An entry dated-- May-79 in the account books of Joanna, Duchess of Brabant reads, "Given to Monsieur and Madame four peters, two forums, value eight and a half moutons, where with to buy a pack of cards". To familiarize a novice's awkward finger with what must be one of the most popular and widely known modern online and high-tech casino games, takes a while. The unruly freak show of royal Siamese twins, that you first saw on a dog-eared pack on your grandma's table, may never be realized in the giddy atmosphere of your first live games, that the glossy polygons have not always been as they seem to have always been.
The very first playing cards seem to have originated in Central Asia. The first known reference to cards is a 10th or 11th century record of paper dominoes, printed to represent all of the 21 combinations of a pair of dice, used in other games in China. The earliest found artifacts come from 9th century China. Scholars associate the first straight-sheet paper cards with the first use of straight writing paper as opposed to paper rolls (being one of the many ancient Chinese inventions so obvious now to any sane modern) and with the earliest book printing.
In quite modern form, playing cards were likely introduced in the late--th century into Europe by Egyptian Mamelukes. Consisting of 52 cards, four suits (polo sticks, coins, swords, and cups), and three court cards which depicted abstracting design rather than persons, this was the typical Mameluke deck. Only wealthy Europeans could, at the time, afford the hand-made cards. Around--00 the technique of applying woodcuts (used until then to decorate fabric) to paper and mass production followed suit. There are records of professional card makers in the period between--18 and--50. Currently, one of the most flourishing world-wide industries is card production.
In the 15th century the number and style of suits varied; some decks had five suits with hearts, bells, leaves, and acorns which were standard suits in Germany. These are still used today for a distinctive set of card games in Southern Germany. Besides the standard deck, I remember the German suits from my childhood. Because of their relative pictorial richness, I preferred these, particularly the golden nut and greenish cupules of the acorn suit. Perhaps a gift imported into Asia, Kazakhstan from German relatives.
If the kings were the highest card in the suit in early games, by the--th century the "Ace" (stemming from the Latin for the lowest unit of currency, as) began to acquire the ability to turn highest card, leaving the Two as lowest. This was an especially popular mode during the French Revolution when it was vital that the lower classes rise above royalty. A revolutionary would likewise disdain to play cards with Kings and Queens, preferring the innovative design of Liberties, Equalities, and Fraternities, but the classic design returned with the coming of Napoleon to power.
A reversible double image in court cards was introduced in the'th century. The earliest of such designs was American, though the invention is attributed to a French card maker of the late'th century whose idea was prohibited by the French government. The purpose was to prevent players from reversing their court cards during a session, thus in part revealing their hands to even not the most observant of opponents. - 31406
The very first playing cards seem to have originated in Central Asia. The first known reference to cards is a 10th or 11th century record of paper dominoes, printed to represent all of the 21 combinations of a pair of dice, used in other games in China. The earliest found artifacts come from 9th century China. Scholars associate the first straight-sheet paper cards with the first use of straight writing paper as opposed to paper rolls (being one of the many ancient Chinese inventions so obvious now to any sane modern) and with the earliest book printing.
In quite modern form, playing cards were likely introduced in the late--th century into Europe by Egyptian Mamelukes. Consisting of 52 cards, four suits (polo sticks, coins, swords, and cups), and three court cards which depicted abstracting design rather than persons, this was the typical Mameluke deck. Only wealthy Europeans could, at the time, afford the hand-made cards. Around--00 the technique of applying woodcuts (used until then to decorate fabric) to paper and mass production followed suit. There are records of professional card makers in the period between--18 and--50. Currently, one of the most flourishing world-wide industries is card production.
In the 15th century the number and style of suits varied; some decks had five suits with hearts, bells, leaves, and acorns which were standard suits in Germany. These are still used today for a distinctive set of card games in Southern Germany. Besides the standard deck, I remember the German suits from my childhood. Because of their relative pictorial richness, I preferred these, particularly the golden nut and greenish cupules of the acorn suit. Perhaps a gift imported into Asia, Kazakhstan from German relatives.
If the kings were the highest card in the suit in early games, by the--th century the "Ace" (stemming from the Latin for the lowest unit of currency, as) began to acquire the ability to turn highest card, leaving the Two as lowest. This was an especially popular mode during the French Revolution when it was vital that the lower classes rise above royalty. A revolutionary would likewise disdain to play cards with Kings and Queens, preferring the innovative design of Liberties, Equalities, and Fraternities, but the classic design returned with the coming of Napoleon to power.
A reversible double image in court cards was introduced in the'th century. The earliest of such designs was American, though the invention is attributed to a French card maker of the late'th century whose idea was prohibited by the French government. The purpose was to prevent players from reversing their court cards during a session, thus in part revealing their hands to even not the most observant of opponents. - 31406
About the Author:
The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker and receives Rakeback at Red Star Poker and Rakeback at Poker Kings.
