7 May 2025
Known as one of the most popular card games in the world, blackjack is the perfect mix of luck and excitement. This has elevated the game beyond the confines of trusted casinos to secure a prominent place in popular culture.
In this article, we’ll be tackling the following points:
- What is Blackjack?
- Blackjack in Literature
- Blackjack in Music
- Blackjack in Movies; and,
- Blackjack in TV
Let’s dive into the portrayals of Blackjack across popular culture through this article!
What is Blackjack?
Blackjack’s rich history starts in Europe. As it evolved from the French game vingt-et-un (which means “twenty-one”), it became popular among French casinos and across the globe as the game we know today.
As the game gained more and more popularity, various references to it emerged in popular culture. This possibly helped the game gain more popularity among modern audiences.
Blackjack in Literature
With its straightforward gameplay mechanics and rules, blackjack has captured the allure of various writers through the years. Below are two of the most prominent mentions of the game through this medium.
Rinconete y Cortadillo (1600s)
Among the first literary mentions of the game may be found in Miguel de Cervantes’ Rinconete y Cortadillo, which was published in the Novelas Ejemplares back in the 1600s. Cervantes, known for the iconic novel, Don Quixote, was a gambler. The main protagonists of the tale were proficient in cheating at veintiuno, which was a card game with the objective of reaching 21 points without exceeding.
Novelas Ejemplares Book
Beat the Dealer (1962)
In 1962, Edward Thorp, a well-known blackjack researcher and mathematician, published his book, Beat the Dealer. His work revolutionised the blackjack world with the strategies and mathematical references mentioned.
Beat the Dealer demonstrated counting techniques that players may use while playing the game. This revelation, along with the included mathematical basis, captured the public’s eye and brought renewed interest in blackjack.
Beat The Dealer Book
Blackjack in Music
Throughout the game’s historical journey, the appeal of blackjack just increases as time goes on. Due to this, various musicians have made mentions of, or references to, the well-known card game in their songs. Some of these songs include:
- Blackjack by Death Grips (2012)
- Blackjack by Airbourne (2003)
- Ace of Spades by Motörhead (1980)
- Black Jack by Baciotti (1977)
- Viva Las Vegas by Elvis Presley (1964)
- Blackjack by Ray Charles (1958)
Blackjack in Movies
Blackjack comes with its own drama with its high stakes and unexpected twists, giving it cinematic potential. It is the perfect fit for various mentions on the silver screen, as seen below.
Nowhere to Run (1978)
Based on Charles Einstein’s 1976 novel, The Blackjack Hijack, Nowhere to Run (1978) was an American television film. It follows the story of a man named Harry Adams who, as a result of his unhappy life, devised a system for winning money through blackjack. He executed his plan in Las Vegas, and the story goes on from there.
The Hangover (2009)
Following the story of Doug Billings and his friends as they travel to Vegas for his bachelor party, this comedy film follows them as they find themselves hungover. Unable to remember the previous night and with Doug nowhere to be found, they eventually find themselves needing to play in casinos for money.
Playing against a licensed blackjack dealer, Alan uses his knowledge of card counting to win the money they need, along with some extra.
The Gambler (2014)
Starring Mark Wahlberg, The Gambler follows Jim Bennett, a literature professor that uses gambling for self-destruction; racking up huge amounts of debt in the process. Throughout the various events of the film, Jim plays in the casino to win back some money to pay his debt. High-stakes blackjack is among the games shown in the movie.
Blackjack on TV
Due to its popularity, blackjack has also been the centre of multiple TV game shows throughout the years. Some popular examples of these may be found below.
Gambit (1972 to 1981)
Hosted by Wink Martindale, the game involved two married couples attempting to build a card hand as close to 21 as possible, without exceeding. Similarly to blackjack, the various cards in the deck come with values where number cards are worth their face value, face cards are worth 10, and Aces may either be worth 1 or 11.
Catch 21 (2009 to 2011)
This game show was hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro, with Mikki Padilla serving as the card dealer. Though the game is played with additional mechanics, such as questions to receive cards, the main objective of the game is similar to blackjack. As contestants play, they are eliminated from the round if their hand exceeds 21.
Blackjack: Taking the World by Storm
The various mentions of the game in popular culture is a true testament to the enduring appeal of blackjack through the ages. From the casinos to literature, movies, and TV, blackjack is truly taking the world by storm. Its ability to captivate and excite players and audiences through any medium ensures that the game will continue to make appearances in pop culture in the foreseeable future.
