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Playing Cards are typically hand-sized rectangular pieces of heavy paper or thin plastic used for playing card games. One side of each card (the "front" or "face") carries markings that distinguish it from the others and determine its use under the rules of the particular game being played, while the other side (the "back") is identical for all cards, usually a plain color or abstract design. In most games, the cards are assembled into a "deck" (or "pack"), and their order is randomized by a procedure called "shuffling" to provide an element of chance in the game. For this reason, many card games involve gambling. |
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A playing card is typically a hand-sized rectangular piece of heavy paper or thin plastic used for playing card games. One side of the card (the "front" or "face") carries markings that distinguish it from the others and determine its use under the rules of the particular game being played, while the other side (the "back") is identical for all cards, usually a plain color or abstract design. In most games, the cards are assembled into a "deck" (or "pack"), and their order is randomized by a procedure called "shuffling" to provide an element of chance in the game. For this reason, many card games involve gambling. |
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The origin of playing cards is obscure, but it is likely that they began in China after the invention of paper, with designs similar to those on modern Mah Jong tiles (paper cards came before tiles in China). It is known that 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 four "suits": polo sticks and coins (probably descended from the bamboo sticks and circles of their Chinese ancestors), plus swords and cups. Each suit contained ten "spot" cards (cards identified by the number of suit symbols or "pips" they show) and three "court" cards. The Mameluke court cards showed abstract designs not depicting persons (at least not in any surviving specimens) though they did bear the names of miltary officers. Europeans changed the court cards to represent European royalty and attendants, and created many other variations such as different suit systems 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 in the 1400s with the Gypsies, 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. In most of the world today, they are primarily used for cartomancy?. |
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The origin of playing cards is obscure, but it is likely that they began in China after the invention of paper, with designs similar to those on modern Mah Jong tiles (paper cards came before tiles in China). It is known that 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 four "suits": polo sticks and coins (probably descended from the bamboo sticks and circles of their Chinese ancestors), plus swords and cups. Each suit contained ten "spot" cards (cards identified by the number of suit symbols or "pips" they show) and three "court" cards. The Mameluke court cards showed abstract designs not depicting persons (at least not in any surviving specimens) though they did bear the names of miltary officers. Europeans changed the court cards to represent European royalty and attendants, and created many other variations such as different suit systems 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 deck for the game of Tarocchi?, which is now far more often used in Tarot mysticism than as a card game. |
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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. |
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In addition to being used for hundreds of games, playing cards are also a popular collectible? (as distinct from the cards made specifically for [trading card games]?). Specialty and novelty decks are commonly produced for collectors. They are also popular as props for conjuring? tricks. |
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