Almost everyone has played cards at some point, but few realize just how far these simple decks have traveled through history. From ancient Chinese courts to European trade routes and the grand casinos of today, playing cards have evolved into a global phenomenon. More than just a pastime, they’ve shaped gambling culture, inspired countless games, and even influenced art and design. Let’s take a journey through time to see how game cards have transformed over the centuries.
The origins of playing cards remain a mystery, with dozens of origin stories floating around the world. One of the most supported theories is that game cards originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE).
Cards are traced back to the painted tiles of the time, which resembled modern-day dominoes or mahjong tiles. These “cards” were hand-decorated with symbols reflecting Chinese culture. Modern games such as Tile Rummy and Mahjong continue to use tiles for play.
From there, cards spread along the many trade routes, entering India, Persia, and the Middle East. They arrived in Europe around the 14th century, possibly through trade with Islamic nations. But, these cards still didn’t represent the game cards of today. They had intricate designs featuring coins, cups, polo sticks, and swords.
The designs went through various iterations through the years after cards arrived in Europe. Eventually, the suits transformed to show local culture and traditions:
Cards were also no longer hand-painted as industrialization occurred. Cards could now be printed using wooden blocks, which allowed for faster production and greater accessibility.
The Renaissance – a period of European cultural and artistic rebirth – saw game cards undergo yet another transformation as artists used these blank canvasses to express themselves. For the first time, face cards (King, Queen, and Jack) were introduced, which allowed card games to become more complex. These face cards are said to represent real rulers and saints.
The earliest recorded evidence of playing cards is in a manuscript written by a German monk, Johannes of Rheinfelden, in 1377, titled “Ludus cartularum moralisatus” (the moral meaning of card playing). He wrote about cards and the many games that could be played with them.
It is likely that playing cards only arrived in the United States after the Revolutionary War in 1775, whereafter card makers in the US started mass producing paper cards.
As cards spread across the globe, so did the games that could be played with them. Card games were used for socializing, entertainment, and gambling. Tarot and Ganjifa were the first games to gain popularity in Europe.
The 52-card deck that we know today was introduced by the French in the 17th century, and this deck quickly became standardized. This allowed card games to be widely adopted, and games like Karnöffel, Old Maid, and Pig spread to all corners of the world.
Casino card games have about as rich a history as the cards themselves. Technology has played a major role in transforming casino games, from basic games with cards to the wide variety of online games today.
Gambling likely coincided with the creation of the first cards during the Tang Dynasty, however, some say that although cards originated in China, the games themselves were from India or the Middle East.
Casinos only emerged in Europe during the 17th century, but gambling was a popular pastime before the invention of dedicated gambling spaces. The first reported casino was in Venice in 1638, called the Casino di Venezia. It was mainly a theater, with a separate wing for gambling during intermissions.
The different modern casino games each have rich histories:
Today, most major card games are available online as virtual games. Online casinos only debuted around the early 2000s, but they have grown in popularity since then due to convenience and accessibility. Classic table games, like poker, blackjack, and pai gow can now be played online.
Game cards have a fascinating history, with most attributing their creation to the Chinese during the Tang Dynasty, although some dispute this and say cards originated in the Middle East or India during the same era.
No matter the origin, playing cards have crossed borders and generations, and remain a staple of the entertainment industry to this day.
