No one really know where the game of blackjack originally began.Most people believe it started in France as a revolution of the French game ‘vint-et-un’ while others believe it to be an Italian game, the Thirty One traced back in the 13th century. Despite this, no one actually knows when the first game was played or begun it is possible that it came from another game, but it’s also considered that blackjack began independently.

Italian Origin

The game 31 could be the predecessor of blackjack.The main difference between the two the number you have to reach and the amount of cards you are initially dealt, in 31 you have to reach 31 and are dealt 3 cards, in blackjack the goal is to reach 21 with 2 cards. Apart from this the games are pretty much the same.

There is evidence of a relationship between the two games in the writings of Miguel de Cerrvantes in 1613.This came 150 years after the mention of the Thirty One by an Italian Monk, St. Bernardine of Siena whose sermon led to the burning of dice, cards and backgammon boards from the public.

The Seven and a Half was an Italian game of the 17th century that resembled the current day blackjack. This game shares similar rules to blackjack although in this game the dealer has more freedom.

The current day blackjack is quite different from the French Vignt-et-un.However, it has some similarity like cards were dealt in rounds and players around to bet for each.Though the goal of this game was to get the 21, the game differed in that only the dealer of the game could double.

The game has spread through out the world from its origin in Europe. During the French revolution it is believed the game reached America were it became extremely popular. The game took off greatly in America and is still popular there today after the French revolution. Despite this no one can agree on the origins of the game.

Blackjack used to be called twenty one and this original names links the game closely with the French Vignt-en-un. Conversely some believe the name 21 came from the New Orleans. It was initially a game of entertainment before the professional gamblers of the United States tried to twist it as a way of making money by manipulating the odds of the game.

In 1931, the game was legalized for gambling by the Nevada Gambling Act.