The game acquired many variations during its migrations across Europe, before landing on North American shores in the hands of European settlers in the early 1800s. Blackjack’s prominence spread quickly across Europe, becoming a popular pastime in the royal courts of Britain and France, as well as a welcome distraction from conflict in the ranks of European armies.
The origins of blackjack date back to 16 th century Spain, where blackjack (or veintiuna ) gambling is documented in the writings of the author Miguel de Cervantes. Blackjack is the popular Americanized version of a group of card games known collectively as Twenty-One.
