History of Blackjack

Currently, blackjack is arguably one of the most popular card games in the world. Throughout the history of blackjack, the game’s concept has stayed the same since its start in Europe in the late seventeenth-century.

Blackjack history is not isolated to an exact inventor but it is mentioned to have its beginnings in France or Spain. This is because blackjack history is mentioned in both of these respective counties through story telling. The French have documented how noble lords would partake in the card game they called vingt-et-un (French for twenty-one) at salons. The famous Spanish author who wrote Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes, is responsible for mentioning blackjack in his story “Rinconete y Cortadillo”, from “Novelas Ejemplares” where the characters play a game called veintiuna (Spanish for twenty-one). This story helps chronicle the history of blackjack because it was written between 1601 and 1602. The game eventually spread from Europe to the United States where it was brought over by immigrants.

In the United States, blackjack, along with poker made a journey out west and found a home in Las Vegas. The game of 21 was popular but gambling houses wanted to entice more players to gamble so they created a special bonus where any hand that contained the ace of spades and a black Jack would payout at 10-1 odds. This special payout didn’t last long but the name blackjack stuck.

Blackjack is a combination of luck and skill and many have tried to capitalize on beating the game by studying mathematical strategies. The basic tactics have stayed the same for hundreds of years but there do exist some variations. The celebrated card game is now very accessible to gamble on because of the internet. Online blackjack history is a short period but there is no doubt it is thriving.