History of Blackjack

As you can read in our History of Poker (article about poker history is available on our site), probably all card games can be traced back to ancient China where, around the 10th century, the first playing cards were used.
The Emperor Mu-tsung was reported to have played so-called domino cards on new years eve. Early versions of card games traveled with Asian traders, via trading routes to the Middle East.
On the right picture: Blackjack card game table during playing.

Early versions of card games traveled with Asian traders, via trading routes to the Middle East. Then, one way or another, playing cards came to Europe. Some say that European Blackjack history begins in Spain where, a Spanish game existed called "Spanish for 21" (Veintiuno), in the 17th century.

For sure, we can find other such similar European games. In Italy, you can find a game called then "Italian for 31" (Trentuno), in the early years of 15th Century. Blackjack history could start in 17th Century in France where in French casinos visitors, played a game called "vingt en un".
"Vingt en un", means twenty one in French and the game was very similar to the today's blackjack. After the French Revolution, Blackjack came into North America and immediately gained a lot of popularity.

The game was called Blackjack because any player that held the Jack of Spades and the Ace of Spades as the first two cards dealt was paid extra.
As we know, gambling was legal in the western parts of the United States from the 1850s to 1910. In 1931, Nevada legalized casino gambling where Blackjack became one of the main games of chance offered to casino visitors.

Then Las Vegas casinos started and the city became a very popular destination for gambling, in the United States. Now, it’s the leading city in the casino games world.
Famous Atlantic City on the east coast also started offering Blackjack game as, state of New Jersey legalized casino gambling in 1978.

On the left picture: Blackjack cards in action.

Changes in Blackjack game rules

Between 1953 and 1956, a group of people started to study blackjack and calculated the variables to reduce the houses advantage in the game. In 1962 a book about blackjack was published, named “Beat the Dealer” which became a New York Times bestseller.
After the book was written, the rules of the game we’re slightly changed by the casinos to limit the damage the book had caused. During the 60s, 70s and 80s blackjack was the rising performer of card games among the casinos. In the United States, a lot of small independent casinos were opened in places such as Colorado or in the riverboats on the Mississippi, for example. As well, around 70 of the North American Indian native reservations operate casinos as well.

Blackjack in modern times

Julian Braun, an IBM employee, used his computer's skills to study blackjack game and his work was published in the second edition of "Beat the Dealer". Another blackjack contributor is Lawrence Revere who published "Playing Blackjack as a Business" that inspired thousands of cards players.
Another hero of blackjack, Ken Uston, had his own place in blackjack's history as he inspired millions of people in his publications "Million Dollar Blackjack", "Ken Uston on Blackjack" and "The Big Player".
In the 1990s another group of players (The MIT Blackjack Animal group) hit the casinos using card counting techniques. The members of this team made millions of dollars until 1997 when they were banned from the casinos. They were detected by the private Griffin Investigation company that identify card counters and secure casinos around the world from gamblers that cheat.

Blackjack is played all around the world now. In addition to the United States, many other countries operate casinos including: England, France, Monaco, Canada, many Caribbean Islands, etc.
Internet blackjack is growing in popularity during recent years, and hopefully blackjack will continue to be the classic game, as it is today. Online Black Jack and live casino playing will rise in popularity, and millions of people have entertained themselves by playing this game online.

Blackjack game online

Playing blackjack online is growing in popularity, as more and more people have got access to the internet.
Players from around the world have a chance to participate in a tournament from the comfort of their home. The great thing about blackjack online is that you can play with people all over the world, competing with real money, without the need to visit the land-based casino.

On the right picture: Example view of blackjack game played in online casino.