There are three thoughts regarding the origin of the game of Blackjack.
The ancient Romans love to gamble. They used to play wooden blocks carved with numerical values. The game probably involved reaching a sum with a particular number of blocks.
The Spanish’s version was called One and Thirty. The game involved reaching the sum of ‘31’ with a minimum of three cards.

The most plausible origin of the game of Blackjack is the French version. In the 1700s, French casinos offered the card game Vingt-et-Un which translates to the English “twenty-one”. Advocates claim that this game was an off shoot of French Ferme and Chemin de Fer which were the two leading card games during that era.

Of all the possible origins of Blackjack, 21 or Vingt-et-Un prospered in reach and popularity. This game spread throughout Western Europe. Thanks to French colonists, the game was introduced and thrived in North America. In no time at all, the game of Blackjack were being introduced in Poker rooms, river boats and casinos across the United States.

Of course the rules of the original Blackjack are different from the contemporary version. In the old version, the dealer was the only one permitted to double, and betting was allowed between each playing card dealt. As with all things, the game evolved. Some say Blackjack is just a variation of Baccarat. Nevertheless, the game became a huge success as the public welcomed the new card game.

During the 1920s Prohibition, gambling dens lost customers as it seemed card playing is no fun without the usual liquor. Historians agree that the game of Blackjack was almost wiped out during this period.

After the Prohibition, card rooms and gambling halls were once again filled with liquor-drinking-blackjack-playing patrons. This card game was still called ‘21’ when the first legal casino opened in Nevada in the 1930s. To entice card players to try their luck in Blackjack, some casinos afforded a special bet. This bet had something to do with the Jack of Clubs or Spades (black jacks) plus the Ace of Spades. The odds for these pairings were 10-to-1 odds on the player’s bet. Of course this particular pairing was eventually discontinued but by that time it did not really matter as Blackjack was well ingrained in the psyche of gamers and non-gamers alike.

Innovations in technology make it now possible to play live Blackjack anytime, anywhere.