Who Invented Blackjack – History of the Most Popular Casino Game
Despite its popularity, there is much debate on blackjack’s history and who invented blackjack. Our blog will look at the crucial moments throughout blackjack’s history, who created it and how it became popular. Read on to learn more about the world’s most popular casino game and its fascinating origins.
Who Invented the Blackjack Game and Early History
Blackjack is certainly one of the most popular casino games. Its simple rules, fast gameplay and strategic elements make it a staple at casinos, similar to European Roulette. However, blackjack is a game that takes rules and elements from various other card games, so it isn’t easy to pinpoint who invented blackjack. As such, there are many theories on when blackjack was invented.
The most popular one is that Ancient Romans played a prototype version of blackjack, with wooden blocks that had numbers painted on them. It’s certainly plausible as gambling in Ancient Rome was a popular pastime. Many also believe the blackjack history began in the 17th c., citing Miguel de Cervantes’ novel Novelas Ejemplares as evidence. It references a game called “veintiuna”, Spanish for twenty-one, with a similar objective as blackjack.
However, the most concrete evidence points to France being the blackjack creator, with the 18th c. game of Vingt Un (“Twenty One”). It was a combination of Ferme and Chemin de fer, a faster variation of baccarat, and is essentially the base form of blackjack. The game would become incredibly popular in Britain and eventually appeared in the US, where it would get its new name.
The Origin of Blackjack’s Name
An even more exciting part of the blackjack history is the origins of its name. After arriving in America, Vingt Un was slowly changed and soon received the name of Black Jack. Many people believed this was due to 19th c. American gambling houses implementing a payout bonus to make the game more popular. Getting an ace of spades and a jack from a black suit paid out ten to one.
However, as the card historian Thierry Depaulis clarified, the true origin of blackjack was the Klondike Gold Rush in Canada. Blackjack referred to an ore found in the area, which usually signified nearby gold deposits. They applied the same term to getting an ace and any card with ten points to indicate the player won a big prize.
Regardless of how its name came to be, the game became popular at saloons and would soon appear in US casinos when the Las Vegas gambling laws were established in 1931. That year, blackjack’s rules were standardised and clearly defined so that anyone could enjoy it. And then came the most significant turning point in blackjack history, rivalling the identity of the one who invented the game of blackjack.
Modern Blackjack History – Breakthrough in Popularity
Perhaps equally as important as who invented blackjack is who invented the basic strategy for blackjack. Similar to roulette and the numerous roulette strategies, players can use their skills and form a plan to increase their chances of winning. Mathematicians Roger Baldwin, Wilbert Caney, Herbert Maisel, and James McDermott discovered the first such strategy.
Their 1956 paper titled “The Optimum Blackjack Strategy” uses mathematic calculations to form a winning strategy. It makes recommendations, such as standing on 12 if the dealer has an initial value of four, five or six. This strategy would be verified by Edward Thorp, an MIT professor and writer of 1962’s “Beat the Dealer”, who proved the house advantage could be beaten and invented card counting.
The most important conclusion from both works was that blackjack had a very low house advantage. This unique card game soon skyrocketed in popularity, as everyone used the strategies in “Beat the Dealer” to try and win huge prizes, similar to the biggest roulette wins. However, this also led to casinos implementing stricter rules and finding ways to spot and prevent card counting.
The publication of these works was a major turning point in the history of blackjack and just as important as the one who invented the game of blackjack. Players could use their skills to increase their chances of winning, and veterans enjoyed coming up with new ways to overcome the odds. As its popularity rose and more people began playing it, blackjack would soon see the creation of numerous variants.
Blackjack’s Basic Rules and Intricate Variants
France is not the only blackjack creator, as this game’s simple rules make it incredibly malleable and allow players to change it in various ways. The basic goal is to beat the dealer by getting a value close to 21. You can split your hand, surrender half your bet or even double your bet and place insurance.
These basic rules have been taken and modified, with some variants adding side bets or entirely new features, such as both initial cards facing up or being able to switch cards between two hands. Below, we will cover some of these variants and see how they differ from the base game:
- ♠️ Pontoon (British Vingt Un)
- ♥️ Spanish 21 (Blackjack Always Wins)
- 🔄 Blackjack Switch (Fun New Gimmick)
Pontoon – The British Blackjack
You may know the answer to “when was blackjack invented?”, but did you know that the UK created its own version? While Vingt Un was a popular game in Britain since the 18th c., it would slowly evolve into Pontoon, the name being a mispronunciation of Vingt Un. Its first recorded appearance was during WWI, as an American soldier observed the game while serving with the British in 1917.
| 📛 Name: | Pontoon |
| 📍 Place of Origin: | Great Britain |
| 📆 Date: | 1917 |
| 🃏 Side Bets: | None |
| ♣️ Differences: | Buy, Twist, Cannot Stand below 16, Dealer Wins on Pontoon |
While Pontoon has casino versions, it is mostly played as a casual family game. It plays similar to blackjack, with the goal being to beat the banker by getting close to a value of 21 or a pontoon. Players can pay and “buy” more cards or get a free card, called a twist, but cannot take more. The banker always wins if they get a pontoon.
Another interesting difference is that players cannot stand unless their score is at least 16. The banker wins all ties, and if either the banker or the player has five cards, they can beat any hand except a pontoon. The rules have changed through the years, with the latest update being in 2011, so the game has remained fresh.
Spanish 21 – Another American Variant
Released in 1995, Spanish 21 was developed by Masque Publishing, a gaming company in Colorado. It is one of the most popular variants in blackjack history, as aside from land-based casinos, players can experience a free online version. The experience is similar to games at the best online roulette sites, and its popularity spawned many unlicensed copies.
| 📛 Name: | Spanish 21 |
| 📍 Place of Origin: | Colorado, USA |
| 📆 Date: | 1995 |
| 🃏 Side Bets: | Match The Dealer |
| ♣️ Differences: | Double Double Down, Player Always Wins on 21, Late Surrender, Blackjack Auto Wins |
Once again, the goal is the same as blackjack. However, this game uses 48-card Spanish decks, with the 10 cards removed. Players can split up to four times and even double twice in a row at any time. 21 and blackjack always win and beat the dealer, even if they have a similar score.
Lastly, players can participate in a “Match The Dealer” side bet, where you earn a prize for matching the dealer’s upwards-facing card with your hand. You win a bigger prize if the cards are the same suit and rank. There is also a bonus payout for getting three sevens of the same suit.
Blackjack Switch – A Unique Twist on Blackjack
Although it may be uncertain who invented blackjack, the US has undeniably popularised it with its excellent variants. Geoff Hall was a gambler who was frustrated with getting weak hands and being unable to swap cards. In October 2000, he unveiled Blackjack Switch at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, and land-based casinos quickly picked it up.
| 📛 Name: | Blackjack Switch |
| 📍 Place of Origin: | Las Vegas, G2E |
| 📆 Date: | October 2000 |
| 🃏 Side Bets: | Super Match |
| ♣️ Differences: | Swap Top Cards, Play with Two Hands, Push on 22 |
What sets this game apart is that you play with two hands and can swap the top cards at the start to improve your chances of winning. If the dealer gets a 22, the hand counts as a push against everything except a natural blackjack. You can also play the Super Match side bet, where you earn a payout if you get a matching set of cards, such as two pairs.
Aside from that, the game is similar to regular blackjack and quickly gained popularity across land-based casinos. It was patented in 2009 and an online version was developed by Playtech. Other software providers would also make versions of this game, while George Hall went on to develop other great titles, such as Zappit Blackjack.
Blackjack in Popular Culture
Regardless of who invented the blackjack game, blackjack has become a staple at casino games, with online versions at the best online casinos in the UK. Much like poker, it has a significant presence in pop culture, with multiple great blackjack movies themed around the game.
Even popular video game franchises, such as Resident Evil and Red Dead Redemption, feature blackjack games, and there is even a 21-tone musical scale named after the game. Its popularity is undeniable, and many continue to play the numerous variants at online and land-based casinos.
Casinos also host blackjack tournaments, and the Blackjack Hall of Fame was established to honour important players and experts in blackjack history, such as the one who invented the basic strategy for blackjack. It even includes a former manager of the MIT blackjack team. And the game’s popularity only continues to grow.
Conclusion – The Future of Blackjack
It may not be clear who the exact blackjack creator is, but that hasn’t stopped the game from becoming a hit. It’s a game suitable for players of all playstyles and budgets, with the strategic element making it even more exciting. Casinos and players are almost constantly coming up with new rulesets and gimmicks, and developers, such as Evolution, have created spectacular live casino blackjack titles.
Blackjack is always improving, and we are excited to see what the future holds for this fun game. We hope you enjoyed our look into who invented blackjack. If you’re interested in learning about another popular casino game, you can check our article on who invented poker or learn how to improve your luck with the ancient gods of gambling.
Who Invented Blackjack FAQ
Before wrapping up our blog on who invented gambling, we will answer all your pressing questions regarding this topic. Learn more about the blackjack creator and when blackjack was invented. We will also detail some interesting information on some of the game’s variants and how blackjack has influenced pop culture.
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