A pack of cards consists of a set of different playing cards. A deck of cards made of printed cardboard is one of the oldest and simplest playing devices. At the same time, playing cards allow numerous games, games of chance and card tricks.
But what do you know about playing cards themselves? We reveal ten facts worth knowing about playing cards and their use in the casino.
Interesting facts about the card game
A set of playing cards, also called a “deck of cards”, fits in every pocket and provides an occasion for sociable rounds of games or amazing card magic. Playing cards are the prerequisite for such successful games of chance as blackjack and poker, as they are known and popular in casinos and gambling houses worldwide.
Just as fascinating as the game itself are the cards themselves. Learn here what casino playing cards are all about.
How many cards does a deck have?
A deck of French cards has 52 playing cards. The deck of 52 cards was already known in the 13th century. The deck number of playing cards results from the number cards 1 to 10 and the three court cards. With the four suits of hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds, the 52-card deck is therefore: 4 x 13 = 52.
The exact reason for the high spread of the French hand is not known, but it is generally assumed that French and British colonial troops made the 52-card hand known
Which playing cards are used in the casino?
Online and land-based casinos often use playing cards made of plastic or at least cardboard with a plastic coating.
There are two reasons for this: The cards are more resistant and thus last longer, and it is more difficult to damage or mark the playing cards. Nevertheless, depending on the use, the packs of cards are changed comparatively frequently.
In the casino, the Anglo-American hand is often used with the English designations of the face cards: J for Jack, the Jack, Q for Queen, the Queen. Poker cards use a larger index, i.e. larger numbers and letters. This makes it easier to recognise hole cards and community cards.
The classic French hand has a format of 88 millimetres high and 56 millimetres wide. The poker hand is slightly wider at 63 millimetres. This gives the cards a better grip and more space for the symbols. The width does not interfere with the game, as players usually leave the cards face down on the table.
In US casinos, a four color deck is common, especially in poker. Here, four different colors really do represent the four colors of the hand: Olive green for clubs, orange or blue for diamonds. In online poker, players can usually choose between a classic representation and the four color deck in the settings.
Where were playing cards invented?
he precursors of playing cards come from Asia. Printed paper already existed in China more than 2,000 years ago.
A type of card game existed in China and Korea around the 12th century, although it was most likely a game of chance. Via India and Persia, playing cards came to the Arab countries and from there to Europe.
While people in China played with elongated, narrow and striped cards, people in India used almost round playing cards. In Italy and France, playing cards were known around the 14th century.
However, Western inventions may also have influenced the development of European playing cards.
What is the meaning of the colors and symbols of playing cards?
The four suits of the French hand are clubs, spades, hearts and diamonds and are represented by two black and two red symbols.
Clubs is modelled on a cloverleaf. The French word for clover is “trèfle”, which is why Kreuz is sometimes also called Treff, especially in Austria.
Spade comes from the pikeniere or pike, but the Germans also speak of the shovel or shovel because of the shape of the symbol. Some refer to the diamond-shaped diamond symbol as “corners”.
The so-called German leaf names the colours acorn, foliage, heart and bell. There are countless regional versions with different names and different designs.
The court cards Jack, Queen and King depict famous personalities from history and mythology:
- King of Clubs: Alexander the Great
- King of Spades: David
- King of Hearts: Charlemagne
- King of Diamonds: Julius Caesar
- Queen of Clubs: Roman Goddess Juno
- Queen of Spades: Greek goddess Pallas Athena
- Queen of Hearts: Judith from the Bible
- Queen of Diamonds: Rahel from the Bible
- Jack of Clubs: Knight Lancelot
- Jack of Spades: Knight Holger Danske
- Jack of Hearts: Étienne de Vignolles, companion of Joan of Arc
- Jack of Diamonds: Hector of Troy
Which pack of cards uses which playing cards?
Playing cards with the French hand are usually used in the casino. Poker uses playing cards with a large index.
- Black Jack: The casino popular card game Black Jack uses several packs of French playing cards.
- Bridge: Rummy, Bridge and Canasta use two decks of French playing cards, each with three jokers, for a total of 110 hands. By discarding the cards that are not needed, many different games can be played with this hand.
- Poker: The poker hand is the same as the French hand, but often has a large index and can be designed as a four-color deck. Poker is usually played without jokers, but jokers may be included so that the hand can also be used for bridge and other games.
- Baccarat: The casino card game uses the French hand, but the cards have no index and a single-color back without pattern.
- Skat: There are 32 cards in the hand with values from bottom to top: 7, 8, 9, Queen, King, 10, Ace and above them the four Jacks Diamonds, Hearts, Spades, Clubs.
- Jass: This card game, which is widespread in Switzerland, uses a hand of 36 cards with the values 6 to 10, with Jack, Queen, King, Ace above them.