Fun

A deck of playing cards may look simple, but hidden among the pips, suits, numbers, and portraits are surprising secrets, some of which are hundreds of years old. That box of pasteboards in bold, primary colors is one of the most recognizable things in the world, but the more we look, the more it seems like those cards are filled with mystery. Cards are special things. Each deck is a marvel of engineering, design, and history, loaded with secrets that have been whispered and distorted with each retelling. Here are 10 secrets about a standard deck of playing cards that have been hiding in plain sight all this time. 1. If you’ve ever shuffled a deck of playing cards before, you’ve heard that satisfying “snap” sound while the cards flip through your hands. Most people think it’s the plastic lamination on the cards that causes the sound, but it’s actually thin layers of glue that give each card their snapping “backbone.” saragrilloinvestments.com 2. You might not think the designs on the backs of the cards have any real significance, but they sure do. For example, magicians look for cards with no outside borders because it helps them better hide their tricks. Casino card handlers will also tell you certain designs work better with certain games to prevent scams. zazzle.com 3. Magicians and sleight-of-hand experts pay close attention to the razor-thin edges of the cards. Decks are cut using very powerful blades, and certain beveled edges work better for card-shuffling than others. These specific cuts are huge selling points for people who handle cards for a living. ellusionist.com 4. Even though there are many brands of playing cards, nearly all of them are, in fact, printed in the same facility in Kentucky. Over the years, the United States Playing Card Company acquired most of the brands, and they now print them all in one place. listverse.com 5. During the 14th century, playing cards were already being used all throughout Europe, and each country had their own unique suits. That said, the cards we currently use all over the world today originated in France. mathxmath.com 6. In the 1800s, before poker became the most popular card game in the world, Americans were obsessed with a game called “euchre.” In this game, there was a German “juker” card that designers eventually twisted into a “joker,” adding bells and floppy hats to the design. bicyclecards.com 7. If you’ve ever looked at an Ace of Spades and thought, “This card stands out more than the rest of them,” it’s because it’s supposed to. The symbol used to be a tax stamp England imprinted on decks of cards so buyers could prove they paid the tax on them. ellusionist.com 8. The face cards of a playing deck are full of interesting details. For example, British card publishers apparently mixed up the designs of the kings when they printed them, and the orb held by the King of Clubs was meant to be placed on a different king’s card. pinterest.com 9. The King of Hearts is often referred to as the “suicide king” because it looks like he’s plunging his dagger directly into the back of his head. But, this is completely wrong. Due to printing errors, it looks that way, but he’s actually supposed to be raising his sword for battle. wopc.co.uk 10. The King of Diamonds is the only king who doesn’t have both of his eyes showing on the card. That’s because the picture isn’t supposed to be a king at all, but a god. In Norse mythology, the god Odin only had one eye, and he’s depicted on cards as being ready to strike down an opponent at the snap of his fingers. cardexperiment.com Credits: boredomtherapy Share this story on Facebook with your friends.