About the Game
This week I played a few rounds of Blackjack using an online simulator that I found at 247blackjack.com. Blackjack is an immensely popular card game, dating back hundreds of years with no single credited creator. Furthermore, according to Wikipedia, Blackjack is “the most widely played casino banking game in the world”. It is extremely easy to learn, quick to play, and can be adapted into dozens of variations to fit players’ needs; for these reasons, I would argue that the target demographic is basically anyone who enjoys games.
Why It’s Fun
In terms of sources of fun, I believe there are a few different ones that Blackjack draws from. First and foremost, I think that sensation is important to the enjoyment of Blackjack players. Shuffling cards, dealing them, and holding them in one’s hands can all be physically enjoyable, as well as hearing the sounds of the cards being shuffled or looking at a particularly nicely designed deck. Additionally, I believe that fellowship is a significant source of fun for Blackjack players. Although I played alone for this assignment, the game is often played with one’s friends and it can be a very social experience. Finally, I’d argue that Blackjack draws on expression as a source of fun. Blackjack allows players to express their decision-making skills and personal playing style, and it allows them to showcase their individual/unique approach to hitting, standing, etc.
Why It’s Addictive
As someone who has been warned many, many times not to step foot in a casino due to my affinity for gambling, I can easily see how someone could get addicted to playing this game. Blackjack is dangerous in that players likely feel a sense of control over their gameplay because they get to make decisions (they get to decide if they want to hit or stand) that are based on statistical odds. In reality, however, the game completely revolves around random chance since players cannot control what cards they are initially given, what cards they will be given if they hit, and what cards the house will receive.
Additionally, unlike with slot machines in which case a player will rarely ever win, players win quite frequently in Blackjack. This unpredictability in wins keeps players optimistic and excited as they keep chasing more and more wins. This mentality, however, often leads to players losing all of their money (as I did when I went to Reno a few months ago…).
[ actual photo of me losing a lot of my money at a casino in Reno in January ]
