Like most games with a storied history, Blackjack has a few different stories that try to explain its origins. Fortunately, most of them can be discounted, and we are left with a few tidbits that we do know are true.

The game has had a few different variations before it settled on the one we are most familiar with now. It also had quite a few names. Amongst the names are:

• Chemin de Fer
• French Ferme
• Vingt-et-un
• Twenty and One
• Ochko
• Pontoon

The earliest version that is known to exist was the French game 'chemin de fer', though not much is known about this age-old game. Then there was the game 'vingt-et-un', which literally means 'tweny-and-one' in French.

The British have long played a game called 'Pontoon' which some claim is the grandfather of modern-day Blackjack. However, this has yet to be proved. But whether or not this was the original game, the game of Pontoon Blackjack is now played at many online casinos and is growing in popularity.

The most widely accepted theory is that it is a French game that stayed in France until after the French Revolution, when it came to America. It became popular almost instantly, giving an alternative to Poker for card lovers.

The popularity was threatened, however by prohibition. When alcohol became illegal, card playing went underground, and casino rooms were almost empty. It wasn't until prohibition was repealed that it came back to popularity and gained steam, especially in Las Vegas where gambling had barely become legal. It took several years before Atlantic City got a hold of it, but now even they have their own variation of the rules to make the game a bit different.

Today it is one of the most popular games in the casino, and gaining popularity each day with the many variations that casinos have come up with to keep it fresh. At online casinos you can play multi-handed, with a bonus feature, chat features and even live dealers for an authentic casino feel.