Why Is Blackjack Called Cosh?

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games, played by millions of people worldwide. It’s a game that requires skill, strategy, and a bit of luck.

But have you ever wondered why it’s called “cosh” in some parts of the world? In this article, we’ll explore the origins of the name and how it became associated with the game we know today as blackjack.

Firstly, let’s start with a brief history of blackjack itself. The game has been around for centuries and has been played in various forms throughout history. One of the earliest references to a game similar to blackjack is found in Miguel de Cervantes’ book “Rinconete y Cortadillo,” which dates back to the early 17th century.

Now, back to the question at hand – why is blackjack called cosh? The answer lies in its origins in Britain during the 18th century.

At that time, there was a popular street game called “Vingt-et-Un,” which translates to “twenty-one” in French. This game was similar to blackjack but had some key differences.

In Vingt-et-Un, players would bet on who could get closest to twenty-one without going over. However, unlike modern-day blackjack, there were no fixed rules for hitting or standing – players could continue drawing cards until they either reached twenty-one or went bust.

During this time, street gangs were prevalent in Britain’s cities, and they often used coshes – short clubs made of hard material such as lead or wood – as weapons. These coshes were sometimes used to beat people who owed money or did not pay their debts.

As Vingt-et-Un became more popular, it began to attract these street gangs’ attention as a potential source of easy money. To keep these gangs from disrupting their games and intimidating players into paying them protection money, casinos started hiring bouncers or “coshers” to keep the peace.

These coshers would patrol the casinos, armed with their trusty coshes, ready to deal with any troublemakers. The game of Vingt-et-Un soon became associated with these coshers, and people started calling it “cosh” instead.

Eventually, the game made its way to America, where it underwent some changes and evolved into what we now know as blackjack. However, the name “cosh” continued to be used in some parts of the world, particularly in Britain and Australia.

In conclusion, the name “cosh” for blackjack has its roots in the game’s early days in Britain when it was associated with street gangs and their weapons of choice – coshes. While the game itself has evolved over time, the name has persisted in some regions as a nod to its colorful history. Whether you call it blackjack or cosh, one thing is for sure – it’s a thrilling game that’s enjoyed by millions worldwide.

Summary:

• Blackjack is also called Cosh in some parts of the world
• The origins of this name lie in 18th century Britain
• Vingt-et-Un was a popular street game that attracted gangs’ attention
• Casinos hired bouncers or “coshers” armed with short clubs made of hard materials such as lead or wood
• The modern-day version of Vingt-et-Un evolved into Blackjack
• The name Cosh persists in some regions as a nod to its colorful history.