10 Interesting Facts About Cards
You might’ve played cards numerous times, and we’re sure you were lucky. However, have you ever thought of the questions of where the cards originate and what interesting facts stand behind them?
We suggest the following algorithm: first, use the Betwinner registration button, and then read this page to learn all about card games at an online casino.
We’ll tell you what technology and mechanics stand behind the card games at online casinos.
1. Playing Cards Come From China
Cards have been with us for a very long time — probably for about a thousand years! It is believed to have originated in China in the 9th century AD during the Tang dynasty. In those days, however, the deck consisted of only 32 cards and was made of wood.
The first mention in the sources, which may be about cards, comes from the 9th century and speaks of Princess Tongchang playing a certain game with her husband’s family.
However, it is only partially certain whether it was a card game or, for example, a board game because this type of game was also the first to be created in the Middle Kingdom. No doubt playing cards already existed there in the 13th century.
Then, they reached Europe in the 14th century through India, Persia and Egypt.
2. The Oldest Fully Preserved Deck Of Playing Cards Is In New York At The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
The oldest surviving cards are four from 12th- and 13th-century Egypt, now housed at the Dallas City Museum of Art. The oldest, fully preserved deck is now in New York at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is a 15th-century tarot set made in the Netherlands.
The monument is in very good condition, suggesting it was hardly used. A collector purchased this deck in 1970 for $2,800, then sold it to the museum for a staggering $143,000.
3. In The United States, You Can Get Cards With Images Of Unsolved Criminal Victims
In the US, decks of cards were created with the data and images of victims of unsolved murders and missing people. They are usually sold in prisons and are called “snitch cards” by prisoners.
They were created in the hope that someone might recall some long-forgotten detail from the past and provide the police with new clues that could help in a hitherto unsolved investigation.
4. The Hands In Texas Holdem Poker Are Sometimes Referred To By A Quiet Name
Texas Holdem and Omaha Holdem players sometimes use interesting and intriguing names for pairs of specific cards. Also, These terms include famous people (Elvis Presley, Tarantino, Justin Timberlake, Jeffrey Dahmer, Orwell, Jackie Kennedy), fictional characters (King Arthur, Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Darth Vader), famous duos (Antony and Cleopatra, Asterix and Obelix, Ferdynand and Izabella), names of weapons (Kalashnikov, Colt 45, Magnum) or references to various works of art (Gorillas in the Mist, Brokeback, Prince and Beggar).
5. Card Divination Is Called Cartomancy
Although most of us have heard about divination and the tarot used for them, few people know that reading the future from cards has its special name. Divination by tarot is known as cartomancy.
The history of tarot dates back to the fifteenth century, but at first, it was used as ordinary cards for various parlour games. It was in the 18th century that it was used as a fortune-telling tool.
Nowadays, this form of divination is still quite popular and tempts people who believe in supernatural powers and want to know their future fate.
6. For Safety, Casino Playing Cards Are Made All Of Plastic
Unlike typical decks that we can buy at any stationery store, the cards in casinos are made entirely of plastic. This is for security reasons. This makes it harder for players in gambling houses to cheat by marking cards.
In addition, one more advantage: plastic cards are slower to destroy or get dirty, which is easy in casinos, through which hundreds of customers constantly scroll. In turn, when a given deck is withdrawn from the game, it is visibly marked, for example, by making holes in the cards so that no one can use them in the casino.
7. The Largest Card Collection In The World Consists Of 11,087 Decks
Who has the most cards in the world? According to the Guinness Book of Records, Liu Fuchang, who lives in China, has the largest collection of playing cards. It’s hard to believe, but his collection consists of as many as 11,087 different decks! However, In turn, Tony de Santis from Italy can boast of having the largest number of Jokers in the world. It has 8520 of them, and each one is different!
8. In The United States As Of Spad Is Called The Death Card
Rumour has it that during the Vietnam War, the ace of spades had an extremely important role to play. This card supposedly meant death for the superstitious North Vietnamese and aroused great fear. So the Americans decided to use this fact in psychological warfare.
United States soldiers received sets of playing cards, which contained only aces of spades. However, To demoralise and scare the Vietnamese, the Americans left them on the bodies of their fallen enemies and scattered them over the fields and jungles.
Such that the use of the card was depicted in Francis Coppola’s famous work, Apocalypse Now. Also, The film made the ace of spades associated with the Vietnam War to this day.
9. The Name Of Yakuza Comes From A Traditional Japanese Card Game
Yakuza are members of Japanese criminal organisations like the mafia. Only some people know, however, that their name comes from the traditional card game from the Land of the Rising Sun — oicho-kabu. Two decks are used for this game: kabufuda, which consists of 40 cards, and hanafuda, which has 48 cards. But where does the name yakuza come from? This term is used to describe the worst hand in oicho-kabu.
10. One Of The World’s Oldest Card Games Is War
War is one of the most widely known and popular party games. Each of us knows it and played it more than once as a child. However, only some know that it is one of the oldest card games in the world. Its origins date back to the 14th century!
