Tag Archives: playing cards

Valentine’s Day Special – The Suit of Hearts

Ah, Valentine’s day, the most romantic day of the year. And what’s more romantic than the symbol of a heart? Well, in playing cards, it’s not symbolic of just love.

Card suits have a long and disputed history. There are many different theories linking certain suits to certain meanings. The original french deck of cards, which closely resemble a modern day deck, was said to have split their suits into different parts of society.

Where other suits spanned knights and peasants, hearts are thought to have been representative of the clergy. Clergy were often seen as charitable, loving people. From that, the suit of hearts was often seen to symbolise three important things; God, charity and love.

Although we don’t quite have that same idea about the suit of hearts any more, I’m pretty sure most of us have fallen in love with an ace at some point.

We at Les Croupiers wish you a happy Valentine’s day, regardless if you’re setting up romantic plans or a blow out singles party. Have fun!

The Standard Playing Card Deck

A standard deck of playing cards is made up of fifty two cards. All of these cards are individually identified by three different characteristics. Suit, number and colour.

Initially the cards can be categorised by number. Starting at 2 and working up sequentially to 10, the cards are then given a royal position instead of a number. The 11 becomes a Jack, 12 is a Queen and 13 is a King. Following these the Ace is in the 14 position.

These are then separated into four groups of cards called suits. These suits are Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts and Spade. Each suit has one card of each number.

Finally the cards are coloured. The Hearts and the Diamonds are red and the Clubs and Spades are Black.

Using these three characteristics a player can identify any card, be it an 8 of Clubs, King of Diamonds, or just a red 3.