Blackjack History

Blackjack History: First Card Games

In the strictest sense, the roots of all card games can be traced back to ancient China. This is where, in the 10th century, the first playing cards were printed.

It was in the Middle Ages that early card games traveled along Asian trading routes to the Middle East. From there, they were picked up by Crusaders who returned to Europe with a wealth of foreign concepts and products.

Most game historians agree that Hazard was the first popular European card game. It was from Hazard that other popular gambles like Poker and early forms of Blackjack sprang.

Blackjack History: Naming Rights

We know that most of Europe had been exposed to card games by the end of the 14th Century, but it's widely disputed where the first game of this type was actually played.

Some Blackjack history experts point to a 17th Century Cervantes reference to a Spanish game called “Veintiuno” (Spanish for 21) as proof that Blackjack history begins in Spain.

Another vocal group of Blackjack history buffs claim that the popularity of “Vingt-Un” (French for 21) in 18th Century France is evidence that Blackjack history begins there.

Italy has both countries beat; references have been made to a game of “Trentuno” (Italian for 31) since the early 15th Century. This is the first written recorded mention of a game with an obvious numerical goal.

Blackjack History: Origins of Blackjack Rules

Regardless of which game lays claim to the origins of Blackjack, we know that it was French Blackjack rules that laid the foundation for what would become the popular modern casino version we play today. In fact, of all today's common Blackjack rules, only the insurance and surrender options were absent from 18th Century Vingt-Un.

Blackjack History: Vingt-Un to “21”

As with many of today's oldest casino games, Americans were the last gamblers to discover Blackjack games. That said, they were also the most visionary, shepherding the game towards its now royal status among casino gambles.

The history of Blackjack in America doesn't begin until the 19th Century when French immigrants brought the game to the gambling mecca of New Orleans. Though the French versions of its Blackjack rules remained largely the same, its French name was translated to English. For several decades thereafter the game continued to be known simply as “Twenty-One.”

Blackjack History: From the Gambling Hall to the Casino

Though Twenty-One spread quickly throughout gambling halls across America, it struggled to captivate and maintain a committed audience. More Americanized games like Craps and Poker continued to dominate.

It was during this time that casino operators began adapting the game in hopes of making it more popular. Some casinos took to offering a special payout for a natural 21, a Blackjack hand consisting of an Ace and a black jack. It was from this special promotion that the game's modern name was born.

Soon after, serious gamblers realized the profit potential of this skill-based game, and casinos no longer had to work to convince their patrons to play Blackjack.

Blackjack History: The Web Gaming Revolution

Blackjack history doesn’t stop at the casino. Late in the 20th Century, this simple game received another makeover, this time in the form of internet Blackjack. Fans could now play games from anywhere in the world, so long as they had a computer and an internet connection.

While most online casinos kept their internet Blackjack traditional, others experimented with the game’s format. This lead to a wide variety of play and payout options; some casinos even offered Blackjack bonuses and jackpots.

The most committed of Blackjack players now have easy access to the game, and as online gambling continues to grow and evolve, it seems like the possibilities for internet Blackjack are endless.

Is there a next frontier for Blackjack history? Like the game itself, we’ll have to wait for the deal to see what’s in the cards for Blackjack.