Blackjack History

Blackjack has been one of the most popular and fast paced games in casinos for many years. Its origin goes back many years all the way across the ocean from France, and it is still one of the most popular table games in the world.

The history of Blackjack is a bit clouded but mostly credited to being started over 300 years ago in France. Known as Vingt-et-Un to the French, as it spread through time and the continents it became known as Twenty -One in England and the Australians lovingly refer to it as Pontoons. Regardless of the pronunciation the basic principle remained the same, a hand that neared but did not exceed a count of 21.

When Blackjack arrived in America as 21 in the 1800's it was not a very popular game Americans much preferred craps and roulette which were the most popular games to play in the wild west casinos. In order to entice customers to play Blackjack a bonus was offered with a payout and bonus for the Jack of Spades. Hence the name Blackjack. Then once gambling was legalized in Nevada in 1931, the popularity of Blackjack grew to its number one position as the most popular table game that it still holds today.