A game that needs no introduction, blackjack is well established as one of the most popular card games in the world, played in casinos from Las Vegas to Macau and everywhere in between. Loved by many for its fast-paced and exciting gameplay, blackjack is also universally enjoyed because of its relative simplicity, making it the perfect game to play in whatever situation. The game is also known to some as pontoon, Vingt-et-un, or simply just 21, with the reasons behind these naming variations rooted in its rich and truly global history. Let’s take a closer look at how this simple game has spanned continents and centuries to become the iconic game it is today.
Origins in the European Renaissance
While pinpointing the exact time and place where blackjack emerged is uncertain and remains hotly debated to this day, the origins of the game can be traced back to the European Renaissance period. During this time, it appears as though several games with rules similar to those of blackjack emerged throughout Southern Europe. Historians have unearthed the French game, quinze (fifteen), as well as sette e mezzo (seven and a half), which would have been played on the bustling street corners of Florence and Rome. It is Spain, however, where it is generally accepted that the earliest iterations of the game format emerged. Legendary Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes mentions the game treinta y uno (thirty-one) in a text in 1570; however, the earliest reference of the game is said to be from way back in 1440, when the monk St Augustine mentioned it in one of his sermons.
Establishing the true origin of the game format may never be possible, but what is clear is that card games possessing many of the same characteristics of blackjack were being played extensively throughout much of Southern Europe throughout the Renaissance period, with different variations emerging across the Mediterranean.
The emergence of vingt-et-un
By the time the 1700s rolled around, the Renaissance that had brought much of Europe back out from the Dark Ages had come to an end, with countries like France now entering what would become known as the Age of Enlightenment. During this time, France would undergo a period of immense cultural and intellectual change, with many of the ideas that would shape the modern era beginning to emerge. One such concept was that of the gambling house, with the pastime becoming particularly popular with members of France’s growing aristocracy. It was here in these early casinos that vingt-et-un (twenty-one) became a staple. Notably, it is known by this point that the ace rule, giving the card the dual values of 1 and 11, had become incorporated into the game, showing signs of today’s rules.
Colonization and global expansion
Thanks to France’s close proximity to the United Kingdom, it didn’t take long for the game to spread, being adopted by the Brits in the 18th century. In what is a quirky part of blackjack’s history, it is said that the name pontoon comes from this time, where British players would mispronounce the French name. Eventually, vingt-et-un would morph into pontoon.
The game truly started going global in the 19th century when French colonizers brought the game across the Atlantic, introducing the game to the United States for the first time. Here, the game would become hugely popular in the gambling houses of New Orleans, albeit still under the name vingt-et-un. Things would start to change around the mid-1800s when the term ‘natural’ started to appear. This term describes a hand consisting of an Ace and a card with a value of 10. Sound familiar? Furthermore, in some areas the rule would only apply with either a jack of clubs or jack of spades, hence the emergence of the name blackjack. By the turn of the century, the modern rules of the game had started to become standardized, while the name blackjack began to replace vingt-et-un in most establishments.
The rise of Las Vegas and card counting
The end of World War II would see the US emerge as the richest and most powerful nation in the world, with the 1950s marking an era of incredible economic and cultural expansion. Nowhere was this better exemplified than in Nevada, which saw Las Vegas rise from the desert to become a global gambling capital. Here, blackjack became hugely popular, with casinos up and down the strip offering visiting punters the chance to play this thrilling game.
As blackjack became a household name, some clever players then started to realize that there were some weaknesses in the format that could be taken advantage of. Releasing his book ‘Beat the Dealer’ in 1962, Edward O. Thorp would change the game forever, introducing the concept of card counting to the public, giving everybody the ability to use math and probability to beat the house. Horrified, many casinos responded by using multiple decks at blackjack tables and introducing severe consequences for those caught. Despite this, the tactic remains a hotly debated subject today. For those looking to learn, try using a 2 deck blackjack strategy to see if you can acquire this controversial skill.
Blackjack today
Despite the issue of card counting, blackjack continues to be hugely popular today, cementing itself alongside poker and roulette as one of the quintessential casino games. Iconic establishments across the world continue to offer the game, while the online casino scene that has exploded over the last twenty years has seen blackjack reach an even greater audience. As online platforms and mobile gaming continue to evolve, it would come as no surprise to see blackjack evolve with it. With new variations of the game emerging all the time, some would say that this is already happening.
For one of the more straightforward games on the casino floor, blackjack certainly has a unique and extensive history. And, at around 600 years old, there must be a reason why we continue to play. So, the next time you play with your friends, make sure to remind them of blackjack’s impressive journey.
