The game Blackjack has not always been known as such. It was originally called Vingt-et-Un, which is a direct translation of Twenty-one. In order to understand why Twenty-one is known more commonly as Blackjack in the modern-day, we must first journey back to the very beginning of this casino classic to discover not only how it has become such an iconic game, but also how it has moved from its birthplace, travelled around the world and evolved to become accessible to the masses.
Blackjack can be played in many venues all around the world, whether that be down your local casino establishment or on your chosen device connected to the internet. So, whether you fancy a game with your friends in person, or by logging into your online casino account for a game of Sky Vegas live Blackjack whilst lounging on the sofa, there are various ways to enjoy the classic.
Are you ready to travel back in time, to the very beginning of Blackjack’s journey, to find out just why Twenty-one is called Blackjack?
Read on to find out more. Where it all began
The origin of this casino classic is still under debate, with some historians believing that the first signs of Blackjack can be found dating back to ancient Roman times. It is said that the Romans would use painted wooden blocks in place of the cards we use today. And although it is known that the Romans loved to gamble, there is no concrete evidence to back up the idea of Blackjack originating here.
Therefore, it has been agreed by historians and researchers alike, that due to the evidence, the true origin of Blackjack dates back to 1700 France. Thought to derive from another popular card game called Chemin de Fer, also originating in French casinos, Blackjack was first known as Vingt-et-Un, which simply translates to Twenty-One. Amongst other speculations, it is said to have been favoured by the French monarch, King Louis XV, as games are known to have been played inside the French Royal Court at the time of his reign.
Spreading the word
As the popularity of the game grew within France, more and more players joined the tables to see if they could win a hand against the dealer. So, when French colonists crossed the seas to American shores, they took the game with them.
It was during the 19th century that a French woman called Eleanor Dumont, who had immigrated to America and was known to be a very skilled dealer, started to travel around the states, making a name for herself by playing the game, whilst also helping to spread the word about this iconic game. It wasn’t long before Dumont decided to plant some roots and open up her own establishment in Nevada City, California. She ironically called her business Vingt et Un. Her tour around the States paid off, as she saw people travelling from all over the country to visit her venue.
Evolution
When we entered the 20th century, Blackjack was still known as Twenty-one, but this was all about to change. Thanks to casinos introducing a promotional offer to entice more people to try their luck at the game, the venue introduced additional prizes for certain hands made. The most popular was an offer called Blackjack. It was comprised of a player having to be dealt a hand totalling 21, made up of the Ace of Spades and either the Jack of Spades or Jack of Clubs, both being the black Jacks of the deck.
When the promotions fizzled out, the name stuck. And that is how Twenty-one came to be known in many places around the world, as Blackjack.
