Wikipedia 10K Redux

Reconstructed by Reagle from Starling archive; see blog post for context.

Games|Cards

The earliest origins of playing cards are obscure, but it is believed that they began in China after the invention of paper, with designs borrowed from Mah Jongg tiles. They arrived in Europe from the Mamelukes of Egypt in the late 1300s, by which time they had already assumed a form very close to modern cards. In particular, the Mameluke deck contained 52 cards comprising 4 suits: polo sticks and coins, likely descended from the bamboos and circles of Mah Jongg, plus swords and cups. Each suit contained 10 "spot" cards and 3 "court" cards, the latter being abstract designs not depicting persons. It was the Europeans who changed the court cards into depictions of persons, and who created many other variations such as different suit systems (the familar clubs, hearts, diamonds, and spades are of French origin) and added or omitted cards. Some of these variations are still present today in decks used to play regionally popular games (such as the German Skat).

Notable among these variations is the Tarot deck, with many added cards carrying images from mythology and mysticism. Some believe that these arrived in Western Europe with the Gypsies in the 1400s used for cartomancy (fortune-telling with cards), but it is more likely that they were created by Italians for trick-taking games, for which purpose they are still used today, especially in France. Although the present internationally-used design is called the "English" design, it likely originated in Rouen in the early 1500s. The Joker was an American innovation of the late 1800s created for the game of Euchre (which probably originated in Alsace). It then spread to Europe from America along with the spread of Poker.

In addition to being used for hundreds of games, playing cards are also a popular collectible. Specialty and novelty decks are commonly produced for collectors. They are also popular as props for conjuring tricks.

For more information:

International Playing Card Society

Card Games

**Contract Bridge

**Duplicate Bridge

**Draw Poker

**Stud Poker

Trick-taking card games

**Contract Bridge

**Duplicate Bridge