10 Fun Facts About Playing Cards You Didn’t Know

Think you know playing cards? These classic game-night staples have a history full of surprises. In this article, we’ll go through ten of the most fascinating and unexpected facts about playing cards. These facts include everything from POW escape plans to the longest game of Solitaire ever played.

1. The origins of playing cards date back to ancient china

The earliest known playing cards can be traced back to 9th-Century China during the era of the Tang Dynasty. The common belief is that the first printed playing cards originated as a 32-card domino deck printed on paper, bone, and wood. From there, the cards spread rapidly across the rest of Asia before arriving in Europe.

2. The four suits represent different social classes

Based on French card designs in the 15th century, the four suits of cards represented the different social classes. Hearts symbolized the clergy, Spades were for the warriors, diamonds were for the merchants, and the clubs represented the peasants. Other forms of playing cards, like Tarot Decks also reflect social hierarchies with their designs.

3. The ace of spades was once taxed in england

In the 19th century, England capitalized on the popularity of playing cards by placing a tax on every deck of cards produced. To prove that the tax was paid, each Ace of Spades was given a special stamp. Many tried to get around this by playing card games without an Ace of Spades, leading to the rise of the popular phrase “not playing with a full deck."

4. The joker was a later addition to the deck

The Joker may now be one of the most iconic playing cards, having influenced iconic pop culture characters like The Joker, but it wasn’t an original part of the modern deck. Rather, Jokers weren’t introduced until the 19th century when they served as Euchre's highest trump (winning rank).

5. Some cultures believe that certain cards bring luck or misfortune

Over the years, many legends have emerged about specific cards and superstitions in different cultures. For instance, the Queen of Spades in Russian card games is considered unlucky as she’s associated with death. And in Ireland, some people refuse to play any card games related to thirteen.

6. Playing cards helped prisoners escape during WWII

A closely guarded secret until years after World War 2 ended, British and American intelligence agencies collaborated with the biggest card producer, The United States Playing Card Company, to send unique decks of cards called “Map Decks" to captured soldiers in German prison camps. By soaking the cards in water, the cards could be peeled apart and reveal secret escape maps.

7. The king of hearts is sometimes called the "Suicide King"

Derived from a medieval design showing a King wielding a battle axe, the modern card design of the king of hearts is sometimes given the nickname, the “Suicide King," as the royal appears to be stabbing himself with a sword on the card. The truth is more complicated and seems less like a commentary on the king than a matter or printing error that changed the battle axe to a sword that disappears behind the king’s head.

8. The longest game of solitaire ever played took over 30 hours

Kathleen Henkel and Laura Rich set the Guinness world record for “Longest video game marathon playing a card game" when they played thirty consecutive hours of the Facebook game Solitaire Blitz back in 2012. For a slightly shorter game, 247 Solitaire makes playing easy and fun.

9. Casinos change playing cards constantly to prevent cheating

They say the House always wins in Las Vegas, and they’re not taking any chances. To avoid cheating through card counting or marking cards, Las Vegas casinos use an average individual deck of cards for less than 12 hours before they’re discarded or sold. And if you’re going to a casino at a busy time, that deck may be discarded after only a few hands. This is to prevent any chance for the cards to develop distinguishing marks such as bends or scuffs that could give a player an advantage.

10. “Cartomancy" is a form of fortune telling with decks of playing cards

You may have heard of Tarot Card readings, which have existed since the 14th century in Europe, but did you know that there’s also a method of fortune telling done with a deck of regular playing cards. Cartomancy is a form of divination and fortune telling that uses all 52 cards in a standard deck. There are plenty of other differences between tarot and cartomancy, but one is that cartomancy is more black and white in its interpretations while tarot cards are more ambiguous.

Ready to test your knowledge?

Playing cards aren’t just for games, they’re filled with a history of danger, intrigue and a little superstition. To learn more about Solitaire and other card games, explore the many rewarding, free options on 247 Solitaire. And test your knowledge of playing cards while playing your favorite Solitaire games.

DISCLAIMER: The games on this website are using PLAY (fake) money. No payouts will be awarded, there are no "winnings", as all games represented by 247 Games LLC are free to play. Play strictly for fun.