Is 21 Called Blackjack?

There are a lot of stories and myths about the game of blackjack and why it’s called blackjack. Some say that it’s because when you get a natural 21 with an Ace of Spades and a Jack of Spades, it’s the highest possible hand and thus called blackjack. Others say that the name comes from a bet that was offered in early casinos where a player could wager 10-to-1 odds that their hand would include the Jack of Clubs or Spades.

Yet another story suggests that the game was originally called Black Peter and was renamed after one of the first professional gamblers, Edward O. Thorp, published a book called Beat the Dealer in 1962.

So, which story is true? Well, they’re all partially true. Blackjack did get its start in casinos offering a 10-to-1 bet on hands including the Jack of Clubs or Spades.

And, Edward Thorp did help to popularize the game with his book Beat the Dealer. But, the most likely explanation for the name blackjack is a bit more mundane.

In the early days of casino gambling, all bets were paid out in cash. So, if a player bet $5 on a hand of blackjack and won, they would be paid $5 in cash.

But, if they were dealt a natural 21 (an Ace and any ten-valued card), they would be paid $10 in cash instead of just their original $5 bet. This bonus payout for hitting blackjack became known as “blackjack” and eventually gave the game its name.

So, while there are some interesting stories about how blackjack got its name, the most likely explanation is that it’s simply named after the bonus payout for hitting a natural 21.