Around the World in Eighty Games is a book by Marcus du Sautoy about his trip around the world, borne of his argument that games have always been an integral element of human civilization.
These games are far more than simple entertainment. They have also served as a wellspring of mathematical concepts, as du Sautoy confirmed during his travels. This discovery extended to casinos and other gambling platforms where simple games now rely on complex probability theories.
Thus, du Sautoy sought to prove that modern-day platforms, like the ones found at Bovada casino online, are simply renditions of long-forgotten games from older cultures. By exploring the history of these games, he discovered and proved their origins in ancient times and their evolution across continents. Here are some insights gained and how casinos integrate them into modern-day gambling.
Games Marcus du Sautoy Came Across During His Travels
Long before humanity shaped the modern world, ancient civilizations played games. These games came in many forms: dice games, board games, card games, and more. Du Sautoy was able to trace their existence back to much earlier periods. A few of the games he encountered include the following.
Backgammon
Originating from ancient civilizations of the Middle East, backgammon is a game played on a board with 24 elongated triangles. Participants played with pieces of fifteen black and fifteen white checkers. The aim of the game is to land on your opponent’s lone checker to return their piece to the beginning of the race.
The two primary ways of winning form the basis of the game’s name. Clearing all your pieces before your opponent has moved any of theirs earns a bonus, referred to as winning a “gammon,” which doubles your stake. If you win while your opponent still has pieces in your half waiting to travel the full board, that is a “backgammon,” which triples your wager.
Symmetrical Dice
The first symmetrical dice to appear in the gaming scene were shaped like a little tetrahedron. However, this soon gave way to the emergence of cube-shaped dice with numbers marked on the sides from one to six. According to archeologists, this shape of dice emerged in the third millennium BCE.
Before the cube shape became standard, the numbers were arranged differently: a two on the face opposite three, a six opposite one, and a four opposite five. With the arrival of cube-shaped dice in 1370 BCE Egypt, the modern arrangement became widespread, where opposite-face numbers always sum to seven.
The creation of different dice shapes eventually led to the development of chance mathematics and probability theories. As the future would show, these two concepts proved transformative in both casino gaming and mathematics.
The Doubling Cube
This concept also arose in the Middle East, where players became fascinated with the idea of raising the stakes. According to du Sautoy, these players were no longer content with simply winning a game. They wanted to risk money, possessions, and other assets. This impulse led directly to the idea of gambling.
The doubling cube was an extra feature of the backgammon game, featuring powers of two on its sides: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64. To play the game, a participant could challenge another person to take the cube and double their wager by placing the side showing the two uppermost on the cube. This may go on and on until the players tire or a winner emerges, winning a prize of twice the stake.
Dominoes
With its origins in China, dominoes is a game that has gained widespread popularity around the world. It is played in cafes, homes, and casinos alike. In the traditional version, players receive a collection of tiles and try to match one end of a tile with the end of a domino already placed on the table.
Participants win by placing all their tiles in the train of dominoes built across the table by the players.
Modern-Day Renditions of Some Ancient Games
As mentioned earlier, modern gambling platforms have integrated some gaming wisdom gleaned by du Sautoy, using them to form the basis of casino games. Some modern versions of these games include:
Pai Gow
Pai Gow is believed to be based on dominoes played in China. In its gameplay, players receive seven cards from the dealer and must create two poker hands against the dealer, who does the same. Whoever holds the better poker hand, consisting of a five-card hand and a two-card hand, wins.
Pai Gow has since gained popularity in casinos, especially in North America. It offers a unique experience to players seeking a new challenge slightly different from conventional poker.
Craps
Craps is a modern game traced back to ancient Roman dice games, where players place bets on the outcome of dice rolls. The betting options range from wagering on the sum of the dice to predicting specific numbers to selecting an odd or even outcome.
Card Games
This category covers a vast array of games from blackjack to poker to baccarat. Card games are often the favorites of players who want a combination of chance, strategy, and social interaction.
Final Stop
Modern casino games are not as far removed from ancient culture games as many people assume. By looking through the eyes of Marcus du Sautoy, we can better appreciate the rich tapestry of ancient games woven into modern institutions. With this perspective, players gain a deeper understanding of the gaming world, leading to a more immersive experience at the table.
