Casino Scotland

How many of us really think about the history of the casino game that we play? Well, a very few because we get engrossed by the game as soon as we start and from there it is all about winning. But there are other kinds of players, who derive pleasure in knowing more about their game of choice. It is for this reason that we find many casino related sites writing about the history of playing cards, especially games like blackjack, poker and baccarat.

Many historians state that card games must have originated in China as there are references made to card games as the game of choice for loyalty as early as the 9th century. The merchants, who travelled to China for trade, are the people who spread the games to India, Middle East and Egypt. In India playing cards were circular whereas it is in Egypt that the evolution of current day playing cards started in the 12th century.

In Egypt the decks that were used were known as Mamelike deck in honour of the regime of the Mamluk Sultans who were very fond of card games. If you are thinking of playing cards in Europe, then it has to be Spain, in 1371. Did you know that the first playing cards in Europe were made of wood with engravings? Four suits was a common game all over the world, but this game had different names and symbols according to where it was played. It was in the 15th century France, where the current suit of cards with Spades, Hearts, Diamonds and Clubs originated from. When the English accepted the French version of cards, it gained international recognition.

One very important innovation happened in the 18th century and it was the designing of reversible court cards. And finally America added its own contribution to card games and that would be the Joker, which happened in 1870.

So the next time you play a card game, you know that you are a part of an ancient history.