Blackjack the Beginning

The game of blackjack has been around for centuries. Many people disagree about the true origin of the game, but the most common theory about the history of blackjack began more than 400 years ago in France.

Vingt et Un

The French term for twenty-one, vingt et un was a classic French card game dating back to the 1600s. The rules were very similar to modern blackjack. To win a game of vingt et un, players had to come as close to 21 as possible without going over that total, just like winning a hand of blackjack. There were other similarities as well.

How Blackjack Got its Name

The most notable similarity between blackjack and vingt et un is the reason the modern variation of the game was called blackjack. In vingt et un, a player received a special bonus if their hand totaled 21 and consisted of a jack and an ace. In modern blackjack, any face card paired with an ace is a natural 21 and pays out at a higher rate.

Other Theories on the History of Blackjack

It is very likely that blackjack is indeed based on the game vingt et un, but not everyone agrees that France was the first country to play a game with similar rules. Gambling and card games spread quickly through Europe during the 17th century and several variations of blackjack were around at various times. The Italian game, seven and a half, may have been the inspiration behind blackjack.

While the exact origins of blackjack aren't quite clear, one thing is certain. Blackjack is a game that has been around for centuries and still offers its players an exciting challenge.