Is Blackjack the Original Skill-Based RPG? A Deep Dive for Canadian Gamers

We are spoiled when it comes to gaming, as we live in an era of overabundance with dozens of different genres to choose from. Back in pre-digital world, gaming options were much more limited and people had to make do with what was available. Since virtually anyone can get a deck of cards, games like blackjack brought the opportunity to demonstrate mental sharpness and gaming skill in friendly showdowns with friends or strangers.

To win at blackjack, it’s necessary to embrace a style and perfect it to the highest level. If that sounds a lot like modern RPGs, that’s because blackjack and similar games provided a blueprint for today’s game developers to follow. Let’s explore this link between card playing and role playing games.

The Role of Cards in Pre-Digital Times

Computers can instantly simulate as many outcomes as needed, and we are so used to this that we forget how tricky it was to randomise before digital technology was around. You basically needed a physical system that could provide truly unpredictable input, and two of the most convenient ones were playing cards and dice. With a deck of cards, you could play a wide variety of games ranging from solitaire to poker that were suitable for different social situations. Kids growing up in those times would learn a couple of card games before they knew how to read and write. Some card games like blackjack were reserved for adults and often played for small money (and/or bragging rights), providing a ready-made way for a group of friends to have a skill-based competition.

Blackjack As A Mix of Skill, Boldness, and Luck

To win at blackjack, several factors need to be aligned. This is a game based on random drawing of cards from a deck, but anyone who thinks luck is the primary driver of success knows nothing about it. A good blackjack player needs to have a deep understanding of probabilities and a keen mind to apply them to practical situations. The game also requires a good deal of audacity, and top players pick their spots to take risks and chase a big win. You will still need Lady Luck to smile at you from time to time, but unless you are ready to capitalise when that happens it might all be for nothing. This is why blackjack can be regarded as the prototype of many video games that force the player to make tough choices and wait for the right moment to push forward.

Every Blackjack Player Belongs to a ‘Class’

In role playing games, player’s choices are often formalised as a character class or branch of the skill tree. Specialisation is necessary in order to solve advanced quests and equip powerful items. While blackjack doesn’t offer such nuanced possibilities for differentiation, it relies on a similar principle. Each player approaches the game in a specific way – some are cautious and methodical, others like to be more aggressive and push the limits. These roles can be flexible, but most players adopt a style and try to become very good at it. While it might be a stretch to describe aggressive blackjack players as ‘mages’ and risk-averse ones as ‘priests’, it’s not hard to see that the analogy stands. We can’t really describe blackjack as a true RPG, but some of its characteristics definitely fit the essentials of this genre.

Calculating the Odds in Real Time to Gain an Edge

Regardless of your preferred style, you must be able to determine your odds of success in every situation and make your decisions accordingly. This is true in RPGs as well as card games, and players who know when to walk away tend to do better in the long run. It all comes down to simple mathematics, but there are a lot of factors in play and the time to crunch the numbers is very short. When they are preparing for blackjack Canada players try to go through as many hands as possible to get a better feel for the odds. That’s quite similar to doing a test run in a video game so you can put together a strategic campaign that uses an optimal character.

Are Blackjack Players Good at Video Games?

If these games follow a similar blueprint, it would be logical to expect that blackjack players can master RPG games quickly, and vice versa. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. While some skills certainly transfer, every game requires a very specific mindset that can’t just be imported. Even the best blackjack players would need an adjustment period to get used to terminology and the complexity of the interface. Still, if you want to become better at RPG games, practicing a bit of blackjack isn’t the worst idea. The game is deceptively simple but has a lot of depth, and it gives you a chance to determine how high your tolerance for risk really is. Since all you need is a deck of cards or a membership at a Canadian casino site, you can practice as much as you like on your own.

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