Indeed the first recorded mention of the game is in a Spanish dictionary of 1611, as well as featuring in a story by Miguel de Cervantes.Īny opinions? I haven't even begun to try renaming it in PoTC, and won't start unless people like the idea. If the game is renamed to either Vingt-Un or Twenty-One, the Spanish translation will probably change it to Ventiuno. Twenty-One would at least be more recognisable to players who don't know any French, though its use as a name for the game is relatively modern, and players who recognise Blackjack or Pontoon might still not recognise Twenty-One. Then again, school level French should tell them that Vingt-Un simply means Twenty-One, while serious fans of card games will probably recognise the name from various reference books on the subject. But perhaps players might not recognise it. Vingt-Un would be a more correct name for the game during the times of PoTC, as well as being more correct for the actual gameplay. And our game has no bonus for getting an immediate 21, let alone specifically an ace of spades plus a jack of clubs or spades (a black jack, hence the name). Blackjack was first introduced in America during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896, so it shouldn't exist in any period covered by PoTC. One of the gambling games available in taverns (and in new casino in Cartagena) is Blackjack.Įxcept that it isn't.

Card game 21 not blackjack