How Twenty-One became Blackjack

The card game, first known as ‘Twenty-One’, evolved into what we now call Blackjack through a series of historical developments and cultural influences.

Due to these events throughout history and the developments in technology, the game that was once known as Twenty-One is now known as iconic casino card game – Blackjack.

Nowadays, the game can be played in a multitude of ways, whether this be within a land-based casino at a physical game table or simply via a device with a strong internet connection that allows you to digitally join a game table and play live Blackjack online.

Scroll down to discover an outline of how this transformation occurred and how Blackjack got its name.

The game’s origins

The origins of Blackjack can be traced back to several European card games that were popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. The most notable precursor is the game ‘Vingt-et-Un’, which translates to ‘Twenty-One’ in French. This game became popular in French casinos around the early 1700s and had rules similar to those of modern Blackjack.

To understand a little more about the origins of this casino card classic, here is a brief overview of the key influences of early Blackjack:

• Vingt-et-Un (Twenty-One): This French game is considered the direct ancestor of Blackjack. The objective was to reach a total of 21 points without exceeding it. Vingt-et-Un had various rules that differed regionally, but it laid the foundation for the game we know today.
• Spanish influence: Another two possible influences are the Spanish game ‘Veintiuna’, also meaning ‘Twenty-One’, described in a 1613 book by the Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes. As well as a game known as ‘One and Thirty’ where the basic rule was to reach a hand of 31 with a minimum of three cards.
• Italian Game ‘Sette e Mezz’: This translates to “Seven and a Half” and involved similar gameplay where players aimed to reach a total without exceeding a certain number. It used a deck with no eights, nines, or tens, and face cards counted as half a point.

Introduction to America

French colonists introduced Twenty-One to the United States in the 18th century. The game became quite popular in the gaming houses of New Orleans and other regions.

House rules and popularisation

In the early 20th century, gaming houses in the USA sought to promote the game by offering special payouts.

One such promotion was a 10-to-1 payout if a player’s hand consisted of the Ace of Spades and a black Jack (either of clubs or spades). This particular hand was termed a “Blackjack,”.

The name stuck, even though the promotional payout was eventually discontinued. The name Blackjack became more widely used to refer to the game as a whole.

Standardisation of rules

Over time, the rules of Blackjack became standardised, particularly in casinos, making the game more uniform and accessible. This helped solidify its popularity and distinct identity from other card games.

Cultural influence and media

The name Blackjack was further popularised through its depiction in literature, films, and popular culture, making it the widely recognised name for the game of Twenty-One.