Most people gamble for a number of reasons, not simply to try their hand at making loads of money. In fact, while making money is no small reason, it is only part of gambling that draws thousands, if not millions, of people each year to test their luck and skill. Alternatively, gambling is a social event. People come together, friends and strangers, to meet, participate and compete against one another.
Gambling, then is a social affair as much as it is a competition. It makes sense that gambling at casino establishments or in someone's basement is an intrinsic element of the situation. How then is gambling, or gaming on the internet considered social?
There are many reasons why people choose to play games such as blackjack and poker on the internet, rather than to play live with others. Firstly, it is the convenience. Playing online blackjack from the comfort of an armchair cannot be compared to the drive to the closest land casino, finding a parking and making your way through the crowds to play. Alternatively, online blackjack can be played in solitude, at any time of the day or night and with the simple technology available for download.
Some think that online blackjack loses the social element because player can’t ‘ mingle’ with the other players, share jokes or even pass a lighter to light their cigar. Some may consider this disadvantage too important and instead opt to play blackjack against other people, rather than the computer.
Proponents of online blackjack disagree remarkably with the theory that the game is not social. Indeed, according to them, while the game is very different to regular blackjack, from a social perspective, online blackjack can be a reasonably social experience.
These players argue that online blackjack may even be more social than blackjack played in casinos. They claim that thanks to the internet, blackjack communities around the world are finding each other and are being 'connected'. This has led to an internationalization of competitions and games between online blackjack players. Unlike at casinos, or in you best friend's basement, online players can choose from other players around the world.
Furthermore, thanks to technology such as microphones and webcams, players can participate as if they were really in each others' lounge rooms. Indeed, there is no limit to the amount and number of connections that can be made between online blackjack players around the world.
Online blackjack continues to grow in popularity. More and more players are choosing to go online in order to participate in their favorite casino games. This has led to an ongoing positive cycle: the more players participating online, leads to greater social experiences while playing, this disperses the concept that online gaming lacks the social element, which leads to more people choosing to play online. Thus the cycle continues on and on creating a greater momentum and appreciation amongst players for the game, from around the world.
Considering the above aspects, few would disagree with the social possibilities of playing blackjack online.
