In a world of blended cultures, we rarely stop to question where the everyday things, the mundane, and entertainment we take for granted originated. In this article, we’re going to take a look at three popular games that you will have heard of, if not played, and where they came from.
Let’s dive into a fun history lesson and perhaps gain some inspiration for playing one of our favorite games a little more! From board games to traditional games we play at the casino (or online), every game has an interesting story behind it.
Bingo: An Italian Medieval Game
While the game’s rules have altered over time, by the 18th century, bingo found a permanent fan base right here in the UK. Today, you can find bingo halls all over the country to play in a classic way or, for those players who prefer online gaming, all the elements of bingo can be enjoyed on the virtual counterparts for popular brick-and-mortar establishments such as Paddy Power’s online casino. There are the same titles and jackpots, such as Monopoly Live and Rainbow Riches: Pots of Gold, with additional online bonuses too. Playing bingo in the modern era is relatively straightforward and allows people to play from the comfort of their own home or on the go, should they desire.
Bingo is believed to have originated in Italy during the 1500s. It first became known as ‘Il gioca del lotto d’Italia’ which translates to ‘the game of lottery from Italy’. After its emergence in Italy, the game’s popularity expanded across France where it was titled in French ‘Le Lotto’. Well-loved among aristocrats, by the 18th century, the game had spread across the entire European continent and to the British Isles.
Poker: A 10th Century Chinese Emperor’s Favorite
While it’s not exactly clear where and when poker exactly originated, it is believed by many historians that the game is ancient, dating back almost 1,000 years. One belief is that the game originally was a domino-based game that emerged in 10th century China when it was played by an emperor at the time. The closest European version of poker in history is Poque, which originated in Germany during the 17th century.
When the French colonized North America, Poque was brought over. From this introduction, Poker’s popularity then spread up the Mississippi River and beyond with soldiers enjoying the pastime throughout the civil war.
Blackjack: A French Renaissance Activity
Though the exact origins of blackjack aren’t known, it is believed that this popular card game came about during the French Renaissance. Making an appearance in French casinos during the 1700s, the French cards were known as ‘Ving-et-un‘, which translated to ‘twenty-one’.
There is speculation around whether the game has earlier origins, in fact, some historians have claimed to trace blackjack back to the ancient Roman era. Like that of poker, blackjack was brought to the American shores due to colonization in the 18th century and soon became very popular. There is an old tale about an infamous blackjack player named Eleanor Dumont who would play people from all over the country.
Conclusion: Consider History Before Playing!
No matter your favorite casino game, there’s always interesting history that is worth knowing. The three examples of casino games above are just a selected few which have hopefully given you greater insight into where these fun games came from.