The Suicide King and Other Card Nicknames
By Alex J Coyne ©Great Bridge Links
Playing cards have a rich history spanning hundreds of years. This has given us enough time to come up with sayings and nicknames for practically every card in the deck. There’s the Suicide King, the Axe-Man and the notorious Ace of Spades – and, anyone heard of the Beer Card? Here’s a little delve into some cool card superstitions.
King of Hearts
The King of Hearts is sometimes also referred to as The Suicide King. Of course, it might have something to do with the fact that he is the only royal in the deck who appears to be killing himself – horribly, and with swords. There are many stories about why, but the most common one seems to be due to a misprint. The original playing cards came from hand-drawn designs that were copied and recopied over time. The “suicidal” pose likely came from a printing error or simplification. Early versions may have shown the king holding a battle axe or sword behind his head. Over time, that weapon began to appear as if it was going through his head due to changes in the artwork.
Sometimes, the King of Hearts is identified with Charlemagne (Charles the Great), the medieval emperor who ruled much of Western Europe. This is in part to 15th France where card makers began naming the face cards after famous historical or biblical figures. The King of Hearts was linked to Charlemagne, King of Diamonds was Julius Caesar, King of Spades was King David (from the Bible), and the King of Clubs was Alexander the Great. These associations were not universal. They were specific to a tradition in French-suited cards and were not always used consistently. Modern decks no longer label the cards with names, but the character design of the King of Hearts still reflects some older ideas — such as holding a sword, possibly indicating Charlemagne’s warrior image.
The Suicide King has appeared in books, movies, and games as a symbol of tragedy, madness, or intensity. The nickname is mostly used informally among card players and collectors.
Other Traits of the King of Hearts are that he often appears facing forward, unlike the other kings, who are in profile, and he is the only king without a mustache in many traditional card designs.
King of Diamonds
In modern card decks, the King of Diamonds appears to be the only one of the Kings holding an axe – and this has earned him the name of the Axe-Man (sometimes the Man with the Axe instead).
King of Spades
Some believe that the King of Spades signifies the Biblical King David. Interestingly, confederate soldier Robert E. Lee was called the “King of Spades” because of his order to have trenches dug – and the soldiers’ hate for him as a result.
Queen of Hearts
The Queen of Hearts is said to be associated with the biblical figure Judith (sometimes Judic) in early card decks. Later English-printed decks would sometimes change the royal-references depending on who was relevant at the time.
Queen of Spades
The Queen of Spades is sometimes associated with Pallas – that’s the Goddess Athena to everyone else. In old-school poker games, you’ll sometimes hear her referred to as Calamity Jane, a famous frontierswoman.
Queen of Clubs
In the card game Find the Lady, the Queen of Clubs is the card known as the Lady – alternatively, the Black Widow or the Black Maria. Of course, the Queen of Clubs is also referred to as Argine. (Also the nickname for the AI system powering Funbridge!). An answer on Funtrivia.com mentions that Argine is an acronym of Regina – Latin for Queen.
Other Cards and the Scottish Curse
Seven of Diamonds: The Beer Card
The Beer Card has been around for a long time – in bridge, it says that you’re owed a beer by your partner if a last trick is won with a seven of diamonds from your hand. (We guess Youth Bridge players might have to call this one the soda card until 21!)
Here are some unwritten ‘beer card rules:’
It usually applies only to declarer, but in some circles, defenders can also win a beer.
The contract must be made.
The declarer or defender wins the last trick with the 7♦.
The play must not have risked the contract just to win with the beer card.
Nine of Diamonds: The Scottish Curse
Basically, we know that the Nine of Diamonds makes some superstitious card players nervous, and has been so for a few hundred years.
The Scottish Curse card has a few origin stories. One states that it originates from the Duke of Cumberland, who supposedly wrote an execution order on a playing card – any guesses which one?
Four of Clubs: The Devil’s Bedpost
Also called The Devil’s Four-Poster or The Devil’s Bedstead, the Four of Clubs is considered by some to be a very unlucky card to hold – so unlucky that it can affect the rest of your hand and make you lose the game. According to the International Playing Card Society, it could be linked to cartomancy (the use of cards for divination), where the Four of Clubs is a bad omen:
This card warns of a major setback, an unexpected set of circumstances that must be prepared for. It is also said that this card can be thought of as “Murphy’s Law” when used in readings.
