If you’re looking to sweep your significant other off their feet this Valentine’s Day with your thoughtfulness and creativity, you’re in for a treat that’s much sweeter than candy.
We’ve created a guide of the top 4 BEST Valentine’s Day gift ideas that involve…well, you guessed it: Playing Cards!
1. 52 Reasons Why (I Love You)!
A common Valentine’s Day gift idea that uses playing cards is “52 reasons…” It’s simple: You write 52 reasons why you love your significant other (fun fact, I created this exact gift for my boyfriend a couple years ago). This 52-card deck gift idea isn’t only subject to couples. You can even design a custom Valentine’s Day deck for your best friends AND family members: “52 Reasons Why You’re My Best Friend” or “52 Reasons Why You’re an Incredible Mom”.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
1. One classic 52-card deck
2. Hole Punch
3. Binder Rings or Ribbon
4. Sharpie
5. Glue
2. Adorable Playing Card Puns
It is often admitted that one of the most desirable characteristics people look for in a partner is a dazzling sense of humor. If you want to personalize a Valentine’s Day card for your love, do so by using puns and playing cards. What’s better than those two, right? Simply place either a King or Queen on construction paper and write: “You’re the Queen of My Heart” or “You’re the King of My Heart”. You can even use the “2” of any suit and say: “You’re ‘2’ Sweet”. If you’re a PUN master and up for the challenge, then use any number or face from a deck of cards and create 52 loving puns to give as a gift!
Here’s What You’ll Need:
1. A Classic 52-card deck
2. Construction Paper
3. Scissors
4. Envelope
5. Sharpie
6. Glue
3. Playing Card Home Décor
Treat Valentine’s Day like Christmas and decorate your home with playing cards. Sometimes Valentine’s Day can fall short because it doesn’t ‘feel’ like the holiday when you’re working all day or have other obligations to worry about. DECKorating will surely create a romantic and loving atmosphere that will remind your significant other how much you love and care about them.
1. Make a heart-shaped wreath by using playing cards and hang
it on your front door, or anywhere else you see fit
2. Hang only playing cards with the heart suit on a mantelpiece or somewhere your significant other can admire it while they’re at home
3. Instead of putting roses by their bedside, create a
playing card bouquet
With Shuffled Ink, create your own unique card game that’s all about your significant other or your relationship. Some accessories that come along with your card game include card size, card stock, number of cards, booklets, instructions, dice, etc. There are so many Valentine’s Day game ideas you could consider, such as creating a questions game about milestones in your relationship (where you met, your favorite date spot, where you had your first kiss, etc.)
This Valentine’s Day, allow playing cards to spark some magic into this special day and put your creativity and love for your significant other to new heights. We can assure you that these playing card designs (especially hilarious puns) will mean the world to the person you love.
● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk
● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk
● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk
According to the origin of the astrological sign, your personality is far from coincidental. We all have personality traits…and so do games. Now, don’t just play astrology games for adults, discover which popular adult board game or card game you are based on your sign!
Astrology Games
Aries
(March 21 to April 19): Cards Against Humanity Card Game
Attributes: headstrong, born leader, outspoken
A person with the first sun sign, Aries, reflects the card game Cards Against Humanity. They may come across as arrogant, just as this card game can appear offensive because of its politically incorrect content. An Aries’ blunt and bold behavior translates well with the risqué tendencies portrayed in this popular card game.
Taurus (April 20 to May 20): Monopoly Board Game
Attributes: independent, persistent, enjoys luxuries, strives for wealth
While you may not think of Monopoly as an astrology game for adults, its objective is to drive your opponents into bankruptcy without letting yourself get bankrupt in the process. A Taurus is often described as “good with money,” which comes in handy when having the most money at the end makes you the winner.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20): Scrabble Board Game
Attributes: creative, communicative, intellectual
People born under this Sun are often writers and journalists, as they are excellent with words. The board game Scrabble reflects the intellectual and creative mind of a Gemini. In this game, you create words (found in a standard dictionary or lexicon) from your quantity of seven tiles. A Gemini’s common love for reading means they are constantly exposed to new concepts, ideas and vocabular, making it easy for a person with this sign to come up with words that will earn them the highest points.
The board game title Sorry! comes from the apologetic “sorry” issued when a player consistently negates their opponent’s moves. It’s the perfect astrology games for adults who are unapologetic Cancers. The game’s theme is to bump other board game pieces back to their starting position, so your pawn can move ahead and win the game. Whichever type of Cancer you are, you’ll have a great time whether you mean it when you say “sorry” or not.
Leo (July 23 to August 22): Pictionary Board Game
Attributes: theatrical, competitive, inventive, love the spotlight
During the board game Pictionary, you draw hints for your teammates, and they guess the word you are trying to depict. While a Leo may or may not be your average Picasso, their unwavering passion for tasks and projects mean they always strive for the gold medal (never satisfied with silver). And since they’re comfortable being the center of attention, they won’t crack under pressure when asked to draw something intense…like a carburetor.
Virgo (August 23 to September 22): Sudoku Puzzle Game
A Virgo’s weaknesses can sometimes be inflexibility, which is actually a strength while playing the logic-based, combinational number-placement puzzle Sudoku. Just like their astrology board games for adults, Virgos look into relationships, problems, games, etc. with a magnifying glass, and each task they perform must be free of imperfections. This game honors a Virgo’s concentration through numbers and calculation. Not to mention, a common Virgo career is a financial analyst.
Libra (September 23 to October 22): Diplomacy Board Game
Attributes: diplomatic, open-minded, balanced
Both the Libra astrology sign and the board game Diplomacy focus on pure negotiation and peace. These positive strategies emphasize a Libra’s sense of balance in never wanting to hurt or demean anyone. Their loyalty plays well during this military game, as the objective is to make negotiations and alliances.
Scorpio (October 23 to November 21): Clue Board Game
Attributes: investigators, trustworthy, devoted
A Scorpio can be trusted with your darkest secrets, but they will never reveal their own. Often lawyers and investigators, a Scorpio’s detective skills match the board game Clue. This game for adults is perfect for this astrology sign, since navigating from room to room through a clue-filled mansion to expose a perpetrator…is perfect for the mysterious Scorpio mastermind.
Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21): Apples to Apples Card Game
Attributes: flexible, idealistic, great sense of humor, enthusiastic
To winApples to Apples, seven of your cards must be picked by your opponents over the course of the game. It’s important to completely understand the player choosing the cards because everyone’s humor is different. Some may go for literal, comical or even the most outrageous choice. Their adaptable personality allows them to easily change their viewpoints and, in terms of this card game, play a card the player will most likely choose.
Capricorn (December 22 to January 19): Battleship Guessing Game
When a Capricorn takes risks, they don’t do so blindly. Strongly influenced by one’s unwavering ambitions, they rarely act impulsively. While Battleship is primarily thought of as a guessing game, it actually calls for applied strategy. Even though you are unable to see the ships you are trying to sink, you can still increase your chances of winning by carefully placing your own ships in a way that will evade your opponent. Someone born Capricorn thrives in this game setting, for their patience and calculating capabilities lead to ship-sinking fruition.
Aquarius
(January 20 to February 18): Candy Land Board Game
Attributes: easy-going, friendly, spontaneous
Aquarius’ are seekers of the new. The children’s board game Candy Land complements this sign’s desire to constantly move forward, even if that means venturing into unfamiliar territory. While not necessarily an adult board game, this astrology sign’s spontaneity allows little time to react to certain instances. Plus, their hopeful nature means they excel on any path they find themselves journeying (even if that means strutting amid candy cane skies and alongside sweet princesses).
Pisces (February 19 to March 20): The Game of Life Board Game
Attributes: imaginative, desire to escape reality, compassionate
By nature, a Pisces is a dreamer; an escapist in life. As they often focus on their inner journey, they spend a lot of time soul-searching. The Game of Life embraces a Pisces imaginative mind and need to pursue the beauty in life. As this game navigates through the many ups and downs life throws in their direction, a Pisces views this cardboard world of life, and life itself, through rose-colored glasses.
Make Your Own Astrology Game for Adults
If your zodiac sign does not completely represent your personality and attributes, and the particular game listed above is way off, then consider personalizing your very own game! After all, you know yourself better than anyone else. Create custom astrology games for adults that fully represents exactly who you are.
Custom card games make great gifts, but now your attention is turning to entertaining company and believe it or not, with a little holiday magic you can turn some of your existing card games into holiday custom card games.
CANES
Based on the traditional card game Spoons, the first person to secure 4 of a kind (ex. 4 aces, 4 threes, etc.) will grab one of the spoons at the center of the table. Instead of using traditional spoons, use festive candy canes or other holiday treats that are easy to handle and relate to the holiday season! Once you notice someone pick up a candy cane, you are free to grab one yourself. Much like musical chairs, whoever doesn’t get one fast enough is out of the game.
Need:
Classic 52-printed deck of cards
3 to 13 players
Candy Canes; one fewer than there are players (ex. If there are 5 players, then use 4 candy canes)
HOLIDAY-THEMED PICTIONARY
Whichever holiday you celebrate, use Pictionary as a catalyst to get your family and friends to draw specific festive items like a Christmas tree, a menorah for Hanukkah, a Kwanzaa kinara, etc. Use flash cards to list different holiday elements that can be drawn by the players. Whichever team has the most correct answers wins!
Need:
Flash cards
Chalkboard or Whiteboard
Marker, Chalk, Pen, Pencil
3 or more players per team
Timer
RING OF FIRE
The traditional game Ring of Fire is played by adults 21 and over, where you place a classic 52-card deck around your choice of alcoholic beverage. Transform the beer typically used in this game into a festive drink like spiked eggnog or cider. You can even alter the game’s rules and relate them to whichever holiday you celebrate. For example, when you pick up a ‘9’ only rhyme with holiday-themed words. Remember, if someone picks up one of the playing cards and creates a break between two cards, they have to drink the designated spiked drink!
Need:
One classic playing card deck
One holiday-themed alcoholic beverage
Individual Alcoholic Beverages for Guests
DECK THE CARDS
Along with decking the halls, consider decking your cards! Create your own custom playing cards, custom card games and custom board games with Shuffled Ink. Here are some popular examples of creating custom holiday games!
Family Holiday Cards – Can’t choose just one photo to send to family and friends as your holiday card? Create a 52-card compilation of photos that commemorate your family’s special memories from 2018.
Holiday Recipes – Print 52 of your favorite holiday recipes onto playing cards for family and friends. Easily accessible and mobile, you can always have your recipes handy during any occasion this holiday season.
Flash Card Story Time – Use flash cards to teach your kids about your family’s holiday traditions, as well as explain why you celebrate your specific holiday.
Custom Holiday Games – Channel your inner festivities by creating your own original holiday-themed game (playing cards, card games, board games) to play with family and friends this year.
Shuffled Ink is a multigenerational family business that specializes in printing custom playing cards, tarot & flash cards, packaging and more for businesses and individuals worldwide.To receive complimentary samples of our card products, include your delivery address and phone number on your custom quote request form.
● Official Shuffled Ink website: ShuffledInk
● Make Your Own Custom Playing Cards at: ShuffledInk
● Make Your Own Custom Card Games at: ShuffledInk
As the temperature drops, and the leaves change from green to orange and then to yellow, dismiss your pumpkin spice latte cravings and channel autumnal essences into your customized playing cards, personalized tarot cards and card game designs.
Typically, the commencement of Fall hails for decorative pumpkin socks and T-shirts, and although incredibly spirited, they just aren’t going to be enough this year. Think bigger; think spookier.
Here are 6 suggestions to consider while creating your own Halloween-influenced product with Shuffled Ink.
52 HALLOWEEN RECIPES
Preparations for the holidays can be a bit overwhelming, especially when you have to remember all of your family traditions, including the yummy desserts and dishes. Consider printing your Halloween recipes on a deck of cards. Easily mobile and accessible, you’ll be whipping out the creepy crawling spider cupcakes and zombie-finger cookies just in time for Halloween parties. And when your family and friends are “dying” to know how exactly you perfectly molded the dough to resemble a skeleton head, you can supply them with their own deck of scary good recipe cards.
FORTUNE TELLER TAROT CARDS
Channel your inner psychic abilities if you plan on dressing as a mystic fortune teller this Halloween. But handpicking the perfect outfit is only a fraction of your costume responsibilities. Don’t forget the most important accessory: Your one-of-a-kind deck of personalized tarot cards (Halloween style, of course). Personally equipped with distinctive symbols and designs, your original artwork will leave people wondering whether you truly practice the art of divination. Consider going above and beyond by setting up a fortune-telling booth. After all, it’s Halloween – where you can dress however you wish and, perhaps, end up looking into the future, too.
“ACE” TRICK OR TREATING
While every other house in the neighborhood passes out the same old basic candies, you can fill those buckets with Halloween-inspired playing cards! Customize your own unique artistry with help from our expert design team, and give the trick or treaters something that’ll last longer than a chocolate bar. The cards, reflecting your very own creative purposes, will channel your take on Halloween’s notorious entities: pumpkins, ghouls, candy corn, flying broomsticks, etc. Not to mention, parents will thank you for saving them a trip to the dentist.
COSTUMES OF HALLOWEEN’S PAST
Whether your kids have dressed up as a pumpkin, ghost or Demogorgon, search through your Halloween archives and print those terrifyingly adorable photos on playing cards! Much like a holiday card, feel free to send these decks to relatives, family friends and co-workers. It’s the perfect way to reminisce on the costumes of Halloween’s past while also showing your family completely “decked” out.
MATCHING CARD GAMES
With candy-filled tummies and faces oozing syrup-based blood, allow your kids to enjoy Halloween even more so with fun card games. Matching games promote cognitive development like memory enhancement, classifying skills and imaginary growth. And just because you’re customizing a children’s game doesn’t mean your Halloween designs have to be limited. It’s Halloween after all, so make artwork as frightful, friendly or ferocious as you desire!
BOARD GAME THRILLS
One of the most important aspects while developing your own board game, especially one with a Halloween theme, is there can never be enough creativity. Rather than seeing candy corn as a treat, know that it can just as easily be used as a game piece. Determinate upon your target audience, allow your board game to truly come to life with a spooky storyline, and make sure your visuals are as spine-chilling as you see fit. Perfect for a cozy night at home or a thrilling Halloween party, your originally designed board game will send your guests running home to create a game of their own!
Hopefully, these ideas have sparked your desire to bring Halloween to life with custom playing cards, card & board games and tarot cards. Whenever you’re ready to begin working on your personalized project, know that our team of designers will help you from start to finish. Shuffled Ink can’t wait to turn your idea into a reality!
It’s game night! With tablets in hand, your family discusses which game to pick, and even your dog decides to bark his own suggestions, too.
Finally, you all agree on the classic game, Life.
Once all tablets are synced into game mode and each avatar is chosen, they move around your living room. As they investigate their surroundings, they sit on your couch, countertops and even your dog, Scout. But Scout doesn’t mind; he doesn’t even realize it. While your avatar is simply an added layer over our reality, it still shrieks at the sight of your dog…for everything in the living room can be seen, felt and heard by your avatar. Not to mention, the gaming experience feels real to you (the player), too.
When you roll the dice, your avatar moves five spaces on the very real board game in front of you. Then, an interactive bubble with text appears in your living room and a voice says, “You got a raise. Collect $1,000.” Even a short video pops up, featuring your avatar in a series of scenarios that show how you received the raise. With that, your avatar reaches down and from the square platform it stands on, pulls out the money earned and throws it in your direction. You flinch (you always do). Your tablet lights up in celebration, and the remaining cash falls, true to size, from your own ceiling as your digital gaming bank account increases.
You are still as shocked and overwhelmed as you were the first time you played. It continues to amaze you how revolutionary this degree of augmented reality has made your board game experience.
The game, so vivid and insanely real, makes for a spellbinding game night!
Instead of manually moving game pieces with your hand from space to space; instead of just reading a card with words to describe your next task, you experience something far less trivial than “winning”. You become immersed in your very own reality; it’s just kicked up about a dozen notches.
AUGMENTED REALITY
When we think about the future, our immediate thoughts go to stereotypical ideas often portrayed in books, movies and television shows: driving hover crafts; wearing shiny, silver jumpsuits; using holograms…fearing world domination via robotic artificial intelligence (plausible, but we won’t go there).
With the world’s many technological advances, it appears we are currently living in the “future”. But when you really think about it, no matter how much a game’s outward appearance is improved or altered, the ultimate inner objective is always the same: win. Now consider this…what if the future of games didn’t even revolve around winning at all?
In the future, perhaps the driving force to play board and card games will not be to “win,” but instead the focus will shift from “competition” to “experience”.
Augmented reality means to enhance our real-world environment by using screens to display overlaying images, sounds, etc. to create an added dimension to our reality. While the essence of gaming, both the winning and the experience, will remain the same as it has been for generations, the application and evolution of card and board games is constant and dynamic. Augmented reality will certainly be a focal point of how many games are developed, consumed and enjoyed.
So no matter what dimension or reality you are looking to create and share with the world, Shuffled Ink is the perfect partner to help bring your “future” card or board game concept to life!
In the past, when restaurants and bars promoted that they offered entertainment, they usually meant live music, karaoke nights, and the occasional arcade machine. More recently, a new trend is emerging that’s bringing in new patrons: bars and restaurants where you play card and board games.
It should be clear by now that card and board games are making a comeback in a big way. Classics like Monopoly and Sorry! remain popular, while newer titles like Settlers of Catan and Cards Against Humanity are finding their way into people’s living rooms around the world. Video game companies, once seen as the murderers of analog entertainment, are even making original card and board games based on their hottest properties. Eating and drinking establishments have noticed, and some are responding by becoming gaming establishments as well.
NOTABLE EXAMPLES
Some ambitious entrepreneurs are even opening brand-new bars and restaurants to cater to this crowd. For proof of this trend, we at Shuffled Ink don’t need to look much further than our hometown of Orlando. Cloak and Blaster, opened in 2014 by two married gamers, is a fantasy-themed pub stocked with more than 200 different board and card games. The wide selection, ranging from standards to rarities, shows that this isn’t a cash-in, but a passion project.
If you’re still asking yourself whether there’s really a demand, the creation of this bar was funded through a Kickstarter drive. It raised more than double the amount of its initial goal, which it reached in 36 hours.
Cloak and Blaster is also far from the only example. The Toronto-based Snakes and Lattes, which calls itself “the first board game café in North America,” sells games in addition to coffee. Kingmakers, which also opened its first of two locations in 2014, provides “Board Game Sommeliers” who help customers find new games and explain the rules. From The Playroom in San Francisco to The Uncommons in New York City, you can find tabletop gaming on countertops anywhere you look.
WHY IS THERE SUCH A DEMAND?
There are a few possible reasons for this hot new trend. The surge in the popularity of card and board games might be part of the retro craze in general. All things ‘80s and ‘90s are coming back, and geek is chic – not to mention lucrative. Restaurants and bars have been riding that wave for a while now with weekly trivia nights and pinball games. Making space for shelves with Candy Land and Exploding Kittens is a logical next step.
However, there could be a deeper reason. Wondering why there’s a demand for bars and restaurants where you play card and board games is sort of like wondering why there’s a demand for bars, restaurants, and board games. They all seem to have different functions, but something they share is providing a space – and an excuse – for social interaction. Hana Schank wrote in The Atlantic that cafes and pubs with board games help customers “connect with people in a public/private space” and “work with friends and family toward a clear goal.”
If you love board games and card games enough that these places interest you, Shuffled Ink can help you actually make your own. Learn more about our custom board and card game services, then request a quote today.
There aren’t many things that say more about your brand than its marketing collateral. Not only does marketing collateral provide key information about your business, it is made up of tactile pieces of material with weight and character that physically represent your brand. This can be especially important for companies that make digital-only products because it may be the only tangible thing people end up associating with your brand.
THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BROCHURE!
The classic trifold brochures have become a marketing mainstay, and for good reason: they allow you to convey a lot of information in a compact form. However, with commonality comes complacency and, over the years, brochures of all kinds have become easy for potential customers to ignore and merely toss aside. You should consider utilizing more unique forms of collateral to help yourself make an impression that moves your piece to the top of the pile.
UNIQUE BRANDED COLLATERAL
So, what is there beyond business cards and brochures? Well, it turns out there’s a lot. We suggest offering branded collateral that people can actually use. For example, you can put out coffee mugs, phone cases and, most of all, playing cards. Custom, branded playing cards are a great way to keep your company in people’s mind. It’s also one of the most effective long-term types of marketing collateral, because people don’t lose or throw away playing cards. They may put them away, or perhaps on the shelf for a while, but eventually, they’ll get in the mood for a game. When they pick your branded playing cards back up, they’ll be reminded again and again of your business, products and services.
Your marketing materials should be an investment, not a money pit. Creating strategic marketing collateral for your business will help you build brand awareness, connect with prospects, and ultimately convert them into lifelong customers.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET SPECIFIC!
It’s a good idea to have a piece of marketing collateral that gives people more general information about your brand, but don’t rely on it to do everything. Create a variety of pieces that are geared toward specific uses; that way, you can help your audiences concentrate on the content that is tailored directly to their needs.
THINGS TO CONSIDER FOR BRANDED COMPANY COLLATERAL:
Make It Worthwhile: It’s been said that you have to spend money to make money. High-quality collateral will demonstrate to others that you’re very invested in your company and they should be, too.
Inspire People to Connect: Just like other forms of marketing, your collateral should include calls to action and contact info. Otherwise, you’ve inspired your audience to take action, but don’t show them how.
Integrate Your Communications/Messaging: Don’t silo your audience. Make them aware of all the places your brand exists (both online and in the physical world) and direct them to destinations that will foster wanted actions.
Infuse Your Collateral with Your Brand’s Personality: Humans want to connect with other humans. Infuse your brand’s voice and visual personality into your collateral so your audience is able to form a personal bond with your business.
To design custom playing cards for your own business, check out Shuffled Ink and start standing out from the pack today!
In this day and age, tarot cards are used for two types of readings: question readings and open readings. Variations of tarot cards have been used for centuries for everything from entertainment to knowledge of the paranormal and divination to many, many other things.
There is absolutely no reason to restrict yourself to any one way to use tarot cards! In fact, you can use them for everything from playing games to attempting to see into the murky waters of the future. There are an unlimited number of inventive ways to use tarot cards.
Below are a few ways tarot cards can be used for personal and communal entertainment, showmanship, and to promote creativity.
WHAT ARE TAROT CARDS?
To the layperson, tarot cards are bound up in mysticism and magic. The name tarot probably brings to mind visions of fortune tellers divining the past, present, and future. This is one inventive way to use tarot cards, but there are many more.
The intricate artwork found on these cards often goes unmentioned. The design of the cards is meant to represent aspects of the real and spiritual world. In this way, the cards tell a story with each and every spread.
The user shuffles the cards and picks one at random to tell a story about their life. Who knows, you might even be able to see an important event in your future!
GAMBLING
Users can come up with various gambling games to play with tarot cards. Now this doesn’t mean you should use the cards to take your friends money, but rather it’s just one more unique and inventive way to use tarot cards.
After shuffling the deck, players can guess what card will be pulled. Other players can bet against certain cards being pulled from the deck. Still other players can bet on a set of cards being pulled from the deck at lower odds but with a higher gain.
However you use tarot cards for gambling, it’s sure to be a fun time. Remember, though, it’s better to bet pennies than dollars!
MAGIC
Magicians have long used tarot deck in their acts. In fact, many magic tricks rely on the use of these cards. Plain playing cards can get the job done, but a tarot deck adds a touch of elegance and mysticism all magicians, and their spectators, will notice.
WRITING
Another inventive way to use tarot cards is as an aid against writer’s block. This might sound silly, but don’t knock it until you try! A writer can shuffle the deck, pick several cards at random, and use the spread of the cards to write a story. This is a great way to build new narrative elements into an otherwise stale story.
ART
Artists, such as painters and sculptors, can look to the artwork on tarot cards for inspiration. The colorful mystical quality of the card design can get the artist’s mind to start turning in new, imaginative ways. The result? Unique works of art.
Now that you know the almost unlimited number of inventive ways to use tarot cards, it’s time to get your custom set! Choose your own images, designs, card size, number of cards, instructions, booklets, and even include custom accessories and packaging! Click below to get started today.
Playing cards have been around since we all can remember. Many of us grew up playing games like Go Fish, Crazy Eights, Spoons, Gin Rummy, Solitaire, Bridge and much more. Some of us love cards so much, we’ve even invested in customized playing cards of our own design!
But what are some of the fun facts that make these cards so extra special? We’ve found seven fascinating facts you might not have known about playing cards and their history.
THE FIRST DECKS OF CARDS WERE CREATED IN IMPERIAL CHINA SOMETIME DURING THE 9TH CENTURY.
It is believed that the first printed card deck was made around 13 centuries ago and consisted of only 32 cards, which included all combinations of a pair of dice. The decks were initially printed on paper, wood and even bone.
THE FRENCH SUIT SYMBOLS WE USE IN CARD DECKS TODAY WERE ORIGINALLY DERIVED FROM GERMAN ONES DURING THE LATE 1400S.
The French suit symbols we are most familiar with (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades) are a variation of the German suit symbols used in the late 1370s. Those symbols include Acorns, Leaves, Hearts and Bells. Even earlier than that in the 14th century, the symbols were Cups, Swords, Coins and Batons, which were copied by the Italians. It wasn’t until the 1480s that the French suit symbols became popular and are still widely used today in America and other regions.
FACE CARDS WERE LATER ASSOCIATED WITH PROMINENT FIGURES.
While historical and literary figures were often associated with face cards, this was not the original inspiration for the courts. We developed this theory after the modern deck was established. For example, the French card decks (the version we use today) recognized the court cards as these figures: King of Hearts, Charlemagne; King of Diamonds, Julius Caesar; King of Clubs, Alexander the Great; King of Spades, King David from the Holy Bible.
THE FIRST BICYCLE® PLAYING CARDS WERE PRODUCED IN THE LATE 1800S.
The most iconic card deck known to Americans is the Bicycle brand. Dating back to 1885, Bicycle cards were used by (and continue to be used by) magicians, gamblers and card players across the globe.
MOST CASINO PLAYING CARDS ARE MADE OF 100% PLASTIC.
It is very common for casinos to have plastic cards for two main reasons: 1) they are better for frequent handling and last much longer than paper cards, and 2) they are significantly more difficult to write on, which in turn, makes it hard for players to try and cheat.
PLAYING CARDS ONCE HELPED AMERICAN WAR PRISONERS ESCAPE TO FREEDOM.
During World War II, the government partnered with the United States Playing Card Company to produce and ship out specially designed card decks to help lead American POWs to freedom. The cards were designed to peel apart when wet, revealing pieces to a secret map that helped them escape.
THE U.S. USED ACE OF SPADES CARDS TO SCARE THE VIET CONG DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.
Playing cards didn’t just help American soldiers during World War II. They also assisted them during the Vietnam War in 1966, two U.S. lieutenants had an idea to create psychological warfare among the Viet Cong. The lieutenants knew three very important things: 1) that the French used playing cards to foretell the future, 2) that the Ace of Spades signified a forewarning of death, and 3) that the Viet Cong were very superstitious people. So, they decided to use this information to create a very methodical scare tactic for their enemies. After contacting the United States Playing Card Company, they coordinated a shipment of thousands of crates full of only Ace of Spades cards to be sent to the warzone areas of Southeast Asia and dispersed throughout the jungles to frighten the Viet Cong. They were successful in their scare tactic.
Want to learn more about playing cards and how to create your own customized card decks? Click below for details!
If you’re looking to sweep your significant other off their feet this Valentine’s Day with your thoughtfulness and creativity, you’re in for a treat that’s much sweeter than candy.
We’ve created a guide of the top 4 BEST Valentine’s Day gift ideas that involve…well, you guessed it: Playing Cards!
“ACE” TRICK OR TREATING
Playing cards have been around since we all can remember. Many of us grew up playing games like Go Fish, Crazy Eights, Spoons, Gin Rummy, Solitaire, Bridge and much more. Some of us love cards so much, we’ve even invested in 
