DECK BY DECK

In case you find yourself wondering about the origin story of playing cards, read on. We bring you the account of the modern deck’s 600-year-old history and more.

- Ratan Priya

Like most things around us, modern-day games also hold cultural significance as they get passed on from one generation to another. The case of playing cards is no different. To someone not very concerned, a deck of cards may just be paper with colourful figures but in reality, they are the result of skilful engineering, historical innovations, art of design and just loads and loads of history. In the yesteryears, playing cards were part of favourite courtroom games, serving honour bound gambles and objects of amusement when used by magicians. You might be surprised to know that playing cards also served as currency for one point of time and carried cryptic messages for people. Clearly, there is a lot that needs to be dugout.

Unaccounted history