When did people start playing cards?
Today, all over the world, people play various kinds of games, the game of cards being one of them. The international game of cards is known as bridge. Besides bridge, in every country, people play various other games of cards. A game of cards does not require a playground, as it is an indoor game.
Do you know how this game was started?
In the opinion of some historians, the game of cards began in Egypt, but according to some other historians, it was started either in China or India.
As per written records, playing cards was common in Europe in the 13th century. It was known as ‘tarots’. At that time, there was a pack of 22 cards with different types of pictures in it. Then the number of cards in a pack was raised to 78 by adding 56 cards like kings, queen aces and so on.
Later on, the number of cards was reduced to 52 by the French. Now there are 52 cards in a pack and these cards are separated into four divisions, with 13 cards each. These cards were given the names heart, spade, club and diamond. The 52- card system was also adopted by the English.
Slowly, the playing of cards spread all over the world. In the early days, the cards were very costly as they used to be hand-painted. Naturally, the common people were unable to buy these playing cards. After the invention of printing, innumerable ranges of economical and beautiful cards started being produced, which even the poor people could buy. The cards were square or circular but now they are rectangular in shape, with a standard length of 8.5 cm and breadth of 6 to 5.5 cm.
Playing of cards is a source of entertainment. But some people play cards for gambling, which is bad. The gamblers waste both money and time.
Category: History, Government & Society