Playing Card Articles

Art on playing cards featuring modern, abstract designs inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat, with a King of Clubs and Queen of Spades displayed under spotlights.

How the Art on Playing Cards Became Its Own Art Form

When most people pick up a deck of cards, they’re thinking about the game. Poker face ready, snacks at the table, maybe a bit of friendly trash talk. But if you take a moment to flip a card over, y...
A row of premium playing cards designed to look like ornate book spines on a wooden shelf, visually representing the idea of books featuring playing cards.

When Plot Meets Pack

If you love stories, chances are you’ve stumbled across books featuring playing cards without even realising it. They pop up in all kinds of places: mystery novels, fantasy adventures, historical d...
A luxurious red and gold deck of Theory11 playing cards displayed on a wooden table in a dimly lit room, representing the elegance and depth tied to the psychology of playing cards.

Mind Games and the Psychology of Playing Cards

Ever found yourself clutching an ace card like it was pure gold, even though deep down you knew it wasn’t enough to win the hand? Or maybe you’ve doubled down on a dodgy play just because, well, yo...
A flat lay of Piracy playing cards and gold skull coins on a wooden table, featuring spade cards with intricate designs; a moody tribute to card game folklore, including the legend of the Curse of Scotland playing card

Secrets, Superstitions and the Curse of Scotland Playing Card

You’d think a deck of cards is just… a deck of cards. Neatly stacked rectangles, four suits, a few royal faces, and maybe the odd Joker smirking at you from the pile. But tucked behind those crisp ...
Playing cards beside an antique pocket watch, representing the timeline of playing cards through history and design.

The Timeline of Playing Cards

9th century CEPlaying cards are thought to have first appeared in China during the Tang dynasty. These early cards, sometimes called “leaf” games, may have used paper money or domino-style designs....
Deadpool-themed Ace of Spades playing card featuring Deadpool riding a unicorn with rainbow accents, set against a backdrop referencing hidden symbols and numbers in playing cards.

Hidden Symbols and Numbers in Playing Cards

It’s easy to think of playing cards as just a way to kill time – a deck in a drawer, a pack you bring on holiday, a last-minute poker night with mates. But the deeper you look, the more curious thi...
A trio of stylised court cards featuring modern pop culture designs displayed in a grand, medieval-style hall.

Behind the Faces of Court Cards

You’ve probably held a court card in your hand dozens, if not hundreds, of times without really giving it a second thought. King, Queen, Jack... they’re just there, right? Regal, mysterious, slight...
Harry Potter-themed face cards featuring the four playing card suits, shown in a misty forest setting.

Unlocking the Mystery of Playing Card Suits

The suits in a standard deck of playing cards – hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades – are so familiar, it’s easy to forget they weren’t always there. But behind these four symbols lies a winding, c...
An ace card from each suit - spades, hearts, clubs, and diamonds - spread out on a dark wooden table beside a glass of whiskey with ice.

No Ordinary Ace Card

Everyone knows the ace card is a good one. It’s the one you hope to draw, the one that can turn a hand around, the one with just enough mystique to make it feel special. But behind its sleek simpli...