but they can’t boast the hundreds of years of historic evolution that some casino games have. It is sometimes interesting to think about how and when historic games were played (casino games and otherwise). Chess was first played in the 6th century, for example. It is quite amazing to think of all the different versions of the game and how many hours people have put into playing this game.
It’s nothing against the newer games but there is definitely an entertaining story behind some of the games on the market…
The Digital Revolution of Games
Not many games have stayed away from the digital revolution. The benefits of digital gaming mean a lot of people choose these over the physical alternative and play on their mobile devices or computers.
It was in the 1990s when gaming really became an online proposition. These were the early days of the internet but it was a time when slot games and similar options first went online.
It is fair to say that playing casino games for real money online is easier than ever before and the games are far more accessible than they were when they first went online in a time before we even had the first ever Playstation console. A lot has changed since then and this has led to more options than ever for players.
Craps – Evolved From Hazard
Craps is one of the quickest and simplest games in casinos and its history is fascinating. The game’s origins trace back to an English dice game called Hazard which dates to the Middle Ages. Hazard eventually made its way to France where it became popular among the aristocracy under the name crapaud which means toad. Some people think this is a reference to the pose people made when they were rolling the dice.
When French colonists brought the game to America it evolved into what we now know as craps. The name evolved from crapaud. Simplified rules and a new betting system allowed it to spread quickly through the U.S. and this happened a lot during the 19th century. Craps is now an option for online play along with many other early casino games. The shooter’s roll of the dice determines everything in a game that people can quickly understand.
Poker – The Game of Strategy and Bluffing
Poker has one of the richest and most debated histories of any gambling game. Its origins likely blend elements of several older card games including a Persian game called As Nas and a French game known as Poque which gave poker its name. It became a staple in the United States in the 19th century.
Poker evolved with American influence and Texas Hold’em is the most famous version. Players compete by creating the best hand or convincing their opponents they have the best hand through skillful bluffing. The game’s strategic depth and strategy are some of the reasons why people enjoy it.
Bluffing is quite a unique concept in terms of games and it is something poker has become known for. It is one of the many USPs of this game along with tournament play which is something of an attraction in itself. People watch others play in these tournaments like they might watch football or other sports and there can also be a lot of twists and turns as we see in the video below.
Blackjack
Blackjack started out being called a lot of different things including 21 and Pontoon before getting its more commonly-known name. The game boasts a history as mysterious as its strategies. The game first appeared in 17th-century Spain as referenced in Miguel de Cervantes’ novel Don Quixote. At the time, it was known as Veintiuna (Spanish for 21) and involved drawing cards to reach a total of 21 without exceeding it.
The game gained popularity in France, where it was called Vingt-et-Un – also meaning 21 – before crossing the Atlantic to America. Early U.S. casinos are thought to have special payouts for hands featuring an ace of spades and a black jack card (a jack of spades or clubs), giving the game its current name.
Conclusion
Some of the games played at casinos today may be hundreds of years old or even date as far back as the Middle Ages. When Hazard was first played, there was no concept of the internet or a computer and this was one of the only forms of entertainment. It is all the more impressive then that the game stayed popular in a world of internet gaming and consoles where people can play in hyperrealistic worlds. Sometimes the best concepts for games just stick!