Over the centuries, people have constantly come up with ideas of games that can thrill the players, while earning them rewards. Back in Ancient Egypt, people of all ranks used to play Senet. This game consisted of a regular board with squares, pawns that were sometimes made out of precious materials, and four throwing sticks or a die. The goal of the game was to get from one side of the board to the other using a bit of strategy and a lot of luck.
Many games of chance have stood the test of time and are still enjoyed by a wide demographic. A great example of this is bingo, which was first introduced to the public in the 16th century. Bingo nowadays has numerous variants, and online bingo betting is one of the favorites. A prime example of the way games of chance have evolved, this modern iteration has kept the premise of the game but has added increased interactivity and various themes. Interestingly, these themes are often inspired by ancient cultures, such as Roman-inspired Slingo Centurion. However, other themes are inspired by pop culture, such as Rick and Morty and Deal or no Deal, which highlights the flexibility of the modern version of the pastime.
‘Playing roulette, Las Vegas, Nevada (74663)’ by Junkyardsparkle (CC0 1.0)
Short History of the Games of Chance
Games of chance have been enjoyed by people everywhere for centuries, with the first-ever recorded game of this kind being Senet. Senet was a pastime enjoyed by all classes of society as early as 3100 B.C. Queen Nefertari, also known as the Great Royal Wife, is even portrayed in one painting sitting at a table and playing this game against an invisible opponent.
Ancient Romans had their own game based on luck that resembles the game of dice that we know today. Regardless of their origins, it seems the games of chance were widely popular, mainly because they involved winning money or other valuable items, and because the rules were simple and didn’t leave any room for arguments between players.
Modern Games of Chance
Modern games of chance are quite different from the ones from ancient times and a lot more varied. Despite this, there are a few examples that use the ancient world as the main theme to attract players, such as the innovative slot games that can be found on most online casino platforms. Slots are a modern type of game of chance, with the first slot machine having been invented in 1894.
Overall, there are two types of games. There are those that require skill and strategy, such as chess, and those based on luck alone, like blackjack and roulette. There are, however, some games that combine the two, like poker. In poker, the cards are given at random, but the outcome depends on the strategy you decide to apply throughout the game and your ability to predict when it is better to pass and wait for the next round.
Most Popular Examples
As mentioned above, there are dozens of games of chance that have stood the test of time. Isn’t it strange that something that was enjoyed in Ancient Egypt is still played today? Apparently not, because human nature hasn’t changed much in that respect. We want to be entertained by games that are easy and fun to play, and that don’t require much of our mental energy.
Some of the most popular games, including baccarat, roulette, and craps can be found in casinos everywhere or online. Baccarat, which is James Bond’s favorite card game, depends only on luck. Players receive cards that represent a set number of points and whoever gets closest to nine points wins. That is it, no strategy involved and no tricks, just luck.
Games of chance have a long history and are as old as the ancient world. People seem to have always enjoyed this kind of entertainment and, considering the number of players that visit online casinos on a daily basis, it doesn’t seem like they will go away any time soon.