What is a Blackjack, or a Natural?

There are actually very few game specific terms or jargon related to the game of blackjack, but two of them should be mentioned and explained in detail here. They are those of the 'natural' or 'blackjack'. Both terms mean the same thing in today's game but this wasn't always so.

The two terms 'blackjack' and 'natural' when referred to in the modern game of blackjack, mean any hand of two cards which is dealt that comprises an Ace and a 10 or court card (Jack, Queen or King). This hand is referred to as a natural or blackjack and is a winning hand that cannot be bettered, only matched by the dealer with an identical hand. In such a case the game is drawn and bets are returned.

The term 'blackjack' came from the game's historic origins in the seventeenth century French game of 'vingt en un' which translates to twenty one in English. In that game, a special payment was made for the player who held the Jack and the Ace of Spades. This special hand, due to its rarity was given the status of the highest hand possible in the game of vingt en un. Hence the phrase 'black Jack' was coined.

The term 'natural' is a modern term that has been applied to any two card hand equalling 21 points and has become known as the equivalent of a 'blackjack' or any two card hand equalling twenty one points. That being the highest points hand that you can hold.