Top 5 Blackjack Events Around the World

Blackjack is one of the most popular gambling games in the world. Played in casinos all around the globe, the game draws in a vast crowd of gamblers, casual and dedicated. The reasons for blackjack’s popularity are plentiful. The game is fun, exciting, challenging, and has excellent player odds. Not to mention, players benefit from formulating a strategy.

Blackjack Strategies

Many believe that blackjack is purely luck-based. And while a certain degree of luck is involved, players need a good strategy to play blackjack properly. The most notable blackjack tactics require players to manage their bankroll adequately. A lot of newbies miss this step and end up in trouble. However, if you learn blackjack bankroll strategies, you will have a much easier time navigating a game. You might even become so good that you will reach one of the top 5 blackjack events we will discuss in this article. So, without further ado, let us look at the most prestigious blackjack events.

1. World Series of Blackjack

Many of us are familiar with the World Series of Poker franchise. Fewer may know about the equally prestigious and influential World Series of Blackjack (WSOB) event. As you can imagine, the WSOB is undoubtedly the essential blackjack tournament.

The World Series features several classic blackjack games while peppering in some unique variants. And, of course, the winners get to take home substantial sums of cash. And where is this event held? Where else is the Capital of Casinos, Sin City, Las Vegas?

Las Vegas is not just the capital of gambling but one of the biggest entertainment hubs in the country. The city has much to offer, from spectacular dance shows to fabulous life-changing magic shows. So, even just visiting during the WSOB tournament is worth the effort.

2. European Blackjack Championship

From the USA, we go across the pond to Europe. Next to the WSOB, the European Blackjack Championship might be the most prestigious event. Unlike the World Series, the European Championship has no set location. Instead, it is held in various European countries and may even include online games sometimes.

The European Blackjack Championship brings in players from all over the continent. What draws them is not the substantial cash prizes but rather the prestige of the title that winning the tournament brings. The last player standing becomes Europe’s blackjack champion and goes down in history as one of the best players ever.

3. The Blackjack Ball

Once more, we return to Las Vegas to look at the Blackjack Ball. The invitation-only event brings together 100 of the best gamblers from all over the world. What sets these 100 apart from the rest of the gambling world? They all have, in some way, beat the casinos at their own game. In other words, the attendees of the Blackjack Ball are the best advantage players in the world. Another trait these gamblers share is that they all must be nominees for the Blackjack Hall of Fame. Speaking of which…

4. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

San Diego is home to the Blackjack Hall of Fame. Some of the best and most accomplished players are immortalized in these halls annually. Honored for their playstyle, immense skill, or vast accomplishments, players whose names are in the Hall of Fame are some of the best to have ever lived.

Anyone who has seen a hall of fame induction ceremony can assume what this looks like. Former inductees give speeches praising the new ones: drinking, presentations, and celebrations honoring the newly inducted talents.

5. MIT Blackjack Team Reunion

For the unfamiliar, “the MIT Blackjack Team” refers to a group of MIT students who “broke Vegas” and won millions from casinos in the 80s and 90s. Many films detailing the group's exploits exist, including one of the best gambling movies, 21.

Today, the team comes together annually to catch up, reminisce, and play a friendly blackjack game. But it doesn’t end there. Not only do they hold small blackjack tournaments, but they also play other gambling games and just hang out.

If you would like to know more about the MIT Team, Ben Mezrich, a team member, has written two books about their exploits. Bringing Down the House and Busting Vegas were both New York Times best-sellers and are undoubtedly worth a read if you are interested in blackjack or gambling.

Conclusion

Blackjack remains among the most popular gambling games, especially in Europe and North America. The five events listed in this article are certainly some of the most prestigious in the world and attract mass media attention whenever they occur. Every pro-blackjack player’s goal is to one day get a seat at a table at one of these competitions.