The evolution of 21 to the modern day game of blackjack, Spanish blackjack or even Pontoon, has been a long and twisted one. Back in the game’s general infancy, only the richest of the rich had access to playing cards or were allowed to gamble in general. These days any old Joe-blow can walk in to a bricks and mortar casino and you will find blackjack or pontoon tables littered all over the main gaming floor. You can even play blackjack online or on your mobile phone.
But where did this strange beast simply broken down as “21” first get its start? Where did it come from? Who do we have to thank/blame for the massive wins, huge losses and hours of lost time spent hunched over a table either tapping or waving? We take a closer look at the game’s origins.
History of 21
The precise history of 21 is shrouded in mystery and uncertainty. It was first referenced in a short story by author Miguel de Cervantes in 1601 – 1602, but the first bonafide record of the game being played goes to the French who began playing a game called “vingt-et-un”, which literally translates to “21”, in their casinos in the early 1700’s.
Vingt-et-un itself was an amalgamation of two previous French casino games Chemin de Fer and French Ferme. You must understand that the French aristocracy of the 1700’s were a debaucherous lot who thrived on gambling, drinking, drugs and wild sex. Who else but this seedy, libertine underbelly of the ridiculously rich and excessive could create the most famous casino game of the modern era?
The French are also the creators of casino games roulette and baccarat – depending on who you ask.
The evolution from 21 to blackjack
Around about 100 years later, the general concept of 21 found its way to the shores of North America where the Yanks put a little bit of finesse and showmanship into the game to create the basis for what we now come to know as blackjack.
It was in the gambling dens of America that 21 transformed and adopted its current name of blackjack. Gambling operators of the time came to discover that the game of 21 wasn’t as popular as it could be. The Americans used a bit of initiative and advertised if you happened to be dealt the ace of spades with a black jack, you would receive odds of 10:1 – a far cry from the modern day 3:2 odds.
This new winning hand eventually became known as, you guessed it – blackjack. This form of 21 became so popular, with the elevated odds, that 21 in general simply became known as blackjack.
Modern day blackjack
The modern game of blackjack has evolved even more since those days of the wild west. Numerous rule variations have led the game to contain all manner of side bets and bonuses to heighten the excitement of the basic structure. Innovations like insurance when the dealer has an ace, doubling down, splitting, perfect pairs, five cards and more or super seven’s are just some examples.
There are so many different variations of blackjack on the market that you can play them at land-based casinos and online, such as:
- Vegas Downtown – played with two decks, Vegas Downtown allows you to double down on any two card option and allows you to split up to three times. Vegas Downtown has a house edge of 0.39%.
- Super Fun 21 – played with a single deck, this variant offers several different odds and payouts as well as your natural blackjack always beating the dealer’s natural blackjack.
- Atlantic City Blackjack – offers players a late and early surrender option, double down on any two card option and split up to three times. The house edge on this is a low, low 0.36%.
- Blackjack Switch – allows you to play two hands at the same time and gives you the option to switch the two highest cards from each hand. Blackjack only pays even money though.
- Caribbean 21 – the aim of this game is to be dealt a winning hand of “Caribbean 21”: two 10-value cards and an ace, which is only valued as a one.
- Progressive Blackjack – offers a side bet that gives you the opportunity to win a progressive jackpot. This is won by being dealt four suited aces.
- Blackjack Double Exposure – in this variant both of the dealers hole cards are exposed from the beginning of the hand.
Check you favourite online casino for a list of their blackjack games.
Pontoon
The first known written reference to 21 was in the short story, “Ringonete y Cortadillo” by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, written in 1601 or 1602. The short story tells the tale of two cheats at a game called ventiuna and is played with a Spanish playing cards called a baraja deck which did not include eights, nines or 10’s.
This appears to be the earliest form of another 21 derivative called Pontoon, or Spanish blackjack.
The modern form of Pontoon still draws inspiration from the Spanish baraja cards because the modern game uses a deck of cards that has all four 10’s removed before play. Pontoon, like modern blackjack, has spawned many side bets or bonuses.
Blackjack in popular culture
Blackjack is so wide-spread and popular it is regularly referenced in film and television. Movies like 21, Casino and The Hangover show great representations of the game being played while television shows like Family Guy, Entourage and Rules of Engagement offer an irreverent look at playing the game.