5 May 2025
As one of the most well-known card games around the world, blackjack has gone through a rich journey through the ages. As you read this article, we’ll be going through the following points in the game’s history:
- The Beginning
- From Vingt-et-un to Blackjack
- From the Books to the Internet
- The Rules of Blackjack Today
Join us as we dive into the fascinating journey of blackjack. Travel across the globe and watch as this exciting casino game evolved into a game you may now enjoy through any mobile-friendly online casino.
The Journey Begins
It all started with Vingt-et-un or Vingt-un, an exciting game that gained popularity with French royalty and nobles during the reign of King Louis XV. Back in the day, vingt-et-un was simpler. There were no fancy rules or complicated bets. However, the goal was still the same as it is today: get as close to 21 as possible without going over. This straightforward rule caused the game to spread throughout France and across the globe, pulling players from all walks of life.
Believe it or not, there were even some references to vingt-et-un in classic literature! Miguel de Cervantes, the brilliant author of Don Quixote, made references to a game called “la veintiuna envidada,” in Rinconete y Cortadillo, which was published under Novelas ejemplares (“Exemplary Stories”) back in 1613.
From Vingt-et-un to Blackjack
When European settlers brought the game to the United States in the 18th century, it took off, especially in New Orleans’ legalised gambling halls. Eleanor Dumont, a French-born immigrant and highly skilled dealer, opened a gambling hall in Nevada to increase interest in the game. As a rarity in card dealers back in the day, players would flock to her hall in the hopes of playing against her.
It was during this time that the game evolved with new rules and a new name: Blackjack!
Casinos then started offering special bonuses to make it even more popular, but while those bonuses aren’t as common these days, the name stuck.
Eventually, the Nevada Gaming Corporation defined the rules for the game, changing these to what we may see in casinos today.
From the Books to the Internet
In the 1950s to the 1960s, brilliant minds such as Roger Baldwin, his colleagues, and Edward Thorp used maths to figure out the best ways to play blackjack. Roger Baldwin and his colleagues published a paper entitled, “The Optimum Strategy in Blackjack.” This paper motivated players to give their best efforts in beating blackjack.
Edward Thorp, a blackjack researcher, used this paper and its calculations to verify the basic strategy and later published his book, “Beat the Dealer,” in 1963. Though some concepts may be outdated today, the book may still be considered a game-changer; bringing players valuable information about the game.
Today, Blackjack is more popular than ever! From being mentioned in pop culture, to taking the online casino world by storm with the various online blackjack games across the web. Thanks to the internet, players may now enjoy blackjack online. Among these, players may enjoy live dealer games where players may interact with real blackjack dealers while enjoying the game.
The Rules of Blackjack Today
Though different places around the world would play the game differently, the fundamental rules of blackjack stay consistent:
- Each player is dealt two cards at the start.
- Players may choose to hit, stand, double down, or split depending on what cards they receive.
- The hand closest to 21, without exceeding, is the winning hand.
- The dealer must stand on a soft 17.
Blackjack: A Timeless Card Game
Thanks to its rich history and timeless appeal, blackjack has evolved from humble beginnings into one of the most popular casino games in the world. From the elegant courts of Europe to the bustling casinos of Las Vegas, and beyond!
More than a card game, blackjack brings the best blend of chance, strategy, and luck that people may find in casinos. Because of this, one thing is for sure: the future of blackjack is bright.
